INCREASED EXPORTS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 210, 6 August 1931, Page 6

INCREASED EXPORTS.

DEVELOPMENT OF GRASS SEED MARKET. Following the reading of an interesting paper by Mr E. Bruce Levy, ot the Department of Agriculture, on strain developments in New Zealand grasses, clovers, etc., in which the high value of certain of the Dominion’s seeds was stressed, a refreshing contrtibution to the subject of additional markets for Dominion products, namely seeds, was made by Mr A. C. Cathie, a representative of the Seed Merchants’ Association, at a conference of grassland research workers and other interests in Palmerston North yesterday. The chairman, Mr A. H. Cockayne, assistaiu-Director-General of Agriculture, had enlarged upon Mr Levy’s remarks by stating that not only could New Zealand produce the highest quality of pasture seeds, but could produce them in commercial quantities. Discussing the paper, Mr Cathie said that at present the concern was to meet the demand. In respect of New Zealand white clover the demand from British farmers alone exceeded the supply and there was a good market awaiting increased exports. As to cocksfoot, the Akaroa seed was in good request and the point was that merchants overseas asked for this type. Though seed grown in other parts of New Zealand might be equally as good, the difficulty was to overcome the name; “New Zealand” would perhaps be a better term as the Akaroa farmers could not supply the market in full.

Browntop, added Mr Cathie, was not a seed which had been saved in large quantities in the past, and when the gathering of the seed had been extended and a market opened up in the United States, the authorities there had placed a stiff tariff on the product—which was eminently suitable tor lawns, bowling greens and the like —because it was iikely to interfere with the sales of a domestic seed of a similar kind. He suggested that the New Zealand Government take the matter up with the United States authorities. Even if the duty were reduced to half it would allow the New Zealand farmer to benefit to the extent of many thousands of pounds annually. The crops of chewings fescue, added Mr Cathie, ran from 500 tons to 1000 tons a year and if the overseas market could be developed it would be of great benefit to New Zealand. He estimated the value of the crop in a normal season at £BO,OOO and the income from this source had saved many a farmer in the south.