HARVEST OPERATIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25802, 24 March 1945, Page 5

HARVEST OPERATIONS

CONDITION OF GRAIN IMPROVED

The weather in North Otago has shown a big improvement this week, with bright, sunny days for the most part. Good progress has been made with the harvesting operations. The condition of the grain has improved, and if the present weather continues good the harvest should soon be finished.

Wheat. —Deliveries of local milling wheat 1o the mills are not heavy, as the moisture content, particularly of seme of the headed wheat, is still fairly high. However, wheat headed under present conditions should show a big improvement. There has been a strong demand from poultry feeders, and their orders are steadily being filled. Stook threshing, windrcwlng, and direct heading is now proceeding. Cross 7 wheat suitable for seed purposes is difficult to secure. Oats.—The white oats coming to hand are very discoloured, showing the effect of the earlier conditions. The oats for the mest part are well filled and are fairly sound. North Otago white oat crops are vielding well this season. In a number of cases these crops are badly lodged, and are difficult to harvest. White oats are being accepted at the full price on trucks to farmers. Chaff.—Good chaff is in short supply, and there is a strong demand for prompt and forward delivery from the North Island for good bright oaten sheaf quality. , . Seeds.—Seed markets are very quiei. Growers for the most part are busy with their grain harvest, and consequently very little seed has been on offer. The late seeded red clover crops show a better premise than the earlier seeded crops, and if the present weather holds the seed will be satisfactory. The retail demand is very quiet.