RAIN NEEDED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26719, 13 March 1948, Page 4

RAIN NEEDED

Light Frosts Experienced

The weather continues dry in Norm Otago and a good rain is badly needed for some of the ground to be ploughed for wheat. The evenings and the mornings are beginning to be cold and light frosts iiave been experienced. Rain is also badly needed for the green feed crops which are being sown. Wheat.—The season is a very short one. and most of the wheat has already reached the mills and the stores. On the whole, yields this season jinve been somewhat disappointing. Oats.—These are exceedingly short in all grades and varieties. Because of the dry weather during the filling period yields have been adversely affected. The demand from the North Island continues to be keen, but merchants can offer only small lines.

ChaiT.—Owing to the small areas in oats and the fact that growers may be short of winter feed, there will be very little surplus chaff for sale. Seeds.—With the exception of Italian ryegrass, grass seed appears to be on the short side, particularly perennial. Germinations arc more satisfactory than they have been for years, owing to the dry harvest conditions. Short-rotation ryegrass is in good demand for retail purposes. As there has been a poor demand in the last two seasons, little Italian ryegrass has been saved this season. Cocksfoot has been in very short supply, and the weight of seed and yields have been very disappointing. White clover is weaker, but holders are not keen sellers. The drier conditions should- produce good samples of cowgrass and Montgomery red clover. There will not be the same quantity of seed available as there was for the last two seasons, but quality should be better. There, has been a good demand this week for Algerians, black barley, ryccorn, etc., for autumn sowing for green feed.