Interest in Maize Cropping

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18255, 25 November 1933, Page 14

Interest in Maize Cropping

THE maize market has been quiet 1 for months, yet Gisborne growers are still displaying much activity m regard to the now season’s crop. Young crops have done so poorly this season that some have had to bo disced ill and . resown, and farmers would not do this if they did not anticipate something better than the present market rates. Nominal quotations in Gisborne are at present. 3s 3d per bushel, f.o.b, but practically fio new business has been transacted with Gisborne for some months. During tho winter, there was a spurt of forward buying, and a considerable quantity of maize changed hands, but business effected since then has been of little consequence.

Thd Auckland market is being fed at present- as -a • result of-the forward business transacted, during the winter, tint the demand-from consumers is not great, according.to recent advice from ilie north.' The demand i.s only fair at Is to 4s 3d per bushel through store.

The outlook is not without hope. Maize must share in any general rise in commodity prices, but perhaps it might be one of the last commodities to feel the benefit because it was one of. the last to feel the stress of the slump conditions, in spito of the competition from South Africa, now ended for the time being.

The area under cultivation for maize last month approximated that of a year before, but some of the crops have been so affected by the unseasonable conditions that replanting, is desirable. Somo farmers are flitting in new seed at considerable expense, , but it remains to be seen whether all crops that would benefit by replanting will be so treated. In either case, the crops will be considerably later thpn, in a normal season and yields nffeqted accordingly.