MORE WHEAT IN SOUTHLAND

Southland Times, Issue 23932, 26 September 1939, Page 6

MORE WHEAT IN SOUTHLAND

BIG ACREAGE SOWN THIS SEASON FARMERS’ READY RESPONSE TO APPEALS Southland farmers have responded very readily to the request for them to grow more wheat this year. Orders have been very much greater than in recent seasons and it is estimated that between 5000 and 6000 acres of the crop will be sown in the province. The demand for seed wheat still continues and the Cross 7 and Taiaroa varieties which are now available may be sown as late as the first week in October. The officer in charge of the sale of seed wheat for Fleming and Company Ltd. stated yesterday that there had been a definite increase in the demand for seed. The wet weather during recent weeks had interfered with the cultivation of land and sowing, but during the last 10 days a very considerable amount had been sown. There were still substantial quantities of wheat in store to fill orders and late orders were being received. The amount of seed wheat actually sold from the mill and through merchants has been sufficient for about 3000 acres, but it is believed that sufficient for as much more has been retained by growers from their last crop or sold privately among farmers. This will bring the total area sown to 5000 or 6000 acres. The amount of wheat grown in Southland during recent years has not been substantial, but it is believed that the crop this year will be the heaviest for a number of years.

The greater acreage of wheat is attributed to the readiness with which farmers have responded to requests by the Minister of Industries and Commerce (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan} and the Controller of Wheat and Flour (Mr R. McPherson). Inquiries for wheat have been particularly numerous since the requests were made and late orders have been much bigger than usual.