SEED TRADE IN FESCUE

Southland Times, Issue 24237, 21 September 1940, Page 13

SEED TRADE IN FESCUE

EXPORT TO AMERICA THREATENED LOCAL PRODUCTION PLANNED Southland farmers have for many years enjoyed a good market for Chewings fescue seed in the United States of America, and although statements have been made occasionally that efforts to produce seed commercially in America promised to be successful, there has been no slackening *of the overseas demand for New Zealand seed. A definite threat to the trade is indicated, however, in the following extract from an address given by Professor G. R. Hislop, head of the Division of Plant Industries, in the Oregon State College, at the annual convention of the Pacific Seedsmen’s Association, at Santa Calalina Island: — “Most of you are handling Chewings fescue, which has proved to be a valuable turf grass. Our experiments prove it to be fully as valuable as a pasture grass. Quite a number of people have suggested the certification of Oregon-grown Chewings fescue seed, and we have the matter under consideration. It is eaten readily by cattle and sheep and has splendid qualities of drought resistance. Those of you familiar with the low germination of the imported seed will be delighted with the high germination of the Oregongrown product. We expect to be able to supply all American needs in two or three years, and steps are being taken to improve producing and cleaning conditions, as the purity of some of our lots is a little too low.” This statement has caused some concern to Southland seed merchants who are anxious that in future local growers should offer for sale only the highest quality seed which will give the best possible germination. This will limit complaints which American farmers may have against imported seed. It has been suggested that it would be in the best interests of Southland growers if fescue prices were low for the next two or three years as. this would make Southland seed highly competitive against the Oregon seed, which is grown on land of much higher ‘value than the Mossburn area on which the bulk of the Southland seed is produced. If American production could be raised to about 200 tons a year it is probable that the Oregon growers would seek a duty against imported seed as was done against New Zealand brown top.