THE WHEAT CROPS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21308, 30 March 1939, Page 11

THE WHEAT CROPS

ESTIMATES OF YIELD By Telegraph —Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, March 29 Although the estimates of the Dominion’s average wheat yield this season range from as low as 24 bushels to the acre to 32 bushels, the general opinion in the country is that the crop will not greatly exceed 29 bushels.

The Government Statistician, in the January Abstract of Statistics, made an estimate of 32 bushels to the acre, but during January there was a considerable deterioration in crops, and in most cases farmers’ estimates have been proved, on threshing, to be on the generous side. Some consider that the Canterbury average will be perhaps a bushel under the Dominion average, and at that, the worst for many seasons. Last year’s average was 32.5 bushels to the acre, and was not sufficient to meet the Dominion’s requirements. This season, with a lower yield and a lower acreage, fairly substantial shipments will have to be brought from overseas.

.Competent observers consider that the Dominion wheat sowing next year should total something like 250.000 acres, as against this season’s 180,000 acres. The uncertainty of the mutton, lamb and wool markets contrast unfavourably with the fixed price for wheat, and the amount of work preparatory to wheat sowing that has been done recently in Canterbury is a sufficient indication of an increase.