WHEAT GROWING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 June 1941, Page 3

WHEAT GROWING

ACREAGE IN THE WAIRARAPA DECISION OF PRODUCTION COUNCIL. STEPS TO SECURE ADEQUATE LABOUR. (By N. Lamont, Local Organiser, Primary Production Council). It can be accepted without any question that the sentiments expressed at a recent meeting of the Masterton Production Council, truly reflect the feeling of all farmers in the district. At this meeting it was resolved to support in full, the request that the district should double the area normally grown in wheat and it was agreed, after recognising the council's responsibility to take steps to ensure an adequate supply of harvesting labour and machinery, that little more should be necessary than to bring the matter to the notice of all prospective wheat growers. Certain points incidental to the programme were, however, discussed and some suggestions made that should be of general interest. For instance, it was pointed out that an increase in the area in wheat might mean a reduction in the area of other crops and it must be stressed that it would be very undesirable to sacrifice such crops as oats, or fodder crops for cheese-sup-ply dairy herds. While it was fully appreciated that .the rape crop is closely involved with wheat insofar as a sound rotation often includes both, it was considered that where practicable rape might well be sacrificed in favour of wheat. In this connection it was strongly recommended that hill country farmers make full use of available areas of flat to grow rape and release the plains country for harvested crops. It is, of course, realised that excessive cereal cropping may have a very detrimental effect on soil fertility and soil heart, but it is submitted that the rules of sound rotational cropping may justifiably be set aside at a time like the present and that if kept within reasonable bounds — depending on the class of country —no very serious ill-effects will ensue.

PAST ACREAGES. While it is obvious that a 100 percent increase in wheat acreage cannot be achieved by our regular wheat growers alone, it is thought unlikely that many growers would be involved who had had absolutely no experience with this crop. It is of interest in this connection to note that on the 1933-34 season nearly 1.700 acres of wheat were grown in this district. So that although our average over the past few years has been little over 1,000 acres, the proposed increase to 2,250 acres is not beyond reasonable expectation and indeed there can be little doubt that if every farmer who has grown wheat at any time in the past ten years were to grow it this year, our quota would be easily reached.

SPRING SOWINGS. It was unfortunate that the appeal came rather late to influence the sowings of winter wheat and consequently we must look to spring sowings to make up the quota. It' is probable, therefore, that although some areas in rape last year may still be available, most of the new season’s wheat will follow turnips, swedes or grass. Where heavy pugging has been the result of feeding off roots, the best possible crop of wheat may not be obtained but on the lighter country or where ploughing can be completed early and under dry conditions, perfectly satisfactory results should follow. Wheat after grass is a practice that is thoroughly recommended by experienced growers provided the proper procedure is adopted. This consists essentially of thoroughly breaking up the turf- layer before ploughing. This is absolutely essential for success and poor crops are almost certain if the turf layer is turned under whole. Deep cultivation after ploughing may suffice in some circumstances but thorough discing, or cultivating on stoney lands, before ploughing is the more thorough and effective practice.

IMMEDIATE PROGRAMME. The immediate programme, therefore, for prospective wheat growers is to commence the preparation of the ground immediately, if a grass paddock is to be used, or as soon as the crop at present in the area can be cleaned up. The varieties of spring wheats available have already been discussed in these columns. Briefly the recommendations are: Cross Seven for Aug-ust-September sowing on strong country; Solid Straw Tuscan (or Fyfe-Tus-can if available) for lighter ground, and Tainui for “short season" conditions. In other words Tainui is to be recommended where late sowing is necessary or where the country dries out early in the summer. ECONOMIC ASPECT. , Finally another point should be mentioned, which was discussed at the Production Council meeting—the economics of wheat growing. Suffice to say that it was agreed that under normal conditions a wheat crop on the average produces just as good a return as a fattening crop such as rape. Under present conditions, therefore, with the meat export position so obscure, no one need hesitate, on the score of economics, to increase their wheat area and decrease tile area devoted to fattening crops.