SHORTAGE OF GRASS SEED IN BRITAIN

Wanganui Chronicle, 9 November 1949, Page 5

SHORTAGE OF GRASS SEED IN BRITAIN

LONDON, Nov. 7.—A shortage of certain types of grass seeds is likely to affect sowing plans for short term production in Britain next season, it is stated by the “Farmers Weekly,” which adds that the country may have to face a deficit of about 8000 tons of timonthy. Supplies from Northern Ireland, New Zealand, Italy. Denmark, France, and Canada, are very uncertain because a shortage in America has led to that country making heavy purchases in Europe to satisfy requirements for a large reseeding plan. At the same time there is a overall world shortage of grass seeds and growers in Britain and New Zealand tended in recent years to look upon their production as a gamble. According to a National Farmers Union spokesman, the price of Danish cocksfoot has more than doubled, and those of meadow fescue trebled, due to American buying. Britain’s main concern for 1950 is the shortage of timothy and cocksfoot, but it is impossible to gauge the true position because retailers’ stocks are not known and the spring demand cannot be estimated.—Special N.Z.P.A. Correspondent.