Improved Strain of Timothy Now Available

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 74, Issue 2, 15 February 1947, Page 130

Improved Strain of Timothy Now Available

By

J. H. CLARIDGE,

Agronomist, Wellington.

SUPPLIES of an improved strain of Certified timothy pasture seed are now available in New Zealand. That development assumes added importance in the light of the rapid increase in production of this seed in the Dominion in the past 10 years. Instead of importing up to 100 tons a year, on the basis of the 1946 crop the country has become virtually self-supporting in timothy seed.

'“piMOTHY is one of the few pas- ■ A ture plant seeds which in the past has not been produced in New Zealand in . sufficient quantities to meet the country’s requirements, and seed has been imported from the United States of America to supplement the relatively small production. It is estimated that during the three years preceding the war 100 tons or a little more of imported seed was sufficient, with the New Zealand crop, to meet domestic needs. During the war the importation of timothy was restricted to bare necessities and the retail market was at times undersupplied. That may explain the big increase in New Zealand production, which has risen from 37 tons (the produce of 380 acres) in the 1936-37 season to 127 tons (from 1086 acres) in the 1945-46 season. American Seed Inferior An observation of the various strains of timothy has shown' that the seed imported from America is usually of an inferior type, and Dominiongrown seed has been slightly better. But seed of the 5.48 strain of timothy raised by the Welsh Plant Breeding Station at Aberystwyth is vastly

superior to any natural strains for fodder production. Seed of this strain was introduced, into this country a few years ago, and has been multiplied under certification until more than 100 acres, averaging 2311 b. an acre of machine-dressed seed, were saved for seed last year. Supplies of Certified Standard timothy seed produced from these areas are now on the market, and farmers may with advantage include this seed in pasture mixtures where the species is desired. A selection of timothy more adapted to New Zealand conditions than the 5.48 strain is at present being multiplied, and when supplies are available seed will be distributed through commercial channels By encouraging production of Certified timothy seed it is hoped that, importations may be eliminated in favour of superior New Zealandgrown seed. Another aspect that' should not be lost sight of is the possibility of developing production until supplies of Certified seed are available for export. .