Trends in the Production and Export of New Zealand Seeds

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 79, Issue 2, 15 August 1949, Page 99

Trends in the Production and Export of New Zealand Seeds

TTOR many years New Zealand has been an exporter of a large variety of seeds. Toward the end of the war Britain’s plans for a big resowing programme, combined with the shutting off of supplies from the continent of Europe (particularly Denmark), brought.about an abnormal demand for seeds and

New Zealand’s exports reached very high levels. In each of the years 1938 and 1939 exports of perennial ryegrass, our most important pasture-seed export, were little more than 400 tons, but by 1944 they had reached the very considerable figure of 3335 tons; from then until 1948 exports in any one year did not fall below 2200 tons.

Accumulated stocks of pasture seeds caused Britain to reduce imports under her import-licensing system, but, though Italian ryegrass is at present completely excluded, the United Kingdom is still taking all the cocksfoot seed we can supply, limited quantities of perennial ryegrass, and some red and white clover.

New Zealand Market the Most Important

It must be firmly stated, however, that our export trade in seeds is of secondary importance; the most important market is the local market, and because the production of seeds has been rising steadily for the past 10 years this market has not suffered at the expense of the export trade. True, seed exports have been valuable earners of overseas currency, but the prime purpose of seed production, and with it the increased production and usage of Certified seeds of superior strain, is the improvement of our own pastures, thus increasing agricultural production generally.

Even during the peak export years between 75 and 80 per cent, of all New Zealand-grown perennial ryegrass seed was used in the country, and the solid expansion in the proportion of all Certified seeds is an extremely-encouraging factor today. In 1939 out of a total production of 5702 tons of perennial ryegrass seed only 33 per cent, was certified, but in 1947, when production had risen to 13,700 tons, the proportion of seeds certified had risen to nearly 70 per cent. Though production for the 1948 season fell sharply (because of seasonal conditions as well as the restrictions imposed by the United Kingdom), the proportion of the total which was certified still remained at about 70 per cent.

Another indication, of the importance attached to the quality of seeds is the increased use being made

of the Department’s Seed-testing Station. Twenty years ago the number of samples handled annually at the station was only 10,000, but the figure is now in the vicinity of 50,000, reflecting the growing appreciation by New Zealand farmers of the value of a knowledge of purity and germination.

Contribution to Productivity

The recognition of these featuresstrain, purity, and germinationis also reflected in the greater productivity of our land. On the assumption that 6 sheep are the equivalent of 1 cattle beast, then the number of “cattle units” carried per 100 acres has risen from 38.8 to 50.3 since 1920, an increase of 30 per cent. Good seeds and consequently improved quality of pastures can share in the credit for this enhanced carrying capacity.

The pioneering days, when great blocks of land were still available for development, are long since vanished. The area of cultivable land in New Zealand is strictly limited and, in fact, the area under cultivation has remained almost unchanged since 1920. Increased production, therefore, can be ensured only by better farming methods, improved techniques, and the use of “good seed.”

Continued Overseas Demand

Nevertheless, there is still a considerable overseas market for our seeds; Australia and the United States of America are good customers, but in spite of the restrictions, Britain is still our main overseas buyer. The total income from the sale of all seeds abroad exceeded £2f million in both 1946 and 1947, and some of these exports went as far afield as Belgium, the Netherlands, Canada, and even the Falkland Islands. The high quality of our seeds is evidenced by this continued demand from overseas,' and there is no doubt that the system of seed certification, together with the education and knowledge spread by my Department, has been largely responsible for the progress which has been made.

I do not think it can be repeated too often that New Zealand farmers are the best and most important customers for our seed industry; too much emphasis cannot be placed on the necessity for using New Zealand Certified seeds for the improvement of New Zealand’s own pastures. Along this path lies the goal of increased production and increased exports of our staple primary products. EDWARD CULLEN, Minister of Agriculture.