asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he has any information as to the quantity of winter wheat sowed this year to date, how much winter seed wheat remains unsowed in the hands of farmers, and what steps he proposes to take to warn farmers against sowing winter wheat now that the season for such sowing is over.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Winter Wheat Growing.
Dr. Ryan
The latest reports available indicate that up to the end of February the area sown with wheat was about the same as that at the corresponding date last year, but I have no information as to the amount of winter seed wheat which remains on farmers' hands unsown. The leaflet on wheat growing issued by my Department indicates the latest dates on which it is advisable to sow the different types of wheat, and in the advertisements which appeared in the Press, wheat growers were advised to obtain this leaflet. The instructors in agriculture are available to give further advice in this regard whenever needed, as the latest date for sowing winter wheat varies according to the soil and climatic conditions in the different localities.
Is it substantially correct to say now that it is unsafe to sow winter wheat, and that anyone who wants to sow wheat should get spring wheat?
Dr. Ryan
That is substantially correct.
Does not the Minister think it advisable, in view of the immense acreage prepared for winter wheat, and the impossibility of sowing it owing to weather conditions, that he should issue a general warning to farmers not to sow any more winter wheat, but to switch over to spring wheat now until the middle of April? Otherwise you will have a catastrophe like you had last year.
Dr. Ryan
I do not think we had any catastrophe last year.
Is it not better to issue a warning before damage is done?