asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will give details concerning the result of wheat-growing operations carried out by or under the direction or supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture, including such farms as have been taken over since the emergency, stating (a) the number and location of such operations undertaken; (b) the cost to the State of such operations; (c) the average yield per acre; (d) the profit or loss in bulk on these operations.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Result of Wheat-Growing Operations.
In connection with the Compulsory Tillage Orders, no direct tillage operations were undertaken by the Department in 1910. In 1941 the operations undertaken did not include the growing of wheat. The land was available too late for that purpose. So far as 1942 is concerned, no particulars on the lines of the question can be furnished at the present stage. As regards the Department's farms at Athenry, Ballyhaise and Clonakilty, the growing of wheat on these farms is mainly concerned with experiments and investigations in the cultivation of wheat, the raising and testing of varieties, etc.