asked the Minister for Agriculture if germination tests have been carried out by his Department and by seed merchants on the quality of seed wheat, oats and barley; if he will state the results; also if he will state if enough seed wheat will be available for the wheat tillage quota.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Seed Germination Tests
Germination tests have been made of wheat samples taken by the Department's inspectors and of samples submitted by assemblers. Having regard to the conditions under which the crop was harvested the results are surprisingly good and in the majority of cases the germination exceeds the minimum figure of 88 per cent. prescribed under the Emergency Powers (Cereals) Order, 1946. The work of taking samples for germination is proceeding at present and any lots which may not reach the required standard will be directed for milling.
Germination tests of oats and barley carried out at the Department's Seed Testing Station indicate that the quality of the seed is up to the average of previous years.
It is expected that there will be enough seed wheat to meet requirements.
Is the Minister satisfied there will be a sufficient quantity of sound barley and oats for seed purposes?
There is no question about barley—that is all right. There is some indication that the amount of seed oats may be scarce. It is hard for the Department to give any information with regard to oats because a very large percentage is kept by farmers.
What they have kept is not fit for seed.
It is hard for us to indicate at this stage the position with regard to oats.
There are fears of a failure in the oat crop.