asked the Minister for Agriculture if, in view of the low acreage under winter wheat as a result of weather conditions, he will state what is the position regarding supplies of spring wheat.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Spring Wheat.
The total quantity of seed wheat of spring varieties assembled this year by authorised assemblers is nearly twice the quantity assembled last year. These stocks, together with the quantity customarily provided by the numerous growers who keep their own seed, or supply other growers by interchange or direct sale, would suffice to sow about 700,000 acres. Seed being sold by millers under licence, and reserves of home-grown spring varieties, suitable for seed and held by millers, are sufficient to sow at least a further 30,000 acres. I think, therefore, that spring seed supplies, sufficient for all requirements, are available.
Is the Minister relying on the quantity of wheat kept this year by farmers as compared with last year?
In the calculation that is what is taken into account—the amount kept last year—but the Deputy will of course see that we have enough to sow 730,000 acres apart from the amount of winter wheat sold by assemblers. We have no exact account of the amount of wheat retained by farmers themselves but from the amount that we know is usually retained I think there is more than enough.
Is there much Atle wheat on hands at the moment? It is much earlier than Red Marvel or April Red. In our part of the country Atle is much the better wheat.
I could not give exact figures as to Atle but a good lot of this reserve is Atle.