asked the Minister for Agriculture if, in reference to his Department's advertisements in the daily papers of the 30th March, 1946, regarding wheat varieties suitable for sowing, he will state the reasons why "Atle" and "Kolben" were omitted from the list, in view of the satisfactory results obtained in the past from sowings made up to mid-April of both varieties; and whether sufficient of the varieties mentioned in the advertisement were available for the considerable area unsown on the 30th March.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Seed Wheat Advertisements.
As there is a risk that in certain areas wheat of the varieties "Atle" and "Kolben" would not ripen satisfactorily when sown in April the sowing of these varieties in such areas in that month might result in serious loss to growers and could not, therefore, be generally recommended by my Department.
There are, however, districts where wheat growers have obtained satisfactory results from sowing "Atle" and "Kolben" wheat early in April and no doubt farmers in those areas will follow the same practice again this year. Having regard to this consideration there should be sufficient seed of the later spring varieties to meet requirements.
Why should an advertisement of that kind be issued by the Department, suggesting to people all over the country that it was not wise to sow "Atle" and "Kolben" at that date? I think the general experience of the agricultural community is that they could be sown without any risk whatever, up to the middle of April, and in some cases up to the end of April.
Does the Minister realise the burden imposed upon merchants, who are seeking to distribute seed and to facilitate the wheat-growing policy, by publishing advertisements of that character in the first week of April? Is he aware that one firm which had 30,000 barrels of "Atle" wheat invested in it at 72/6 a barrel, for which they got 60/- when they returned it to the suppliers, who used it as millable wheat? Does not the Minister think, if it is the intention to publish advertisements of that kind in April, that he ought, at least, to advise distributors that certain varieties would be recommended about the 1st March, and that after the 1st April only certain other varieties would be recommended, so that persons endeavouring to do their best in the general plan would not be mulcted in the huge sums of money that some merchants were this year? Will the Minister look into the matter?
Yes.
Does the Minister realise that a great deal of inconvenience was caused to merchants by what happened? Evidently the same difficulty was experienced in different areas. Because of the advertisement some farmers were reluctant to sow "Atle" when it was absolutely all right to sow such seed.