February 2, 2012

Paddocks around Methven were a hive of industry earlier this week, with farmers harvesting ryegrass, wheat and other grain crops. While weather forecasters are predicting light showers some days next week, many wheat crops need solid sunshine for grain fill.
Seed and grains grown in Mid Canterbury contribute to an arable industry with a national revenue of $5 billion. Latest statistics highlight export revenue of $70 million from herbage seeds, such as clover and ryegrass, $85 million from vegetable seeds and $130 million from grain based products.
This season’s late harvest has seen feed wheat stocks carried over from last season snapped up by dairy farmers and feed manufacturers, though there is some new crop barley available.
Growers are reporting high yields from early harvested crops of barley, some some non-irrigated crops reading over 10 tonnes per hectare on combine yield monitors.