Good Wheat Crop at Tumut?  

2 May 1952 Daily Advertiser (Wagga Wagga)

With the rains having apparently cleared temporarily, giving farmers opportunity to prepare land for sowing, it is likely that the wheat crop in the Tumut district will be only slightly less than last year's.

Mr. F. J. Nicholson, Tumut Agronomist, made this statement in his monthly crop re- port released yesterday. 

He added that good, soaking rains had been received in Gundagai, Tumbarumba and Tumut districts during April, and seasonal prospects in the whole region were excellent.

Up to five inches of rain had fallen in some places. 

Low temperature conditions were recorded during the latter end of April, with light falls of snow in the Tumbarumba district. Commenting on crops in the area, Mr. Nicholson reported:

Wheat: With the break to the weather, fallows are being worked and some late ground being ploughed for wheat sowing, mainly in the western portion of the Gundagai district and also to some extent In the Tumbarumba district. 

Due to the break in the weather, it is considered that wheat area in this district will only be a slight reduction on last year's area. 

Oats: Sowing still continuing, but nearly completed. 

Crops sown two or three weeks ago are making exceptionally good growth due to the abundant supply of moisture and warm temperature conditions. 

Prospects for the season are excellent. Grazing oat crops are making remarkably good progress and in some cases, particularly Tumbarumba, have already been fed off. 

Barley: Crops in the Tumbarumba and Gundagai districts are making excel lent growth, and some will shortly be grazed off.

Maize: Harvesting of the maize crop has begun in Gundagai district and will shortly start in Tumut area.

Due to the unsatisfactory growing conditions, combined to some extent with bush fires In the Gundagai area, maize yields per acre will be much down on last year. 

Potatoes: Potato harvesting will commence next Month at both Batlow and Tumbarumba. 

Disease caused considerable damage to crops this year and it is possible a new disease, Purple Tope Virus, could have a serious effect on yields in subsequent years in Batlow and Tumbarumba districts. 

Mr. Nicholson reported that the condition of pastures was excellent throughout the whole of the district following good rains in March and April. 

Stock generally were in good condition, and with plenty of pasturage available, combined with supplementary feeding of hay - or grain, stock will be maintained satisfactorily through the winter.

 Stock and farm water supplies are quite adequate.