MID-CANTERBURY is the centre of the main small seed growing area of New Zealand and the purpose of this paper, is to show how the growing of these seeds-in particular, the seeds of herbage species-relates to the general farm programme; what problems the seed trade is facing at present; and what might be done to improve the position. The extent to which herbage seeds contribute to the total farm income depends on a number of factors, including soil type, rainfall, nearness to markets and, last but not least, the personal preference of the farmer.
