COMMERCIAL NEWS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 169, 29 April 1943, Page 6

COMMERCIAL NEWS

GRAIN AND PRODUCE. THE ASHBURTON MARKET. Owing to the Easter holidayys, business oil the Ashburton grain, seed and produce market lias been quiet. There has been a better inquiry for potatoes for next month’s delivery and several sales at the Government fixed prices are reported. There is still a good demand for heavy Algerians and Duns. Lines of perennial and Italian ryegrass of high germination are in strong demand. There is also a good demand for cocksfoot, but most lines have now been marketed.

Other markets show no change. The following are prices quoted to farmers on trucks at country stations, sacks extra unless otherwise stated: Wheat— Tuscan, April, 6s 3d (less id a bushel deduction retained for insurance compensation). Hunters 6s od (less deduction), Pearl 6s Td (less deduction). Marquis 6s Od. Oats—Algerians 2s 6d ,to 3s, Gartons, A grade 3s 6d, B grade 3s 3d (nominal). Duns 2s 9d to 3s 3d. Chaff—G.B.O.S., £4 a ton. Bvegrass —Perennial 3s 6d to 4s 6d a bushel, Italian 3s 9d to 4s 6d a bushel, for good farmers’ dressed lines Clover— Red, 8d to 9s per lb, white (uncertified) Is to Is 3d per lb. The Egg Market. The buying price of hens’ eggs is 2s 4d and the retail price 2s 7d.

ADDINGTON STOCK SALE.

PRIME LINES SELL WELL

(P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, April 28. Unfinished stock at the Addington stock market to-day received slight attention when the effects of the dry weather ancl the close of the season were shown in the poor demand lor store lines. Prime fat cattle sold well and there was a similar demand for good fat sheep. Buyers refused to take poor lots. The lat lamb yarding comprised mostly freezing sheep which sold well up to schedule. The entry of 4700 store sheep included 2100 lambs. Competition was poor except for the best lots and prices generally were easier. The continued dry weather is still depressing tinmarket.

The 4500 fat sheep included a consignment of shipped wethers. There was a firm, market for quality sheep, but a slight casing for unfinished ewes. There was good trade competition for the best class. Freezing buyers also operated. A line of 103 shipped wethers made 29s 6d. Best local wethers made 37s 7d to 40s 7d. The top price tor ewes was 25s lOd,

A few lines of prime beef caused a rise of £1 a head for best fat cattle, but others were steady at the low rates ruling at the Easter sale. The yarding- of 467 comprised a mixed lot, butcher’s cattle and young heifers only eliciting competition. The market for old cows is now disappearing rapidly. Bullocks from the far south were eagerly taken by tho trade. Prime beef made 37s to 39s 6d per . 1001 b, medium 33s to 365, and secondary from 30s.

The poorest sale for many months was recorded in the store pens, where the entry of about 70 comprised mainly very ordinary cows of mixed breeding and colours. They attracted scant attention and only one pen in the whole sale drew competition. This was of nine Shorthorn cross steers in fair condition, considering the season, which sold as a truck lot at £lO 18s 6d. Four 18-months-old heifers made £3 18s 6d.

Fat Pigs—The small yarding caused a rise in values of 4s to 5s a head. Porkers wore in very short supply and bidding was keen. A medium entry of baconers caused a recovery of last week’s drop to the steady values of a fortnight ago. Pork made 73d to Bfd per lb and bacon 7gd to Bsd. Fat pigs sold as follow: Small weanors, 7s to 10s; best, 12s to 15s; slips, 16s to 20s; samll stores, 21s to 265; medium, 28s to 345; large, 35s to 40s.