COMMERCIAL NEWS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 65, Issue 43, 30 November 1944, Page 7

COMMERCIAL NEWS

GRAIN AND PRODUCE. THE ASHBURTON MARKET. V * Ashburton 1 grain, seed and produce merchants report a quiet period on the local market. Wheat of, all descriptions has now been dealt with and feeding requirements will probably be short before the new wheat is available. Oats are still saleable, but supplies are limited. Odd lines of certified ryegrass have been sold during the week, as next season’s values, will probably open lower than was. the case last season. All crops are looking exceptionally well, and merchants anticipate handling a large quantity of seeds next harvest. Potatoes are finished for the season, and inquiries are still coming to hand. Other markets are unchanged. Market Prices Ruling. The range of prices is as follows, all prices on trucks at country stations, sacks extra, unless otherwise stated: Wheat—Tuscan 6s 6!d per bushel Hunters 6s Sid, Velvet and Pearl 6s 10|d, all f.o.b. Oats—“A” grade Gartons, 3s 6d per bushel; “B” grade, 3s 4d; Algerians, 4s 6d to ss; Duns, 4s 9d to 5s 6d; Black oats, 4s 6d to ss. Potatoes Sutton’s Supreme £ll 10s, Dakotas £ll, f.0.b., s.i. (November delivery).* Chaff—G.b.o.s., £6 ton. Barley Chevalier, 5s 6d per bushel; Black, 6s 6d. Peas—No. 1. Partridge, 6s 6d per bushel (contract); Prussian Blue, 10s (contract). Grass-seeds —F.D. Perennial, 5s 6d to 6s per bushel; Italian and Western Wolths, 5s 6d to 6s; cocksfoot, Is 9d to 2s (certified), Is 9d (uncertified). Clover—Red Is 6d lb, white Is 6d to 2s (uncertified), 2s 6d to 3s 3d (cer tified). The Egg Market. The buying price of eggs this week is Is 9d per dozen, and the retail price is Is 8d per dozen. ADDINGTON STOCK MARKET FATS ADVANCE IN PRICE (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 29. There were smaller yardings in all sections at the Addington stock market to-day and an advance in prices was recorded in fat sheep, fat lambs and fat cattle. There was a further decrease in store sheep, 2761 being penned against 3289 last week. The quality, except for ewes and lambs, was below last week’s standard, but prices w r ere unchanged. Some exceptionally good woolly ewes and lambs sold at 265, all counted, and shorn ewes and lambs made up to 15s 6d. The highest price for ewe hoggets was 30s. Others j sold from 23s to 265. Beest wether hoggets made from 24s to 265. A line of hill country wethers sold well from 18s 5d to 235. The entry of fat sheep was 2500, against 4500 last week, and, with reduced numbers, prices all round showed a rise of from 2s to 3s a head. Ewes were in shorter supply than usual, owing to the scarcity of dry ewes in the country. The market opened firmly at a rise of 2s a head, and this was maintained throughout. There was a heavy yarding of shorn wether hoggets .the best selling up to 34s lOd. The highest price for wethers was 37s 10s, and for aged ewes 27s 4d, There was an entry of 435 fat cattle, against 50S last week. The demand was better from the outset, on an average all classes of steers and best heifers being better by 20s a head than last week. Cows were slightly firmer, but the retail grading restrictions coming into force next week restricted competition in this section. Best beef made from 46s to 50s per 1001 b, good 42s to 455, secondary to 38s, all per 1001 b.

A better tone was evident in the store cattle market. The forward condition and breeding of some of the entry were largely responsible for this, but probably the improved price for export beef was a factor. Steers from Little River, requiring little finishing, sold to brisk competition. Three-year and four-year Shorthorn steers of this line sold at £l3 13s 6d, three-year Black Polls at £l3 7,s 6d, three-year Shorthorn at £l3. Included in lots were 18 months Black Poll steers at £8 ss; two-year Hereford steers, in forward condition, £lO 10s; two and a half-year Hereford steers, in fair store condition, £lO 8s 6d, Yearling Jersey heifers of ordinary standard sold at £3 13s 6d.

Fat Pigs.—The porker entry was the largest this season and the quality again mixed. Competition was sound, all classes selling at full schedule rates. There was also a heavy yarding in the chopper section. Values were easier early in the sale, but appreciated by about £1 a head over the final stages. Baconers were forward in smaller numbers. Values showed little change. The average price per 11) was 83d to 9d. Store pigs sold as follow: —Small weaners, 24s to 275; medium, 28s to 31s; best, to 355. Slips, 36s to 38s. Small stores, 39s to 41s; medium, 42s to 455; large, to 4Ss.