GRAIN AND PRODUCE

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23801, 21 November 1942, Page 6

GRAIN AND PRODUCE

CHRISTCHURCH MARKETS The grain and produce trade continues in the lifeless condition that has characterised it practically since the winter. Farmers have little produce to sell, and merchants are holding stocks of seeds for which there is very little local demand' and none at all in the meantime from overseas. Toere is some doubt as to the Home position Improving, as policy la England is tu "speed the plough," with the laying down of permanent pastures discouraged, and even prohibited. Merchants’ stocks of white clover in this country at the moment, therefore, and some other classes of small seeds, are not likely to be drawn on to much extent by the United Kingdom. Merchants in Christchurch are dropping prices to encourage a local demand but the response is small. The season promises favourably for good crops of white clover, ryegrass, and cowgrass seed. There has been a fair carry-over of cowgfass seed from last season. Althougn the season has been favourable for a good crop of cocksfoot the area harvested is likely to be reduced, partciularly on the plains. Another factor is that the shortage - of labour is likely -to affect the harvest on the hills. The following quotations are for produce on trucks unless otherwise stated,

Pilot Officer E. J. L. Kelly, R.A.A.F., who has been promoted to the rank of Flying Officer, He is the son of Mr and Mrs J. S. Kelly, of Christchurch, and is an old boy of the Christchurch Boys’ High School. Flying Officer Kelly has been serving at Port Moresby, New Guinea.

In the absent e of recent business a number of the quotations are nominal:— Wheat (final' payment).— Tuscan, 6s 2d; Hunters. 6s 4d; Pearl, 6s 6d; Marquis, 6s 8d (all f.0.b.). ~ Oats.—A Cartons, 3s 6d; Bs 3s 3d; Algerians, 2s 6d; Duns, 3s to 3s 3d a bushel. Italian Ryegrass,—4s to 4s 6d a busfiel: perennial, 4s to 4s 3d. White Clovei. -To Is per lb for farmers dressed. .. , . Cocksfoot.—lOd to Is per lb for good lines. Cowgrass.—9d to lOd. Chaff.—£4 to £4 ss, according to station, a. ton. Peas.—6s 3d to 6s'6d a bushel. Potatoes. —Sutton's and King Edwards, £l2 10s a ton; whites and. Dakotas, £l2 f.0.b., sacks In.