Grain, Seeds, Produce Firmer Markets For Small Seeds

Press, Volume C, Issue 29674, 18 November 1961, Page 17

Grain, Seeds, Produce Firmer Markets For Small Seeds

In the last three weeks the markets for white clover and ryegrass have firmed considerably but merchants in Christchurch said yesterday that conditions were not normal and the present level of values could recede. Several factors are considered to be affecting the market for small seeds. White clover stocks are not large and United Kingdom merchants are buying at last, although there is resistance to the present prices. Ryegrass business is more local with only moderate overseas activity.

The near-drougtut conditions in Canterbury ' have stimulated interest in prospects for the coming harvest by United Kingdom interests and there has also been some local clover buying. Local business is also startling to pick up with quite an amount of interest being shown by the North Island buyers. Most of the white clover has been in merchants’ hands for several months but there has been a tendency tor farmers to hold ryegrass stocks. At the lower prices through the winter they were diffident sellers arid with present crop prospects there is also reticence. However, if the market can be kept moderately active without violent fluctuations there is the prospect of continued trading. In the last three weeks white clover has shown a firming of between 6d and 7d per lb, according to a merchant, apd ryegrass values have lifted 4s to 5s a bushel. No official range of values was available this week from the North Canterbury Grain, Seed and Produce Merchants’ Association. Cowgrass is not in demand and the market is very quiet and with limited stocks of Montgomery red clover growers are tending to hold on to their stocks of unsold seed in view of the present weather. Prospects of big yields of ryegrass this year are fast fading in North Canterbury except in very favoured areas, but merchants’ stores are still busy dressing last season’s harvest and some plants will still be dressing this seed next year. In some areas a response to nitrogenous fertilisers has been marked in ryegrass stands which were topdressed even though there has been limited moisture and an apparent lack of heavy morning dews.

Far white clover, good rains now would not be too late to get reasonable crops after Christmas but it is too late for any revival of ryegrass stands which have not had to be opened up for grazing again.

On the better class land wheat crops are looking well, although in need of rain to fill out the ears, but on light land throughout North Canterbury and Marlborough growth has been spindly and stunted with the plants breaking into ear too early. According to one merchant yesterday, heavy yields can not be expected this year even on the heavier soils unless rain comes soon. Odd crops in North Canterbury have had to be fed off. Early sown maple and partridge pea crops are looking well but tiheir growth has been checked and this is expected to affect yields but the crops sown later are far from satisfactory. There were many poor strikes reported and the plants are looking stunted and unhealthy. Garden peas have suffered similarly and probably half the Marlborough crop has been lost. Process growers for quick-freezing will be heavy losers. Hawke’s Bay growers are similarly placed and the drought there is affecting crops and pastures badly Ryegrass crops will be limited and yields are expected to be poor. Inquiries are already being received from North Island merchants in the drier areas for greenfeed cereals from the coming'harvest.

Merchants are expecting a good demand for greenfeed oats and barley for sowing in Canterbury early in the New Year. Local crops are not expected to yielld heavily but there is a big carryover of white and black oats from last year and in Southland, as well as a heavy carryover, a big erop of oats is expected this year. Barley crops sown earlier on the better land are still holding quite well but on the light land where strikes have been poor and there has been little growth some crops can virtually be written off. Much less hay has been saved this year because of the restricted spring growth and in many areas raoe and other fattening crops are showing poorly In one area the first crop of Cape barley may be harvested in little more than a fortnight and crops generally will be much earlier this year.