GRAIN AND PRODUCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25214, 1 May 1943, Page 3

GRAIN AND PRODUCE

MILLERS’ REQUIREMENTS Samples of milling wheat are still arriving from the country. Millers are taking deliveries for this month, but are not showing much interest in the meantime in deliveries for May. The majority of the millers have just about filled their quotas for the season, and they are now accepting only best quality milling wheat. Flour, Bran, etc. Hour: 200’s, £l3 15s 6d; 100's, £l4 12s Id; 50’s, £l4 17s 6d; 25’s, £ls 7s 6d. Bran, £5 5s per ton of 20001 b. Pollard, £6 15s per ton of 20001 b. Oatmeal: 2001 b sacks, £?5 10s 6d per ton; 251 b loose, £27 0s 6d; 251 b packed in •acks of eight, £27 10s 6d. Algerian Oats Business in white oats remains quiet, with millers operating only where deliveries can be taken later, as there is a scarcity of storage accommodation; The demand from the North Island for Algerians continues, and the market for this variety is firm. The demand is being met from Oamaru and Canterbury ports. The price for heavy milling oats is unchanged at the Government fixed price of 3s 6d per bushel, on trucks, country sidings, sacks extra, but the shipping market does not permit this figure being paid by merchants, unless at a loss on the operation. Deliveries of Potatoes Deliveries of potatoes from the larger growers have been heavy, and the bulk of the tubers are being shipped to the North Island. The fine weather has enabled the potatoes to be dug under favourable conditions, and most of the lines coming to hand have been carefully graded by growers. This has not always been the custom in the past. Growers now appear to realise that unless their potatoes are graded up to f.a.q. standard they cannot expect to obtain the Government price. If potatoes have to be regraded after being received in the local stores the expense to the grower is considerable. Demand for Ryegrass The ryegrass crop in Otago has proved to be on the small side, and in many cases the germinations have not proved satisfactory. The demand continues for certified ryegrass, and there is a strong tone in the market. The fine weather has enabled growers to expedite the harvesting of Montgomery red clover, but the latest returns indicate a wide difference in the yields per acre. 'The quality of the seed, however, is good. The market for cocksfoot, crested dogstail, and Chewings fescue remains firm. There is a good inquiry for brown top, and it appears that the area sown this year will be smaller than usual. There is no change in the white clover market. Various Commodities Wholesale prices are as follows: Chaff: Good bright oaten sheaf, £6 to £6 5s per ton, sacks extra, ex truck, to £6 10s to £6 15s ex store: weak demand. Fowl wheat: 5s 9d to 6s 6d per bushel, ex store, according to quality and quantity. Butter: Bulk, Is per lb. Bacon, Is 3d per lb. Hams, Is 2Jd per lb: boneless, Is 4d. Egg Price* The Government fixed wholesale prices for eggs are as follows:—Heavy, 2s lid per dozen; standard, 2s 9d; medium, 2s 7d; pullets’. 2s 2d. The retail prices arc 3s 2id, 3s Old, 2s 101 d, and 2s sd.