CEREAL CROPS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26772, 15 May 1948, Page 3

CEREAL CROPS

DELIVERIES DECREASING SEED MARKET STEADY Only the nominal deliveries of wheat that can be expected at this time of the year are now coming to hand. Barley, ryecorn and oats for feeding purposes still have a good inquiry, but the demand continues to exceed the supply. Although the oat crops in Otago this year were reasonably good they did not produce the heavy grain that is sometimes a feature of loc-ally-grown lines. The deliveries of both partridge and blue peas appear to be finished for the season, and merchants are now negotiating contracts for the 1948-49 harvest. The supplies of chaff are sufficient for immediate requirements but the trade is confined -almost entirely to small lines from store, and no coastal shipments are being made. The flush of deliveries of main crop potatoes is now being experienced, and merchants are finding great difficulty in providing adequate storage. Some exceptionally heavy crops have been recorded, mostly of the Arran Chief variety, which dug well and are coming to hand in good condition. The lifting of the embargo on tlTc shipment of potatoes to the North Island would be welcomed by merchants as it would provide an immediate outlet for the crops. The local market is supplied with enough for some time to come. The market for all seed lines continues to be steady. Now that the export quotas arc known it is not expected that there will be a carry-over by the end of the season. Values for white clover are firm; but less trading was recorded this week than was the case last week. Cowgrass has had a good inquiry during the past few days, and as a result values firmed. It is understood that Continental buyers have been operating. Montgomery red clover has also received more attention. but with little advance in prices, as Continental buyers are not prepared to pay a premium on this line over-the price ruling for cowgrass. Although the entry into Great Britain of a limited quantity of cocksfoot is now to be permitted, lines suitable for export are difficult to obtain. Three years ago the prices for cocksfoot reached the highest point on record, but values dropped to the other extreme in succeeding years when there were heavy crops but no export outlet. Production was below normal this season, and the stocks carried over have largely gone into consumption. This has resulted in prices reaching a more stable level and they again represent a good return to growers. The markets for browntop, Chewings fescue, and crested dogstail continue to be firm at recent rates.