WHEAT AND OATS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26778, 22 May 1948, Page 3

WHEAT AND OATS

INCREASED PRICE NEEDED ENCOURAGEMENT TO GROWERS Favourable weather is still being experienced in Otago, and as a result seasonal farming operations are well advanced. Autumn-sown crops are locking particularly well, and even if exceptionally severe . weather should be experienced during the winter they are not likely to suffer unduly. The shortage of oats is very pronounced and both millers and merchants have insufficient for their year’s requirements. The present' maximum price for oats has not been high enough to induce farmers to increase their acreage, and in these circumstances it may become necessary to increase the price, as an absurd position would arise if New Zealand were forced to import oats as well as wheat from Australia. Should any increase be granted in the price of both wheat and oats for the 1948-49 season, it is to be hoped that the Government will issue its announcement in time for farmers to make preparations for additional areas to be sown down in these crops. There is a. steady demand from merchants in the North Island for Duns, black oats and Gartons, but very few lines are available for shipment from this port. The market for chaff continues to be steady. The supplies coming to hand are adequate to meet the limited demand. The potato market is over-supplied at present, but this is largely the result of the weather, which has enabled growers to dig their crops earlier than usual. The stay order on the shipment of potatoes to the North Island will be wholly lifted at the end of this month, but it appears that all the centres in the North Island have ample supplies in the meantime. Some merchants may have forward orders to flll, but new business may not be possible for some time. The yields of potatoes throughout New Zealand have apparently been consistently high this season.

The market for seeds was quieter this week but' values for all lines continue to be firm. White clover and cowgrass are still' meeting with a good inquiry, and interest is also being shown in Montgomerv red clover. Cocksfoot has also been sought after, and as a result the prices for both certified and uncertified lines are firming. There is no variation to record in the values of crested dogstail, browntop and Chewings fescue.