CEREAL CROPS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26904, 16 October 1948, Page 3

CEREAL CROPS

SOWINGS ALMOST COMPLETED

SEED MARKET QUIET

The sowing of spring crops is now almost completed, but a few oats may still be sown this month and early in November. Odd lines of barley are still being planted in some districts, but the sowing of wheat is finished. Certified seed wheat appears to have been widely used for sowing this season. There is still a ready outlet to' the North Island for all lines of cereals, but unfortunately local merchants are unable to respond. Chaff is also being inquired for, but the supplies are sufficient only for the local demand. As the result of a visit to Dunedin during the week of an officer of the Internal Marketing Division, the position in respect to potatoes has now been clarified. Table potatoes grown under contract will be taken over as from the end of tliis month on the basis of fair average quality, but those farmers who grew potatoes 'other than on contract will have to find their own markets. The demand for potatoes is restricted to the more favoured varities, freshly graded, and even on this basis low prices have to be accepted to enable sales to be made.

The market for seeds continues quiet, and it is not expected that much interest will be shown until the next harvest. White clover has eased in price, and more sellers than buyers are in the market, although the total stocks held by merchants cannot be regarded as excessive.

Cowgrass continues to have a fair inquiry. and there is some interest in Montgomery red clover, but buyers have definite limits for these seeds and will not exceed them. The values for both certified and uncertified perennial ryegrass are easier than was the case a month ago. This is partly due to the fact that many, merchants who sold overseas found that import permits into Great, Britain were not granted for the full extant of their orders. Short rotation ryegrass is holding its value, as stocks are small and there is a steady demand for sowing throughout the Dominion. , There is no alteration to record in the values of Chewings fescue, crested dogstail, and browntop. The stocks of s all these lines are in comparatively small compass.