SEED MARKET

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27212, 15 October 1949, Page 3

SEED MARKET

INTEREST MAINTAINED CEREALS SEASON CLOSING Inquiries for seed lines of wheat, oats, and barley are quiet. This is partly due to the break in the weather, as conditions for sowing in West and South Otago have not been suitable, and also to the fact that the majority of farmers have filled their seed requirements for the season. Odd lines of oats are being shipped to the North Island, but the quantity is not great enough to make any appreciable difference to the stocks held in store by merchants. As there are no lines offering from the country, it would appear that the growers have been able to dispose of all their lines.

The stocks of chaff are ample for all requirements, and the demand is restricted to local consumption. There is no inquiry for shipment. The values for chaff of good, bright quality are unchanged, but inferior lines are difficult to sell.

Owing to the shortage of stocks, little trading in potatoes is taking place. Merchants are concerned chiefly with finding enough potatoes to fill “ hand-to-mouth ” orders. It is possible that a further shipment of Australian potatoes may be made to Dunedin, but the arrangements at this stage have not been completed. The seed market generally continues firm, and interest in the majority of lines is maintained. Inquiries are still being received for Chewings fescue, browntop, and crested dogstail for export, but the quantity of seed now available for overseas is distinctly limited. The value of these lines, if anything, showed a further hardening during the week. It is most unlikely that there will be any easing in values until the new crop is nearer at hand.

Cocksfoot and timothy are also in short supply, and lines of good quality are readily saleable at much higher prices than normal. /

Montgomery red clover remains the Cinderella of the seed market this season. Merchants who purchased earlier in the expectation of overseas business are left with their stocks as well as being faced with a considerable fall in values.

Inquiries have been received for cowgrass, but at this stage it is difficult to say whether business overseas is possible. There is no variation to record in the values of perennial, Italian, or short rotation ryegrasses.