THE NEW WOOL SEASON

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27450, 25 July 1950, Page 6

THE NEW WOOL SEASON

Crutching Sale On August 14 PROMISE OF FIRM PRICES Speculation is keen concerning the price that will be reached at the crutching sale on August 14, the first wool sale of the new season. More especially is this so in view of the high price that has been reached for this type of wool in the North Island. Many growers, it is said, have disposed of their crutchings clip to dealers on the farm at prices considerably below the figure reached at the Gisborne sale last week, and it may well be that these sheep farmers have lost considerably by these early disposals.

A number of the wool stores indicate that crutchings are coming in very slowly and they understand that sales have been made to travelling private buyers at from 31d to 40d a lb, bales supplied. Last August, 3995 bales of crutchings were offered, and good lines made from 35d to 37Jd, but some farmers held their stocks, preferring to dispose of them at the November and December general auction. It has been asserted that some farmers may be doing this again this season, but the general view is that the reason for the slow arrival into store is mainly due to private sales. Another factor, too, that may have something to do with the delay, is that quite a number of sheepmen have not completed their crutching operations. In some districts there has been a hold-up because of the wet season. It is considered in some quarters that August is too early for the crutching sales in Otago for this reason. The view is held that with the operations of the private dealers on the one hand and the lateness of the season on the other, there will not be as many bales for disposal on August 14 as was the case last year. With a firming market, however, it appears probable that prices for next month’s auction might reach some-

thing near the recent Gisborne figures of up to 57d for special lines. Wool now in store is being opened up, sorted, classified and rebaled, and staffs in the departments concerned are busy keeping up with consignments as they arrive.