SOUTHLAND GRAIN AND STOCK MARKETS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2604, 10 February 1904, Page 19

SOUTHLAND GRAIN AND STOCK MARKETS.

(Fkom Our Own Correspondent.)

INVEECARGILL, Febiuary 7,

The puce for oats remains the same as last week, but there are so many disturbing elements affecting the maikets at present that operatois are chary of committing themselves largely either way. Tho Canuerbuiy harvest is j>ow offering. As the quality is good and the ciops abundant this should have the effect of lowering values, but on the other hand Is 2d per bu«hel on trticko does not pay the grower, v ho, if he is in a position to do so will lather lio'cl on m Ibe hope that the thieatonrd vac nuy cie?.te a deniai.d for cur oats and xeiso the

prices. Our own harvest is now becoming more general, and should be in full swing all over Southland in another fortnight. Some of our farmers aie pessimistic as to the yields, but others say that in their districts the oats are exceedingly well headed, and, given another month of favouiable weather, should be quite up to last year's. Ryegrass is now offering freely, and for prompt delivery to catch the autumn trade buyers are giving Is 4d to Is 6d per bushel. The samples are fairly clean and free fiorn fog and other weeds. The seed is mostly of a very nice colour, well ripened, and saved in good condition. There is a tremendous crop in Southland, and it is generally expected that values will be very low, falling away when the autumn d-emand is satisfied. The turnip crop is something wonderful, notwithstanding the havoc wrought by the fly in the early part of the season.

The cattle market, both for fats and stores, is dull. Fat sheep are selling well, and store sheep are booming. Good, forward two-tooths are bringing anything from 14s to 15s; good, young ewes, 15s to 16s ; aged ewes, 12s to 13s ; store lambs. 9s 6d to 10s; forward lambs, suitable for finishing on rape, 10s 6d to lls ; while freezer lambs fetch lls 6d to 12s. The demand for dairy cows still continues Btrong. At Mr Jas. Crombie's displenishing sale at Kensington on Tuesday last his daily cows, including those in milk ancl dry, averaged £9. Quite a large proportion brought £11 10s, and the highest £14 17s 6d.