SOUTHLAND PRODUCE AND STOCK MARKET. (From Our Own Correspondent.)

Otago Witness, Issue 2660, 8 March 1905, Page 31

SOUTHLAND PRODUCE AND STOCK MARKET. (From Our Own Correspondent.)

INVERCARGILL, March 4. During the past week next to no business has 'been passing in the local oat market, owing no doubt to the Canter trary crop being as good as already available for sale. Prices to farmers have "-one back fully Id per bushel, and, in the absence of any demand, merchants are not keen to buy. The s.s. 2STorge left the Bluff during the week, taking in all 19,500 s?.cks. These were principally from the Bluff stores, with a few trucked direct from the eastern district. Kow this lot is cleared cut, the Bluff stores have a very empty appearancS, and to-day ii will be qtiite safe to reckon that 20,000 sacks of all grades would cover the total stocks held in the Bluff. There are still a few selling to go to the Auckland market, and the Hawea loading in about a week's time will further reduce the stocks by 5000 to 6000 sacks. A few small lines are still going to Wellington at Is 9£d for B grade and Is 9d for x.a.q. There is already a great deal of the new crop cut, and harvesting will soon be general all over Southland. Merchants anticipate being able to supply new oats f.o.b. at the Bluff from the midd.e or the end of March; but if any large business comes this way delivery will probab'y be arranged for April. There are several inquiries for forward delivery for oats wanted for Africa and the East, but local merchants are not inclined to c»mmit themselves until they see how the market will open. Present prices to farmers can be cwioted at Is 4id to Is 5d for B grade, and Is 3f;d to Is 4d for C grade or f.a.q. The local chaff market is a little easier, and large quantities are coming forward. Prices for prime quality are still well maintained, and can be quoted at £3 2s 6d to £3 5s on trucks, but nothing inferior is looked at. There is still a very 'large quantity of ryegrass offering, and prices remain about the same as at last week. Merchants have not been so keen to operate, except for lines of very heavy seed. Anything light is neglected, and farmers find great difficulty in placing it. On Saturday as high as 2s 9d was paid on trucks at wayside stations for lines of seed from the mill weighing 26&1b, fairly free fiom sorrel and other weeds. The average prices ruling have been from 2s 3d to 2s 6d on trucks.

The first sample of this year's wheat was offered in town on Saturday, and was a very' fine sample, grown in the Otautau district. What prices will open at it will be very hard to say, but farmers who have wheat for sale expect better prices than were realised last year.

There is a very strong demand for linseed, but there are only a few odd lines left in store. Recent sales have been as hi»h as .£l.O f.0.b., s.i. None of the new crop is yet available but it should be offering within the next month.

There is no change ;n the stock market, and prices quoted last week are fully maintained for -all classes of sheep. Those competent to form an opinion do not anticipate any fall iiv prices, as large numbers of farmers aie hanging back waiting their cnance to pick up suitable lines of young sheep. Lambs are in special demand, and are selling exceptionally well, several lines having changed hsndi during the week to northern buyers at as high as 14s 6d, with a small percentage of rejects to be thrown out. Fat lambs are also in demand for freezing purposes, and as high as 16s 6d has been paid to farmers.

The cattle niai-ket is still without change, and no business is tiassing.