AMPLE SUPPLIES OF OATS

Southland Times, Issue 24355, 8 February 1941, Page 3

AMPLE SUPPLIES OF OATS

OTAGO PRODUCE MARKETS STONE FRUIT IS IN SHORT SUPPLY (United Press Association) DUNEDIN, February 7. The only lines of wheat coming to hand are from Central Otago, where crops are earlier than in the coastal areas. Fowl wheat continues in short supply, but it will not now be long before the new season’s supplies will be available. The current price for best quality is round about 6/6 to 6/9, sacks extra, ex store. Ample supplies of new season’s oats are appearing on the market, both Algerians and Gartons. Reports indicate that this season’s Dun oats are not of the best quality and prices being paid to farmers vary. Up to 3/- has been paid for Gartons in the country provided they are heavy and suitable for milling. In the southern districts threshing has not yet been begun. The ruling shipping value for A Gartons is 3/8, f.0.b.5.i., with B’s at 3/5, f.o.b.s.i. Following on the dry weather a demand has set in for seed oats and farmers are preparing to make provision for a late autumn and winter. The feed chaff market shows no change. Supplies are on the short side.

POTATO MARKET QUIET The potato market is quiet and lower prices are ruling for seeds, but growers now appear more inclined to meet the market. There appears to be a plentiful supply of ryegrass, with germination much better than the last season. The New Zealand market will not be able to absorb all the seed and a difficulty will be to obtain shipping space for export. This also applies to Italian ryegrass. The cocksfoot market is firm and it is considered that the short crop this season will lead to still higher values. There is no lack of offerings of white clover and substantial sales of this seed have been made here. Again an outlet overseas will be necessary to strengthen the market. The threshing of fescue crops continues in the southern districts. Merchants are not keen to operate because of the lack of shipping freight and values are still below those of last season. Another line starting to appear on the market is dogstail. There was a heavy carry-over of this seed last year and the market lacks strength. Stone fruit continues in short supply with high prices. Apricots are practically finished for the season and plums are not nearly so plentiful as in other years. Very high prices have been ruling in the northern markets for stone fruit and Central Otago growers are sending a considerable quantity past the local market. The main supply of peaches and nectarines is yet to come on to the market.

Supplies of tomatoes have increased and the market was considerably weaker at the week-end.

Gravenstein apples are in better supply. Cox’s pippins should be on the market in about a fortnight’s time. The raspberry season is quickly drawing to a close and only small lots are now on offer.

WHEAT IN GOOD ORDER CHRISTCHURCH PRODUCE MARKETS (United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, February 7. Farmers and merchants alike are still so busy with deliveries of the wheat crop that there is little interest in other sections of the grain and produce markets. Wheat continues to come in from the country as fast as trucks can be found by the Railway Department, exceptionally favourable weather having allowed more than a normally rapid harvest. Samples of wheat received so far are in excellent order. Yields in mid-Can-terbury are reported to be about the same as those of last year, but reports from Ashburton indicate that there may be a 10 per cent, increase in the average there, and reports from South Canterbury suggest that the yield will be very heavy. Vei-y little Garton oats is offering but sales have been made at up to 3/- a bushel on trucks for the best. A number of lines of poor quality and light weight have made their appearance, and for these there is little inquiry. Algerians i also vary considerably in quality and I the best are worth about 3/-, but the bulk of the sales made have been completed at 2/6 to 2/9.

DUN OATS MARKET SLOW The market for Dun oats is slow with little business passing. A few lines of cape barley are offering. The quality is good and value is about 3/6. Earlier lines of malting barley to come forward were of fair quality but late samples are poor and show the effects of drought. No great volume of business has been done and values are not yet established. Ample -supplies of lupins are available and little interest is being shown by merchants. Odd sales of small quantities have been made at 3/3 to 3/6 a bushel. The early rush of offerings of ryegrass has not been maintained and prices show no notable advance probably because stocks are plentiful in stores. The nominal value of perennial Italian and Western Wolths is around 3/6. Offerings of white clover have been heavy and have included some fairly large lines. Values are about 1/6 to 2/-. There is a small inquiry for chaff which is worth about £3/10/- on trucks. Very few lines of new season’s cocksfoot have been offered yet. Reports indicate that the Peninsula crop will be about one-third down on that of last year and that the quality will be about the same. This means that the crop will be light and of poor quality. Few samples of plain.-, seed have appeared and values are nominal.