COMMERCIAL PRODUCE MARKET

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVI, Issue 23029, 21 October 1944, Page 7

COMMERCIAL PRODUCE MARKET

Overseas Inquiry For Seeds WHEAT DIFFICULT TO SELL Inquiries continue from overseas for ail lines of certified seeds, and it is expected that the demand will continue for some time. Cowgrass and Montgomery red clover are meeting .with a keen demand, and there is also a market for other specified lines of certified seed. Owing to the embargo placed on them by the British Government, uncertified ryegrass and Italian ryegrass are difficult to sell. Odd inquiries have been received from Australia for uncertified ryegrass, but Australian purchasers are only interested in heavy grades such as 311 b to 321 b to the bushel, of which only a limited quantity is available. The closing date (October 31) for the certification of Montgomery red clover is a month earlier this year, and farmers are advised to forward their entries' before the end of the month. Merchants have been advised that small quantities of stock seeds are available. Wheat Millers are fully stocked and difficulty is being experienced in obtaining a market for lines on hand. Although supplies will be short next year, it is a question whether the wheat at present in store is in a fit condition to hold for another six months. The current fixed prices are: Tuscan 6/6, Hunters 6/BJ, and Velvet 6/10 a bushel. Oats The majority of last season’s oats have been sold, and only small parcels are coming forward. There are some oats held in stack, but farmers intend using them for chaff. Chaff There have been occasional inquiries for g.b.o.s. chaff, but most of it is only of fair average quality, for which there is very little demand. Nominal quotations are £5 a ton. Linseed Farmers are now taking delivery of linseed for contract sowing, and the same applies to linen flax seed. Partridge Peas Farmers are taking delivery of seed peas, but it is not expected that the acreage will be as large as last year. Potatoes Only o3d parcels of potatoes are coming forward, but they are meeting with a ready sale. New potatoes are available in certain districts in the North Island, which will relieve the position considerably. South Island fixed prices are: Suttons and King Edward, £lO/15/- a ton, f.0.b.5.i.; other varieties, £lO/5/- a ton. There has been a demand for cowgrass and Montgomery red clover, and inquiries have also been received for certified ryegrass and Italian ryegrass. "Very few of • the two last-named are available. Most were sold earlier in the year. Owing to the unfavourable season little cowgrass and Montgomery is coming forward. SEARCH FOR OIL (N.Z.P.A.) GISBORNE, Oct. 19. The following bulletin, announcing the dosing of the first Westland well, was issued to-day by the New Zealand Petroleum Company: “No Town, No. 1 well, was completed at a depth of 6942 feet in basement rocks on September 30, with negative results “Cobden. —The limestone formation which was penetrated between 6735 ft and 6850 ft was tested and produced only salt water and c ar b on -d i ox ide gas.’’