STOCKS ALMOST EXHAUSTED

Southland Times, Issue 24243, 28 September 1940, Page 3

STOCKS ALMOST EXHAUSTED

OATS IN DUNEDIN MARKETS STEADY DEMAND FOR SEED VARIETY (United Press Association) DUNEDIN, September 27. The fowl wheat market remains urtchanged at 5/6 to 5/9 a bushel, sacks extra, ex store. Stocks of oats are practically exhausted in the local stores. There is a steady demand from farmers for seed oats, and a few good lines available are being used for this purpose. There are no oats available for shipment from this port and as a consequence business with the North Island has to be done from other ports. The nominal value of A grade Gartons is 4/8 a bushel, f.0.b.5.i., with B’s at 4/6 f.o.b.s.i. These prices are equivalent to 3/10 and 3/8 respectively on trucks country sidings, sacks extra. The demand for chaff is on the quiet side. Values are unchanged at lower values ruling recently. The potato market remains lifeless with supplies greatly in excess of the demand.

There is little to report in the seed markets. Values of the principal lines such as cocksfoot, ryegrass and white clover remain firm at recent rates with stocks, which are not heavy, gradually diminishing. The recent firming in the browntop market is well maintained. The quantity of seed held is small and the next harvest is from six to seven months away. The market for crested dogstail and cowgrass continues on the quiet side. Recent reports of a poor harvest in England for seeds may have the effect of stimulating interest in these particular varieties.

Stocks of Chewing’s fescue are in short compass. It is not evident that there will be a complete clearance by the end of the year. The new seed should be available about February. It is difficult to name the prices of seeds because in practically every instance there is a wide range between the lower quality and seeds of export quality. QUIET WEEK FOR FRUIT A quiet week has been experienced in the fruit marts. There have been no arrivals of overseas fruit but a shipment of Samoan bananas is expected on Thursday next. The shipment will be approximately 2000 cases, which is a larger shipment than usual. Hothouse tomatoes have begun to come forward from the North Island and supplies from Christchurch should be available early next month. Australian naval oranges have been sold out of the marts. A further shipment is expected in about 10 days’ time. The prices of the incoming shipment have been raised by 1/- to 1/3 a case. Theer will be only a few navels in the shipment. The bulk of the oranges will be Valencias. Lemons are in fair supply. A further supply is expected at the end of next week. Poorman oranges are still coming forward but the demand is weak.

Supplies of apples are getting on the short side. This fruit is meeting with a ready sale. There will be no importations of Californian grapes this season as this fruit has been declared a luxury by the Customs Department.

DOMINION POTATOES IN SYDNEY SHIPMENT OF 1000 TONS FROM LYTTELTON (United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, September 27. Another shipment of approximately 1000 tons of potatoes was sent from Lyttelton to Sydney this week. This completes the Lyttelton quota under the arrangement reached some months ago to export 5000 tons to Australia this season. A final shipment of approximately 600 tons will be from Timaru early next month. New Zealand potatoes are selling in Sydney now at £l3 a ton and on this price the Government should be clearing- between £2 and £3 a ton where it was more or less only breaking even on the earlier shipments.

A successful conclusion to the negotiations with the Federal Government for further shipments is still hoped for although the prices for Australian potatoes, which now range up to £l5/10/- a ton, have gone higher in other seasons without the Federal Government considering it necessary to lift the embargo on imports from New Zealand. It does seem, however, on the information available, that prices in Australia this season would be higher than they are if it were not for the control being exercised over them.

In the meantime the local market is in a peculiar position. There is still a substantial surplus of potatoes and very few are required, but buyers who have been making inquiries have found that if they want potatoes they have to pay a higher price than that which has been ruling for some time. Growers have reached the stage where they are not prepared to bother with their potatoes unless a reasonably payable price is obtainable. There is not a great deal of activity in the seeds market and prices show little change. There is little demand for chaff, inquiry being received for only odd trucks and the price remains round £5 a ton.

SMALL YARDING OE SHEEP

WETHERS SELL WELL AT WYNDHAM SALE

There was a small yarding of sheep for the Wyndham stock sale. Good quality wethers in the fat pens were in demand and prices showed a distinct advance on last sale. Light wethers were also wanted and sold at about 1/6 to 2/- better than at last sale. _ There were very few pens forward’in the store section. Good breeding ewes were keenly competed for and sold well up to late rates. The first lot of the season of ewes and lambs all counted, were keenly competed for and sold at satisfactory prices. One or two pens of medium ewe hoggets made late rates. There was a large yarding of extra heavy bullocks in the fat pens. These sold well and showed an increase on late sales rates. Good heavy prime cows were also wanted and made late rates. Lighter and unfinished sorts

were harder to sell and showed a decline of 30/- a head on the last sale. The demand for store bullocks was not so keen and the two or three pens of good sorts that were yarded were passed at auction, the price offered being considerably below late rates. Good dairy cows close to profit were also wanted and prices for these were about equal to late sales. Henderson and Co. Ltd., sold 4 fat wethers at 32/-, 1 fat ewe at 26/9, 2 fat ewes at 24/-, 2 ewe hoggets at 24/-, 3 rams at 7/6, 1 fat cow at £ll/10/-, 1 fat heifer at £6/12/6.

National Mortgage and Agency Co., Ltd., sold: 1 fat bullock at £l3/10/-, 2 at £l2/10/-, 3 at £ll/15/-, 4 at £lO/17/6, 2 fat cows at £l2/10/-, 2 at £lO/15/- down to £9/5/-, dairy heifers up to £9, dairy dows with guarantee and fair condition £7/10/-, £l2 and up to £l2/10/-. Pigs at 25/-, 27/6 and 30/-.

Wright, Stephenson and Co., Ltd., sold: 1 fat cow at £6/5/-, 1 dairy cow at £lO/10/-, 1 at £9/15/-, 1 at £7/15/-, 12 fat hoggets at 24/9, 26 wether hoggets at 22/3, 10 store wethers at 28/-.

SMALL ENTRIES AT TUATAPERE

NO SHEEP FORWARD FOR STOCK SALE

Entries were small, at the Tuatapere stock sale, no sheep being offered. Prices for cattle were up to current market rates. Various articles, including a wagonette, gig and harness, were offered on behalf of the Patriotic Committee, a total of £5 being obtained. Sales were:

Southland Farmers’ Co-Operative Association, Ltd., sold: One dairy cow at £lO/10/-, 1 dairy cow at £7/12/6, 1 Jersey heifer at £5/10/-, 1 cow at £6/15/-, 1 heifer at £7/15/-, 1 heifer at £5, 3 cows at £lO each. New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., sold: One cow at £6, 1 at £B/10/-, 1 at £B, 1 hack at £5, 1 mare at £lO, boy’s cycle at £4.