MEN ON THE LAND.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 164, 14 July 1930, Page 4

MEN ON THE LAND.

DAIRYING IN CAMBRIDGE.

PAST SEASON'S ACTIVITIES,

RECORD YEAR OF PRODUCTION

Truly amazing lias been the progress oE the dairy industry in the Waikato during the last decade, and remarkable strides in production and dairying generally 'have been made since the days of 18S2, when Mr. Francis Hicks, of Pukekura (Cambridge) installed and operated the first separator. Surely the late Mr. Henry Reynolds, also of Pukekura, little dreamed he was providing the embryo of such a vast industry when, in the year 1884, he erected the first butter factory at Pukekura. In the progress that has followed, the Cambridge district has played an important part. One of the oldest established districts in South Auckland, Cambridge can be rightly described as the original home of the vast industry that now embraces the whole of the .province. Thirty years ago the Cambridge Dairy Company commenced operations, followed a few years later by the Bruntwood Co-opera-' tive Company, and through all the intervening years the district has contributed very largely to Waikato's annual quota of primary produce. In company with other parts of the province, Cambridge district enjoyed a very ■favourable period of climatic conditions for the season just closed, with the result that the returns*were a record, and the wealth greater, despite the lower values. For the season, in a restricted area of eight miles radius, from Cambridge borough, the district supplies' herds, including those of suppliers of the New Zealand Dairy Co., produced the enormous figure of 5,826,0421b of buttcrfat, which, in advances alone, returned to the producers a total of £395,126. The bonuses will, of eovrros, swell this figure very considerably. During the .season the Cambridge Dairy Company's suppliers contributed 3,807,7001b fat, which produced an output of 3000 tons of cheese and 800 tons of butter. The company made advances of £263,420, compared with £242,580 the previous season, an increase\of £20..540. The complete turnover is, of course, not yet available.

The district suppliers to the New Zealand Dairy Company supplied a total ot 1,503,6341b'0f fat, on w.hich advances were made totaling £96,000, while the suppliers to the Bruntwood Company, supplied 515,4081b of fat, compared with 452,9811b last season, an increase of 62.4271b. In advances the suppliers have received £35,105, against £33,087 for the previous year. An Important Industry. Just how much the industry means to the district, and the Waikato, is strikingly indicated by the statistics for the past five years as follow: — CAMBRIDGE DAIRY COMPANY. Season lbs. Buttcrfat. Paid Out. £ 1925-20 .. 2,660,250 209,850 1920-27 . . 2,885,557 202.(13(1 1927-28 .. 2,898,088 237,811 3928-20 .. 3.292.1(11 271,555 1920-30 . . 3,807,000 203,420* 15.552,410 £1,185,608 *Tlic amount credited to tlie season just closed is, of course, for advances only. THK BRUNTWOOD COMPANY. 1025-2(1 573J 39.(105 . l!)2(',-27 010 32,483 1027-28 "'3O 31,537 1028-29 54(1 38,088 . 1920-30 005 35,10 d Additional bonuses, etc., for period 21,370 28G4i £103,283 In addition to the total tons of cheese manufactured for the past season, the company supplied 60851b fat to the Cambridge Dairy Company. The Reasons Why. The reasons for Cambridge's prolific primary production arc firstly, climatic conditions, with a most,,reliable rainfall; and secondly, the nature of the soil. Advanced methods of fanning have played their part, particularly the replacement of the plough by the use of fertilisers. Ihe amount of top-dressing brought into the district during the past season was easily a record. Superphosphate is tho popular dressing, with a small amount of potash, and ala.g in some parts. Boncdust also continues to be used extensively. In a few instances fanners are doing a little with nitrogenous manures, but such activities are, as yet, purely experimental. The popular application of super is 3c\vt to- the acre per application, though many fanners are using larger quantities, and say they are getting justifiable returns. Another factor that contributed to the increased production was the cutting up of several properties and more intensive farming. Many fanners have gone ,in for more subdivision of their farms. Although the distict is an old-established one, a considerable area of new country has been brought in of late,- especially at Te Miro (soldiers' settlement), Whiteball, Taotaoroa and Eoto-o-rangi.

Herd Performances. During the past season some splendid ■herd performances have been put up, a few examples being as follows: — Among the progressive one-man farmers in the district .is Mr. Walter Stokes, of Hautapu district. On his 50-acrc farm he milked during the past season 33 cows and seven heifers, and they produced 15,2801b fat (factory returns) for the season August 1 to May 31, the herd averaging 3821b of fat or 305.61b of fat ; per acre. Other stock carried were nine nine-month-old calves, nine 21-month-old heifers, two horses and a bull; also in the autumn some sheep to keep down the feed. Mr. Stokes' farm is subdivided into U .paddocks, with water available on each. Each day Mr. Stokes shifted his cows from one paddock to another. In the Pukekura district is a farm ot 115 acres, which carried a herd of 75 cows during the season. The herd averaged close up to 4001b of fat. Sheep and Cattle Raising. Although the past season was a very favourable one climatically for sheepraising, those who have been conducting this type of farming, have been "up against it" with the low values, especially for wool. A feature of this class of farming was the record consignments of fat lambs sent for export, especially by Messrs. Vosper Bros, and Jas. Taylor. There is not a great deal of fat cattleraising now, although district cattle brought top prices at Westfield during the season. The New Season. During the past few weeks farmers generally, and dairy factory managers and their staffs have been'busy preparing tor the new season now commencing. Already the cows are coming in fairly fast. Everything points to another good season for production. Dairy fanners are concerned as to tlie market prospects. While there •has been a slight rise in values of late, it does not seem that prices are likely to ■rise a great way above their presentVlevel. It would seem that the increase of over 100.000 tons of butter imports into the United Kingdom since 1922 is likely to keep .prices very close to the level they •have now reached. SALE AT OHURA. OHURA, Friday. At Williams' sale yesterday 60 dairy cows realised an average of £7. Tlie farm of 170 acres realised £16 an acre on a 30 years' lease.