DAIRY PRODUCE SUPPLIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 266, 10 November 1938, Page 10

DAIRY PRODUCE SUPPLIES.

The tendency towards a decline in the dairy producing industry noted by the report of the Dairy Board towards the end of the season which closed on July 31 has been aggravated by the dry conditions which prevailed during September and October. Fortunately the weather in the Waikato broke before conditions became really serious, and the lush growth which followed will go far towards restoring production for some time, though, of course, it will not be sufficient to compensate for the decreased production of the dry spell. Last year the Dominion's output totalled over £22,000,000, of which Auckland provided £ 13,000,000. This year that figure not be attained, but the prospects for the dairy farmer are much brighter than they were a fortnight ago. The sheep farmer will find his cheque for lamb, which last year totalled £ l,l.">0,000 in the Auckland district, considerably reduced owing to the lower percentage, losses through the epidemic last year, and lighter carcases, but this will by nil appearances be offset to soni£ extent by better prices for wool, judging by the sales in Australia. Auckland's share of the 19,000,000 wool cheque of 1037 was two and a half millions; the total figure was reduced to a little over £12,000,000 last yenr. This season it bids fair to show a reasonable increa-c and it is probable that the sales will produc ■ over £14,000,000. If the flocks and herds nre reasonably free from di.-ea.-e this yenr the position of the farmer, while it will not approximate the peak of 1037, will be reasonably satisfactory, and much better than seemed likely two weeks ago.