LOWER OUTPUT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 228, 25 September 1943, Page 6

LOWER OUTPUT

DAIRY PRODUCTION

REDUCTION OF HERDS

The probability of reduced production owing to the decrease of dairy herds in the Dominion was referred to by the chairman of directors of the Auckland Farmers Freezing Company, Limited, Mr. W. E Hall at the annual meeting of shareholders yesterday. He said that the butter and cheese production in the past season showed a reduction of 11.19 per cent, compared with the 1941-42 season, and of 21.07 per cent in comparison with 1940-41 Mr Hale said that while climatic conditions would affect the position either favourably or otherwise in the current season, the industry would have to calculate on a decline of 10 per cent or even 15 per cent on last season's figures. He said that if sufficient heifers had been reared to replace the excessive number of cows killed, loss of production would have been to a certain extent checked, but unfortunately the number of heifers between one and two years of age was less by 66,000 at January 31, 1943, compared with the year earlier. The Dominion bobby calf killings for July and August of this year were higher by 11,000 compared with the same months of last year.

Dairy Stock Shortage Mr. Hale said that the reduction ,in the number of dairy cows and heifers would have repercussions in other ways that might be overlooked, also if men were to be rehabilitated from overseas on to dairy farms the position would become almost desperate owing to the fact that dairy stock would not be available to meet the demand. He said that farmers would realise how vital was the part they were playing in winning the war, and would do everything possible to secure that great objective.

Referring to pigs, Mr. Hale said that a number of factors had contributed to the general pig shortage. The first setback was when farmers were advised that Britain would not take any baconers, a decision which was later reversed. Then in April last the maximum price at which pigs could be purchased from producers was stabilised before the cost of production was properly investigated. It meant that pig raisers had a bad start, and their difficulties were increased by the labour shortage and shortage and high cost of pig-feeding material. It was not considered that the prospects for the coming season were bright.