DAIRYING INDUSTRY

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXI, Issue 10923, 24 September 1932, Page 3

DAIRYING INDUSTRY

Farmers’ Freezing Company’s Works

LAST SEASON’S QUANTITIES.

The following references to dairy produce was made by the Chairman, Mr J. E. Makgill. at the annual meeting of shareholders of the Auckland Farmers’ Freezing Co., Ltd., yesterday:—

The output of butter has again made a record, the increase over the previous season being 294,156 boxes, or 11.3 per cent. There was, however. a reduction in the cheese output of 27,960 crates or 11.3 per cent, on the previous season. The year’s output on a butter-fat basis being 8.8 per cent, higher than the previous season. This result might well have been greatly exceeded, as, although the northern districts had an exceptionally good season climatically and had an increase in production of about 24 per cent., and the East Coast districts almost as good a season as the North and had. an increase of about 23 per cent., the Upper and Lower Waikato districts had an unusually dry season and and although there must have been a considerable increase in the number of cows milked, there was little or no increase in output. As at January 31, 1931, there were in the North Auckland stock districts 284,20 2 dairy cows and heifers 2 years and over and in the South Auckland district 478,465, a total of 762,667 for Auckland. This is equal to 47.6 per cent, of the Dominion total. The Auckland total represents a 13.5 per cent, increase over 1931. It is interesting, also, to note that in both dairy heifers one year and under two years, and dairy heifers under one year, there seems to be ample numbers coming on to maintain the herds. In the under two years class there are available equal to about 22.3 per cent, of the total dairy herd numbers, and in the one year class there are about 24 per cent. In these classes Auckland possesses 48.9 per cent, and 50.8 per cent, respectively of the Dominion totals. It is unfortunate that price levels of our dairy produce should have been on so low a basis this past season and the upward movement of the past week or two is very encouraging. It must, however, be recognised that unless there is an improvement industrially in Great Britain, we cannot look for much higher price levels if we are to have our increasing output absorbed. New markets may, of course, open, but as yet this has not shown much sign of important development. l£ is pleasing to see that the topdressing—included limed —area increased in 1931 over 1930 by 222,568 acres for the Dominion. It seems also as if the quantity of manure being used this year may again show an Increase. The indications are that this new season will again show a large increase in dairy produce.