DAIRY PRODUCTION

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 12821, 16 August 1939, Page 7

DAIRY PRODUCTION

FALL OF OVER 13 PER CENT As a result of the season experienced, dairy production in the Dominion during the year ended July 31 was approximately oneseventh less in volume than that of the previous season. The decrease in butter-fat output on the basis of the fat content of the butter and cheese graded for export was approximately 13 J per cent. Butter, being the greater product, suffered more severely than cheese. Roughly, 122,30 a tons of gutter was graded during the year, against 142,800 tons in the, previous year, a fall of approximately 14 per cent. The cheese handled amounted to 81,50 0 tons, against 85,000 tons in the previous year, a fall of about 4J per cent. - Butter production decreased heavily during the closing months of the season, but in cheese there was evidence latterly of some recovery.

A decrease in outpul for the past season 'was reported by practically every dairy company which has so far issued its annual accounts. A dry spring and summer, following an unusually wet winter, were the principal reasons for the unfavourable result, while in the large dairying district of the- Waikato, as well as in other areas, there were serious complaints of a shortage of farm labour. This is supported by the fact that in the majority of dairy company accounts for the season a decline in the number of suppliers is reported. It is early tp guag.e the prospects for the new season, which 'opened at the beginning of the month, but, in view of the higher costs facing the industry generally, farmers are hoping for less difficult climatic conditions than those of last year. Dairy herds are now beginning to come to profit more rapidly and there has been a good demand for dairy stock, although this has eased a little during the recent spell of rough weather. Pastures are waterlogged and farm work is being considerably hampered for the time being.