CREAM SUPPLIES TO BUTTER FACTORIES

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22436, 24 June 1938, Page 6

CREAM SUPPLIES TO BUTTER FACTORIES

«o tub bditob or rna ratss. Sir, —In commenting on my letter about cream collection, both Mr Agar and Mr Smith have failed to reply to my contention that former suppliers of the Sefton Dairy Company have been penalised by being forced to send their cream tO' Christchurch. I am quite aware that the service given is the same as that given by the two Christchurch companies before the closing of the Sefton factory. I should like to point out, however, that objection to this method of collection was the main factor that caused the bulk of the dairy suppliers, in the district bounded by the Ashley and Waipara rivers, to supply the Sefton factory rather than the Christchurch companies. It is a well-known fact that cream deteriorates rapidly when left for considerable periods with the-can lids closed down, as the gases which are given off. even by sweet, fresh cream are unable to escape, and are reabsorbed by the cream, spoiling the flavour, and consequently lowering the grade. I challenge either Mr Agar or Mr Smith to deny that it is definitely harmful to cream to leave it in closed cans for long periods. I am quite well aware, as are most dairy farmers, that many factors can affect the quality of cream. The worst of these is probably food flavours. In cream affected by food flavours, the effect of the delay in getting the cream to the factory is even more disastrous. In my own case, ail cream was graded finest quality up to the middle of January, at which time trouble started with cream being graded down for food flavours. Early in February, however, a change was made in the method of collection, by which the cream was taken to Christchurch and dealt with on the same day on which it left the farm. It is highly significant that the trouble with grading fell to very small proportions immediately; and from what I have heard from other farmers it was the same all over the district. The same bother began again, however, when the cream was collected only once weekly and the old method of sending the cream to the factory was reverted to.

Generalisations regarding the average standard of cream received at the Christchurch factories are of little value, as it has to be remembered that a very considerable portion of cream received at these two factories is taken direct to the factories by motor-lorries. which pick it up at the farm gate. In. the same way the statement about the percentage of second-grade cream received from North Canterbury has to be offset by the fact that direct transport to the factory is -the practice as far north as the Ashtley river. I am prepared to admit that at this time of the year it probably would not pay to take the cream direct to Christchurch by motor-lorry; but it cannot be denied that this is the only way which would give suppliers a service comparable in efficiency with that formerly received from Sefton factory, and Mr Agar and Mr Smith should give their full consideration to the question of direct cartage to the factory in the coming season. The winter position could probably be met by sending the cream on the morning train, as was done earlier in the season. 1 may say that, apart from the method of collecting the cream, I am thoroughly well satisfied with the factory to which I am sending my cream. —Yours, etc., J. PAGE. Leithfield, June 17, 1938. [This letter was referred to the two dairy companies concerned and the managements state that neither company wishes to become involved in further newspaper correspondence. "It is agreed,” they say, “that during the

summer months it is desirable, both in the interests of suppliers ani l the working of the factory * or cream to be brought in by road;- but during the winter months, when so little cream is coming forward ii is considered to be in the best interests of suppliers to arrange for transport in the cheapest way. At the saine time, the companies would advise toe correspondent that both factories receive considerable quantities of cream which takes longer to reach the factory than cream from the Sefton district, and, as grading returns supplied to the Agriculture Department’s officer and already quoted, show, very little trouble in regard to grade is experienced if supplying dairies comply with Government regulations in regard to the proper cooling of the cream and care of plant.”]