GREATER DAIRY OUTPUT

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25935, 15 October 1949, Page 6

GREATER DAIRY OUTPUT

GOOD WINTER AND MORE COWS

AUGUST BUTTER GRADINGS SHOW 30 PER CENT. RISE "The Press” Special Service AUCKLAND. October 14. Butter-fat production in New Zealand in August was 21 per cent, greater than that of the previous peak output for August, reached in 1948. This increase was achieved largely as a result of a generally mild winter and prolific pasture growth.

Butter-fat received for manufacture by dairy companies throughout the Dominion during August was 25.520.000 lb, compared with 21,040.0001 b in Auggust last year, and a five-year average of 18,787.0001 b. In all, 2111 tons more butter and 264 tons more cheese were graded for export, compared "with the gradings of August. 1948. which was also a favourable month for production.

Increases in production wore substantial in almost every part of the Dominion. with the output for the North Island showing an increase of 21.4 per cent., and that of the South Island, a rise of 14.8 per cent. With the exception of Otago, where butter-fat receipts declined by a little more than 1 per cent., the amount of butter-fat received in individual districts showed increases varying from 11.4 to 29.5 per cent.

Gradings of dairy producq for export also showed a sharp increase for the month. Gradings of butter during August. at 9065 tons, were 30.4 per cent, higher then the total for August of last year, while cheese gradings, at 1484 tons, increased by 21.6 per cent. In addition to favourable conditions, official sources indicate ah increase of at least 50,000 cows over the total of last year. The effect of early calving was also a significant factor. August was actually an unsettled month and pasture growth was not as good as the previous month, but conditions were generally favourable. Colder weather has since intervened, but the effects have been lessened by some warm rains and preliminary reports for September are highly favourable.