Butterfat Production Down For June

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31144, 22 August 1966, Page 14

Butterfat Production Down For June

WELLINGTON, August 21. Butterfat processed in June generally amounts to only onehalf per cent of the total season’s production so the production in June. 1966, may not be a reflection of what is to follow in the new season, says the New Zealand Dairy Board’s bulletin.

(New Zealand Press Association)

Butterfat processed this June totalled 2.4 million lb or .4 million lb less than in June, 1965. This was a drop of 14.9 per cent. By regions, Hawke’s BayEast Coast had the biggest drop—43.2 per cent. Otago’s production was up 59 per cent. South Auckland showed a drop of 20.4 per cent and Bay of Plenty nearly 13 per cent. In Taranaki production was up 16 per cent.

In the North Island butterfat processed fell 16.4 per cent: but the South Island figure was up 1.7 per cent. A strongly marked trend to later calving is a major reason for the decline. Some of the dairying districts, however, have also had a fairly hard winter and there are feed shortages. Also, dairy farmers appear to be keeping more calves for herd replacement and enlargement, and for bobby veal. Prospects depend on pasture growth in August and September.