NATIONAL DAIRY ASSOCIATION

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 226, 12 June 1918, Page 8

NATIONAL DAIRY ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL REPORT AN EVENTFUL YEAH The twenty-fourt.li annual report, of the National Dairy' Association shows that the exports of 'dairy produce for the year ended March .11 were, worth nearly ■£7,01)0,000, made up as nnder:— J; • Butter -. 2,50",MU Cheese 4,481,937 1'6,!)G9,001} During the past year, from May 1, 10J 7' to .April 30, IIIIS, 42 steamers were loaded with dairy produce, as compared with 53 for the corresponding period of lust year. li. is welt to nole that a rccord shipment of Imtter for one steamer was made in the s.s. on April 11,. 1918, of 113,5(19'.b0w5,. This is certainly a record for the Dominio.l,'and probably the heaviest shipment made in any steamer in the past. The s.s. on March 23, 1918, «hipp?il.. a large consignment of cheese—viz., -yj.-iOG cases. The lieavv "hold-over" of. bntler and cheese at the end of last season was a cause of grave anxiety, not only from the point: of view of the want of transport accommodation, but from the need of additional cool storage for cheese. In reeu-rd to 'butter the. position was not relieved till the end of October. 1937; on the other hand, cheese which had been purchased by the Imperial Government up to July 31, 1917, was. not shipped finally until Nocem'bar. During the year one new butter factory was'registered and L'l new cheese factories. Salts to imperial Government. Reviewing the negotiations for tile sale of butter and. cheese to the Imperial Governnitint, the report states that in view of-the sale of /the Canadian cheese output to thd v liuporial Government at 23 cents, or lljd. per pound, the' New Zealand producer is' entitled to advance the price of next season's New Zealand cheese 'by jd., as compared with the price, paid for 1917-18, \yith respect to butter, although the Imperial Government made an undertaking to equally divide the profits received ' over and above ,1575. per cwt./with the New Zealand ' exporters, 'the report states:— "There is a, great deal of doubt existing, when consideration is given to possible losses and charges, whether any profit will be available or not. This (1575.) was far below the real market value, and the payment on this basis to butter' suppliers will compare very unfavourably with that paid to cheese suppliers. The policy of the Imperial Government to control.local prices of butter and the acceptance of the Commonwealth of 151s. 'for Australian butter were factors in determining the figure at which New Zealand butter wiis secured. As to the future disposal of- next'season's output, it is impossible to forecast a value. If the local • market prices are maintained, which manufacturers have agreed to do, theij such ni'e entitled to a considerable advance this year on the butter exported as compared with thai; received "during 1917-18." f During 1917 the only exports to countries other' than the United Kingdom were 3719 boxes to Australia.'

The workiug arrangement come to with Australian producers at the Sydney Conference .iva..s to the effect that a minimum of 17os. per cwt. was fixed as the selling price for' the 1318-19 butter output. ■•The largest butter exporting port in the Dominion was Auckland, with 505,9 M taxes, and tho larttcst cheese exporting port Wellington, with 167,381 crates. Total exports for tho Dominion, were 577,790 r-rates of cheese and 819,707 boxes of butter.

Quantify More Than (luality.

In referring to the conditions of the past season it 'has to bo borne in mind that many keen observers of cliitmtio 'conditions affirm "that the spring and summer of 1917-1S is the best the Dominion has ever experienced." ]f abuii- • dance nt feed for stock, absence of any serious drohght, anil generally a plentiful supply of ra,m in most districts constitute the "best esason," then the assertion is ■perhaps correct. In considering n question of this character the price of stock 'and the soiling values of'commodities does not influence, or should not influence, our judgment as to a definite decision; Speaking from a dairying standpoint, the season line been more conducive'to quantity than qtialitv.* The season'began fairly early, the'dairy herds were in good condition, and the. prospects for an exceptionally long aud profitable year were in evidence.. Unfortunately, in some of the-dairying districts during November and December little or no rain fell, with .the result that heavy lands raked, and the gross did not respond. I hen, from the heginuini of 191S rain has lieeii constant and plentiful, conset|iienlly the latter part of the eummer has been a perennial spring, and winter 'pastures are assured. Pastures that remain throughout a. season springlike in growth are frequently "washy" a,nd wantin? in "body, with the result that the fattening qualities are not of the best, and, irhile milk way be abundant, the , fat content is reduced. In this respect the season has not beMi good, but in .other directions, such as output, there liii' bwn a considerable increase.