MILK SUPPLY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 8, 11 January 1944, Page 3

MILK SUPPLY

EFFECT OF DRY SPELL

WELLINGTON POSITION

The continued dry spell is having a serious effect on milk production, as also on the fattening of stock. Feed is getting scarce, and the supplies of milk and 'cream going forward to the dairy factories are materially falling off. Copious rains are badly needed over the whole of the Wellington district as well as in the Wairarapa, Manawatu, and Taranaki districts. Locally the position is eased by the control of the majority of the city milk supply by the Corporation department, which is able to make arrangements outside the immediate. Wellington area for a supply in circumstances like the present. The rainless spell is therefore not expected to curtail Wellington's main supply. It is not so long ago .that the furthest milk supply for the department was from Levin, and later from Shannon; but last winter the department went as far as Bunnythorpe on one side of the ranges and Pahiatua and Mangamaire on the other.

PLANS MADE AHEAD.

The prospect of supplying large numbers of servicemen caused the department to make additional arrangements, which are still operative. It is stated by the department that these plans •should ensure an adequate supply to the city. Even if the dry spell lasts to the end of the month there should be ample milk for the city; if the season continues dry later still, it may be necessary to go still further afield.

ASSISTING FACTORS.

While there is a greater demand for milk than formerly, possibly because in the temporary shortages in the supply of eggs and butter people have turned to milk for the necessary fats in their diet, there are factors which will assist the present situation. Cream rationing has meant that milk not available for cream is obtainable as milk, and, during the school holidays, no milk has to be supplied to the schools.

Nearby farmers' production has dropped very considerably in some cases, though some still have a surplus to pass on to the department. Some of them have had to start hand feeding, but on the whole their position is said to be a shade better than it was last year at this time. Unless rain falls soon, however, the conditions will prove desperate for them. The Wellington Dairy Farmers' Association reports that its milk supply is dropping fast, and is well below last year's figure. Over a month their shortage would amount to 2000 gallons daily.