N.S.W. DAIRY PRODUCTION

Grey River Argus, 27 June 1945, Page 5

N.S.W. DAIRY PRODUCTION

l ■< BIG FALL THIS YEAR (Rec. 8.20) SYDNEY, June 2b Butter (production in New _ South Wales for the 1944-45 season is expected to total about 32,000 tons, the lowest for twenty years. The State’s cheese production will be about 2,500 tons, against a target of. 4,000 tons. This was reported today by Doctor H. J. Hynes, of tne Department of Agriculture, who also predicted a severe milk shortage. The tonnage of processed milk is about five thousand below that for the corresponding period last year. TWENTY MILLION SHEEP LOST. SYDNEY, June 24. Sheep losses in Australia because of drought are estimated at 20,000,000. The actual and potential losses of sheep lambs through the drought in New South Wales alone are estimated at ten millions. The Australian figure was given by the retiring President, Mr J. Hunter Patterson, at the 65th, annual convention of the Graziers’ Federal Council of Australia. Members of constituent organisations, comprising the Graziers’ Council, own more than 57,000,000 sheep and nearly 4,000.000 cattle. Addressing the convention, Mr Patterson said the past season was one of the most disastrous ever experienced in the grazing industry. Since the majority of losses comprise Merino sheep, a big reduction in the most valuable part of Australia’s wool clin' would result. The financial loss anart from its effect on producers would embarrass the Commonwealth Government’s overseas financial arrangements.