N.Z. DAIRY PRODUCTION LESS THIS YEAR THAN ESTIMATED

Grey River Argus, 6 May 1948, Page 4

N.Z. DAIRY PRODUCTION LESS THIS YEAR THAN ESTIMATED

Weather Not Favourable P.A. WELLINGTON, May 5 The probable round figure total of New Zealand dairy production for export in the 1947-48 season would be 130,000 tons of butterand 80,000 tons of cheese, said Mr William Marshall, chairman of the New Zealand Dairy Products Marketing Commission today. Mr Marshall said that, with the exception of the North Auckland district, the dairy production in the late summer and the autumn had been disappointing. He said dry weather had caused an unusually rapid decline in output everywhere, except in North Auckland and the Bay of Plenty. He continued: “In consequence, tne earlier estimates of production will not be realised. We are now in the ninth month of the gkport season, and the production will be lower over the next three months. It therefore is possible to assess fairly closely the quantities available for export in the 1947-48 season. These quantities are estimated, in round figures, at 130,000 tons of butter as against 125,000 tons last season; and 80,000 tons of cheese as against 82,000 tons last season. The decline iry cheese is partly due to a diversion of milk to casein manufacture for the 'United Kingdom Board of Trade. Ifiis stated in round figures the producted for export over the last three years has been as follows: — 1945- — Butter, 112.000 tons; cheese, 86,000 tons. 1946- — Butter, 125,000 tons; cheese, 82,000 tons. 1947- (estimated): —Butter, 130,000 tons; cheese, 80.000 tons.