DAIRY INDUSTRY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 13 June 1928, Page 9

DAIRY INDUSTRY.

“IN BETTER SHAPE FOR FUTURE.” ANNUAL REPORT OF N.D.A

‘•As ilie early spring months were favoured with good dairying weather, the production returns were exceptionally high up to the end of 1927. and Hopes were held that a definite record would be established lor the season. Unfortunately, from November onwards a protracted drought prevailed in the major dairying distiic-ts of the North Isianci, and as a consequence the autumn I ailed to maintain the earlier promise. The final outcome of the season will probably !:e that the total but-ter-fat, production will be but little higher than that of last year. This result, having regard to the conditions, L in itself very satisfactory. Had it not been for the application of fertilisers and the other causes mentioned, the decline, due to the drought, would have teen far more marked than has been the case, and the position, therefore is that the dairy industry is in reality in better shape for the future than at any time in its history." *n t7io above terms Hie executive of the National Dairy Association- of New Zealand. Ltd., prefaces its thirtyfourth report, which will be presented at the- annual meeting at Palmerston North on June 19.

The report shows that the roll now stands at 227, a decrease of 14 members as compared with last year. “The expectation was general on the opening of the 1927-28 season that, oiven reasonably good weather, a record in production would be established.” the report proceeds.

•‘The basis for this belief was the extraordinary increase in top-dressing which had obtained as a result of the fertiliser war in the North Island as from January, 1927. The low nrices thus brought about gave a- wonderful stimulus to top-dressing activities, anti introduced not only a more generous apllication of fertilisers by farmers who vvere already convinced of its merits, (hot- induced a number who had not- formerly adopted the practice to make the experiment with very satisfactory results. “In addition to this factor, an increasing number of farmers had been engaged in herd testing, culling and the use of pedigree bulls.” SLUMP IN CHEESE QUALITY. “In May. 1927,” the report continues “butter ranged in value from ld2s to 170 s (unsalted 164 s to 180 s), and t>o remained with minor alterations, until the end of August. The months of September and October showed an improvement. the prices for these two months ranging from 174 s to 182 s. Prom then onward the market was steady with a downward tendency. The lowest point touched was in January 1 ,-ls per cut. Cheese prices have been well maintained throughout the year, the minimum prices recorded being 82s in May, rising to the maximum of lOtiis in September-October. In November a gradual drop was experienced, and prices held firm between 90s and 98s to end of April. The quality of the butter manufactured and exported during the year has been well maintained the proportion of finest being a little better than that of the preceding year. This has not been the ease, however, with cheese, because following on the abolition of the Dairy Hoard’s premium or id per II) for ‘finest’ grade cheese, many factories have apparently been content to concentrate on ‘yield, rather than on ‘quality,’ with the result that the proportion of cheese- grading ‘finest,’ has slumped heavily over that ruling in the preceding year. “In the- case of butter, it is to be noted that as from January 1, 1928, no butter containing preservative could bo imported into Great Britain. The New Zealand butter makers were well prepared for this change, which indeed bad been foreseen as inevitable for ears past, and even before the prohibition became operative, practically 89 per cent, of the butter exported did not contain preservative. The change was therefore effected in this country without any disadvantage to the quality of the make, PROPAGANDA FROM LONDON. '"Some propaganda has emanated from i.ondon objecting to the elimiu-1 ation oi boric from colonial butters. j itiere is deiinite eviuen--e to justny the: idle that this propaganda originated • lorn the blenders, woo we,e m the! laliit o, using large quantities of col-! unal butters lor blending purposes, i ..itn the restrictions i,n the use <h i •joric it- was found that this blended I .utter failed to stand up to couditiun.j; m competition with unb.emleu i\ew j Zealand nutter, and, as indicated, the l instituted propaganda, suggesting that New Zealand and Aus-1 tralian dairy interests should approach [ the British Government with a view tj Having the restrictions removed. Need-1 lews to say, tnesc representations wore] not ae-eded to, as at any rate in the I case of New Zealand, this country’s attainments in quality make and trails-' port conditions are such that boric is n-t required. The effect of the res trie-! lions is wholly to the good- of Ncm j /..unbind dairy interests and will certainly have tiie effect of furthering the I sale of New Zealand butter under its 1 own name, and in an unolended lorm.

"In the case <fr cheese, experiments are being undertaken to transport and place cheese on the London market with a minimum loss of moisture. The inactive is Lee- mmg very general o' waxing cheese to eliminate shrinkage, and to is is recommended by a number of the London agents, by it a saving oi approximately 1 per cent, can be made, and it is claimed the cheese is placed on the market in better condition. u e anticipate that this practice will steadily expand. It is essential that only well-made cheese should be subjected to waxing. Another development along the same lines, which is eiiig watched with some interest, is chat of the vacuum packing of cheese m pressed steel containers. Experimental shipments so packed have been made, and although the out-turn has not been quite favourable, according to London reports, further shipments aie being made in mii > experimental way. It is claimed for this process that ripening of the cheese is not restricted by vacuum packing, and that the package ciiects a saving in carriage and shrinkage. It is too early vet to predict the filial out-turn of this experiment, but it certainly would appear to have possibilities, both in regard to cheese and hi; iter. DISC IU MIN ATI ON AGAINST NEW ZEALAND LETTER.

•‘Considerable interest has been maui.ested during the year in the concern shown by Australia at the importation of New Zealand butter into tlm country,’’ continues the report. “Always oi a. seasonal nature, this has ocn iiitensiiied because of the operation of what is known as the ‘Pater* •5..11' scheme in the Commonwealth. Under this the opportunity offered for the importation of butter from New Zealand is on a fa vourable basis. The Australian dairy men objected to this

sis upon /their own lucrative* | home market. So much concern rie- , veloped over the position that Australian Minister of Customs, the late Hon. H. E. Fratten, was dispatched by In's Government to New Zealand to consult with tiie Hon. Downie Stewart, Minister of Customs in this country, oneeining the imposition of 6d petlb duty against New Zealand butter. It was desired this should be made •operative- in a less period than the six mouths required by the agreement between the two countries. \\ o must congratulate the Hon. Downie Stewart upon his firmness in resisting this suggestion, and maintaining the need for the lull term - required under the agieement. While the Australian dairymen must- have full liberty of action to determine tlieir own course, we cannot but think it regrettable that prohibitive barriers should be erected restricting trade between parts of the Umpire.”