THE MILK YIELD.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 22, 9 January 1911, Page 9

THE MILK YIELD.

SOUTHLAND FARMERS COMPLAIN.

Dairy farmers are complaining of the falling-off in the milk yield, says the “ Southland News,” and the reduced quantity of milk received from their cows as compared, with last year, which, by the way, was a phenomenal year for grass. The milk yield per cow is on an average quite one-third less than it was lost year. This is attributed chiefly to the fact that the grass was slow in coming away in the spring, and the weatjier not being conducive to luxuriant growth the pasture was kept bare throughout the season. It is not anticipated that the export of cheese for this year will show a falling-off ; on the contrary, an appreciable increase is expected. This is owing to the almost unprecedented expansion of the industry in this province, which will more than counterbalance the reduced yield. Another complaint amongst milk suppliers is that they are not getting as good a price for their milk this season as they were last. This is accounted for lyv the fact that most of the Southland factories are shipping their output of cheese on consignment, and require to work on a safe margin. Last year the bulk of the factories sold their season’s output at the commencement of the season, which gave them an assured finance. Owing to the excellent prices ruling for cheese, factory suppliers may, however, console themselves with the almost practical certainty of a substantia] bonus at the end of the season.