DAIRY PRODUCTION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 283, 27 October 1934, Page 5

DAIRY PRODUCTION.

SPRING OUTPUT LOWER. DECLINE OF 5 PER CENT. The record established for spring dairy production in New Zealand last season has not been equalled this year, and the output to October 13 shows a decline of 5 per cent (says the Auckland Herald). However, the figures for the 1933-34 season showed an advance of about 30 per cent on the previous year, so that this season’s production is still substantially in advance of that of the 1932-33 season. The following table compares the grading returns for the Dominion for the three periods—five weeks ended September 1, four weeks ended September 29, and two weeks ended October 13:— BUTTER.

Total tons to Oct. Reduced to a common basis, the production to October 13 this year _ equals 51,978,6251 b biuterfat, compared with 54,543,4251 b for the same period in the previous year; a fall of 2,564,8001 b, or 4.7 per cent. The output was slightly in advance of the previous year during the first month of the season, August, this being due to favourable weather and ample feed conditions. The lower trend established during September has continued to date, .’this is accounted for probably by less satisfactory weather, conditions, including rather high winds, which have affected the milk yield, especially in unsheltered districts. It is possible also that ‘ the movement from dairying to sheepfarming is beginning to show itself.

FIRM MARKETS. GOOD DEMAND FOR CHEESE. J. and J. Lonsdale and Co., Ltd., London, report as follows: —Butter: Market firm. New Zealand, 70s to 71s; Australian, 69s to 70s. Cheese: Market firm. New Zealand, white, 525; coloured, 50s. Joseph Nathan and Coy., Ltd., have received from London the following cabled advice, dated October 25: —New Zealand butter: Finest, 70s; first, 695. New Zealand cheese: White, 525; coloured, 50s. Both markets firm.

A. J. Mills and Co., Ltd., London, give the following market prices as ruling at the close of business on Thursday:—Butter: The market is firm. New Zealand, finest, 70s to 71s; firsts, 69s (cold stored, Is to 2s less). Australian, choicest, 70s; first grade, 68s. Danish, spot, 110 s; f.0.b., 100 s. Siberian, 64s to 655. Baltic States, 68s to 70s. Cheese: The market is firm. New Zealand, white, 51s to 525; coloured, 50s. Canadian c.i.f., white and coloured, 47s 6d. Dalgety and Co., Ltd., are advised under date October 25:—Butter: Market firmer owing to reduced stocks. Danish, 118 s to 120 s (107.5 to 109 s). New Zealand, finest salted, 69s to 70s (62s to 655). Australian, finest unsalted, 68s to 70s (64s to 68s); salted, 68s to 70s (62s to 655). Australian g.a.q., 65s to 67s (60s to 61s). Cheese: Market firm owing to light supplies. New Zealand, white, 51s to 52s (48s to 48s 6d); coloured, 50s (48s 6d to 495). Spot price for Canadian white, 50s to 52s (50s to 525); coloured, 50s to 51s (50s to 525). Last week’s quotations are shown in parentheses.

CANTERBURY MARKETS. POTATOES CHEAP. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 26. The week has been an exceptionally quiet one in the potato trade. This week’s ship for the north, the Waipiata, is due to sail to-morrow, but it is not expected that she will have many potatoes to pick up. Auckland prices for new potatoes are still at a figure which suggests old season’s potatoes being wanted for a few weeks yet. Whites are worth £2 7s 6d f.0.b., s.i., and Dakotas up to £2 15s. There is some inquiry for the latter from Wellington. Values to farmers for whites are about £1 ss, and for Dakotas £1 10s a ton. , The oats market is unchanged, values being from 2s 7d to 2s 8d a bushel for A Gartons at Lyttelton. There is no local inquiry and overseas business now seems unlikely to recur. Fowl wheat continues at 3s 8d to 3s 9d a bushel, f.0.b., s.e., there being occasional inquiries from the north. The small seeds market shows no change, and values remain firm. WELLINGTON POULTRY MARKET. WELLINGTON, Oct. 27. Prices of live poultry in the Wellington markets this week are quoted as follow i Fowls: White Leghorn hens, 2s 3d to 2s 6d each; cockerels, Is 9d to 2s 3d; pullets, 3s 6d to 4s. Black Orpingtons: Hens, heavy 4s 6d to 5s each; medium, 2s 6d to 3s 6d- cockerels, heavy, 3s 9d to 4s 3d; medium, 2s 6d to 3s. Ducks: Indian Runner, young, 3s 6d to 4s each; old, 2s 6d ho 2s 9d. White, heavy, 4s to 4s 6d Geese, 4s to 5s each. Turkeys, 9d to lOd per lb.

SHEEP SKIN SALES. rise in prices. "LONDON, Oct 25. At the sheep skin sales 5347 were offered including 682 Australian and 1539 ’New Zealand. There was a good attendance and keen competition, the Continent being the. chief buyers. About 65 per cent, was sold. There were some withdrawals of New Zealand sorts owing to the high limits. AH sorts were dearer as compared with September 6. Australian Merino combing is up 1\ per cent; clothing, slightly up; fine crossbreds, 5 to 7\ per cent. All New Zealand sorts were par to 5 per cent up. Lambs were slightly up. , . , Dalgety and Co.. Ltd., have received the following cabled report from their head office London sheepskin sales: Good selection: good attendance. Australian Merino 5 per cent, higher on average. Now Zealand crossbred, irregular. As compared with closing rates of last scries, change, if any, is in favour of sellers. BRADFORD TOPS MARKET. LONDON, Oct. 25. The Bradford tops market is very firm. Sixty-fours are quoted at 26£d. The Royal (N.Z.) Agricultural Show will be held this year on December 11, 12, and 13, in the Southland A. and P. Showgrounds, Invercargill. Schedules are now available and are obtainable from all A. and P. Associations and Secretaries of Breed Societies. North Island exhibitors will be pleased to know that steamer concessions will be given and direct transport by steamer from Wellington to Bluff has been arranged by the Uni-.c*:i S.S. Co. For the convenience of exhibitors a special show train carrying passengers and stock will leave Christchurch for Invercargill on Saturday, December 8, arriving in Invercargill early on Sunday morning. A billeting committee has been formed to arrange accommodation and exhibitors and visitors are advised to communicate at once with the secretary, Mr A. L. Adamson, Box 219, Invercargill.

1954. 1933. Tons Tons August 6,487 6,462 September 10,136 10,912 October (part) ... 7,157 7,450 Total tons to Oct. 13 23,780 24,824 CHEESE. 1934. 1933. Tons Tons August 712 691 •September 4,225 4,629 October (part) ... 3,872 4,204