DAIRY INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 100, 28 March 1939, Page 4

DAIRY INDUSTRY.

PRODUCTION AVELL DOWN.

Concerning production at the Cheltenham dairy factory, the secretary of the company (Mr P. B. Desmond), ill a, general statement to-day said the position was very serious. He pointed out that tlie drought conditions this year were iur worse than last year’s in the district covered by tlie factory’s operations. Last year only parts of the district (those on Ihe flat country) had suffered by the drought, while tlie higher areas notably Cheltenham, AVaiata and Raumai, had experienced showers sufficient to keep up the growth of pasture; but tliis autumn the whole district was faring badly and in consequence the production had now dropped to such a degree that the industry was in a very serious position. Asked if there was a likelihood ot the daily collection being reduced to alternate days, Air Desmond said that that was not contemplated. Normally that procedure was not adopted nntii A!ay, but at the present rate ol diminution it was likely that the mipply would warrant only alternate days collection in the near future. Milking herds are drying off rapidly and dairy farmers no doubt will experience a long break in production unless rain comes very soon.