FARM INSPECTION IS MAKING IMPROVEMENTS IN MILKING CONDITIONS

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7242, 13 June 1930, Page 9

FARM INSPECTION IS MAKING IMPROVEMENTS IN MILKING CONDITIONS

Convincing Figures EXTENSIVE ACTIVITIES OP DAIRY DIVISION Interesting figures relative to tlie standard oil cleanliness observed by dairy farmers in milking operations were placed before the executive of the Manaivatu and West Coast Dairy Companies’ Association, which met in Palmerston North yesterday, by Mr. J. W. Smith, of the Dairy Division. The total number of visits made to dairy farms, including all officers operating in the district, was 7553. In what was known as tho block system? of dairy farm instruction in the district, threo officers were operating and the total visits made were 5(311, or approximately 1573 per instructor. Mr. Smith appended a summary showing the percentage of improvement which had been effected during the season.

In respect of milking sheds, 3397 (G 0.5 per cent.) were classified as good,. 1559 (33.1 per cent.) as fair, and 355 (G. 3 per cent.) as poor. The previous season the figures had been 54. G per cent, good, 37 per cent, fair and 8.-4 per cent poor, so that tliero had been an improvement of 5.9 pci cent, .in the number of good sheds, 3.9 per cent, in the number of fair sheds, while tho number of poor sheds had decreased 2.1 per cent. There were also quoted enlightening figures regarding milking machines, of which 2553 (67.4 per cent, were good, 1010 (27.4 per cent.) fair and 196 (5.2 per cent.) poor. Tho previous year’s figures were GO.l per cent, good, 33.4 per cent, fair and G. 5 per cent. poor. The improvement had thus been 7.3 per cent in those classed as good. G per cent, in those classed fair, and a decrease of 1.3 per cent, in the number of Xioor machines. Mr. Smith showed that there were also poor and only fair hand milkers, as well as machine milkers, and peculiarly enough, the percentages were about the same as in the case of machine milking. Last season’s figures were: Good 1019 (55.9 per cent.), "fair 700 (33.4 per cent.), poor 103 (5.G per cent). However, there had been improvements effected over the previous season, as follows: Good had been increased by 0.3 per cent., fair by 5.G per cent., while ithc percentage of poor milkers had dropped by .S per cent. The general improvement effected by all officers operating was: Sheds,, good 4.S per cent better than the previous season, fair 4.1 per cent, better and poor.S per cent fewer; machines, good G.2 per cent, better, fair 5 per cent, better and poor 1.2 per cent, fewer: hand milkers, good 5.4 per cent, better, fair 5.7 per cent, better and poor .2 per cent, better.

More farms had been visited than hitherto and much valuable work had been accomplished in tendering advice upon, construction and re-erection of sheds and plants, in addition to inspections of installations, rc-ercctions, etc. Ko hardship nor unnecessary expenditure had been incurred by farmers with respect to the enforcement of any regulations. Several first notices had been issued to dairymen who had insanitary plants, etc., when persuasive means had failed. In each ease the notice had been effective and, moreover, it had had a moral effect upon surrounding dairymen. Mr. Smith exi%'csscd appreciation of the friendly way in which farmers had received the visits of officers and the growing sympathy and co-operation in the objective. Tho Dairy Division had on hand plans of cowsheds suitable for all requirements and conditions, which could be secured free from all officers. Mr. G. 11. Stiles observed that it would have been very interesting to learn if there had been any improvement in factory grades as the result of the visits. Members agreed with him, and it was decided to write the department for information. Mr. P. B. Desmond expressed surprise that the ratio of improvement from poor to fair was not so great as from fair to good. One would have thought that the greatest improvement would have been in the poor class.