Dairy Company’s Year Reviewed

Northern Advocate, 22 July 1938, Page 9

Dairy Company’s Year Reviewed

A review of Ihe past season was given, by the chairman of directors, Mr L. Reynolds, at the annual meeting of suppliers of the Maungatapere Cooperative Dairy Co., Ltd., held at the Maungatapere Hall yesterday. “The season 1937-38, from a climatic and production point of view, may be regarded as a good one, but perhaps not on a level with the previous year.” said Mr Reynolds in a report. “The humid heat and dry weather experienced in mid-summer was a strong factor in decreasing the cream supply. The warm rains which followed caused a rapid growth of feed, and to this is largely attributed the presence of eczema in stock, and may also be the cause of the excess in lower-grade cream received as compared with the previous season. Our total production showed an increase of slightly under 42 tons, but this may be attributed to the extra supply from Springhead. Without this additional supply, the production figures would undoubtedly show a decrease. Butterfat Returns. “The final average payment on butterfat over all grades for the season is 14.35 d; owing to a surplus in the Dairy Industry Account the Minister, of Marketing has promised a further payment of .41d, bringing the guaranteed price of butter up to 13.6 d. This extra payment of .41d should equal about .5d on butterfat, bringing our final average payment over all grades up to 14.935 d, approximately 15d. Profit on Local Sales. “The Minister, at New Plymouth, recently stated that the local sales of butter as handled by the Internal Marketing Department, would show a surplus of about £IOO,OOO. This profit would be distributed to factories and would bring the local market price up to 13.66 d, or on a parity with export butter. Buttermilk Disposal. “Owing to the present butterfat contract expiring in September next, tenders were advertised for the purchase of buttermilk from that date. A new contract has now been let to Mr C. D. Dawson at 3/- per ton of butter manufactured, and for a period of five years, but renewable at his option for a further period of five years. Three tenders were receded, the highest being accepted.” Mr Reynolds expressed appreciation of the co-operation and assistance rendered by his co-directors during the year, and also of the services given by the company's staff. The report and balance-sheet covering the year ended May 31 was adopted on the motion of the chairman, the .financial position of the company being commented on with satisfaction by several of those present.