Bay Of Islands Shows Decline, But Improving

Northern Advocate, 18 July 1939, Page 3

Bay Of Islands Shows Decline, But Improving

A decline is also reported in the 38th annual report of the Bay of Islands Co-op. Dairy Co.. Ltd., to be submitted to the annual meeting at Ohaeawai next Tuesday. The make of butter for the season war. 1133 tons 9cwt., a decrease of 188 tons compared with the preceding season, equal to 16.6 per cent. Of the total production 963 tons 17cwt. was forwarded for export, the remainder being sold in the Dominion. The* report last year estimated a total payment for butterfat of 13.81 d and further receipts enabled this amount tc be increased to 14.32 d, or approximately id more than the estimate. Advances during the past season were: June. July and August, 121 d for finest grade; September to May, 14d for finest grade. The August payment was raised to 14d by a further payment of Ud per lb. on December 20. The credit balance of the appropriation account provides sufficient for a further and final payment over the year's butterfat of l:;d which will be paid on July 20. Payment For Season. The payment for the season will then be: Finest grade 15.75 d. first grade id less and second grade lid less. The average during the whole year over all grades will be 15.37 d. With the cost of cream collection added the return at the farm gate will be: Finest 10.33 d. first 15.83 d. second 14.83 d, an average of 15.95 d. ‘■The quality of cream received was fairly good, showing an improvement over the 1937-38 season,” states the report. “There is ample scope for fur-

tlier improvement. The improvement in the quality of the cream has been reflected in the quality of the butter." The average test was 39,49 per cent during the 1937-38 season and this season 38.05 per cent. The average grade of butter for export was 94.18 compared with 93.41 the previous season. The cream grade percentages were; Finest 54.1 G pot cent (42.87 per cent), first 38.97 per cent (40.84 per cent), second 0-S7 per cent (10.29 percent).