Big Dairy Output Expected This Month

Northern Advocate, 2 December 1939, Page 4

Big Dairy Output Expected This Month

Northland dairy companies are looking for big things in the way of production during the present month. By the end of October, all were catching up on the leeway of a poor spring.

By November 10, a number of companies, Hikurangi among them, were actually showing an increase on the corresponding period of last season.

The effects of the dry spell, then becoming pronounced, steadied production, and in some instances a decline occurred.

This was particularly so in volcanic regions, where frequent rain is necessary. However, the steady rain of the past week has resulted in production again improving, although the full benefit is not expected until fine weather succeeds overcast conditions. ■Whangarei Make Up. "The rain has made all the difference between a good and a bad spring,” the manager of the Whangarei Company (Mr W. H. Millington) stated today. The output from the Whangarei factory last month was 392 tons 5 cwt, against 373 tons 16 cwt. for November, 1938. For the season to date, 1024 tons 13 cwt. have been manufactured. This is still slightly below the 1037 tons 3cwt. for the same period last season, but Mr Millington anticipated that the deficiency will be more than overcome during December. Maungatapere Production, During the middle of November, production at the Maungatapere factory fell away by half a ton daily, attributable largely to heavy losses from bloat. Within a radius of two miles of the Maungatapere Post Office, 200 animals died.

Having recovered • constitutional strength, cattle are able to assimilate the present flush of feed, and further losses have been reported in the fast few days. The rain has had a marked effect already, production in the last few days having jumped half a ton. In November, the output was 164 tons, or one ton better than for the same month last year. For the season it has been 461 tons compared with 502 tons. Little Change at Waipu.

Although definite figures were not available this morning, the Waipu output last month was practically the same as for November, 1938. Heavy rain was still falling at Waipu this morning, and herds have not yet responded to the refreshed pastures, although they are expected to do so immediately the sun appears. Hikurangi’s Feat Hikurangi becomes the first company in the middle north to better last season’s production at this date, the increase being only 1.2 per cent., however. From June 1 to November 30, the output has been 747 tons 6cwt, compared with 738 tons 9cwt for the same period of the previous season. Last month 280 tons 2cwt of butter was made, an increase of 20 tons 4cwt, or 7.7 per cent, on November, 1938. Harder hit than most companies because of drop in supply from its coastal districts through last season’s drought, Hikurangi has made a notable advance since the beginning of the present year. Output in October was only lOcwt less than the record for the month, and this despite the fact that fewer cows were being milked. Production was just holding its own before the advent of this week’s rains, but the future is assured.