Dry Spell Reflected In Butter Production

Northern Advocate, 2 December 1944, Page 3

Dry Spell Reflected In Butter Production

The bright prospect for dairy production in Northland with which the season began, are not being fulfilled, due to the dry weather conditions of the past month or more. The season opened with a reasonable feed supply and production -was well ahead of the spring ot 1943, but the hopes of a large increase in production are not now being fulfilled. Some of the dairy companies operating in Northland report that their daily output has passed its peak, while others report that they are just holding their own. The class of country from which the particular factory draws its supply is a contributing factor as the dry weather and shortage of fertiliser supplies has affected some types of country to a greater extent than others. Pastures generally are in urgent need of a plentiful downpour, if production is to be maintained even at the decreased level, while the outlook for the hay crop is not hopeful unless heavy rain soon falls. Hikurangi Just Holding

With a gain of two tons of butter when last month’s production figures are compared with November of 1943, the Hikurangi dairy' company is just about holding its daily output figure but, unless rain falls soon, this is likely to decrease. Last month 313 tons of butter were manufactured, as compared with 311 tons for the previous November. The company has made 895 tons of butter this season, a slight increase on the season so far.

Whangarei Fasses Flush

The Whangarei dairy company reached its flush for this season about the middle of last month and since then production has been barely maintained. in fact, there is a slight falling off in daily output. This is in marked contrast to a normal season, when the flush is not reached till about the middle of December. Last month the output was 461 tons, three tons more than that of November, 1943, while the output for the season to date is 1336 tons, 62 tons more than the 1274 tons manufactured up to this time last season. Whangarei draws the greater part of its supply from heavier class country, which is seriously feeling the effect of the lack of fertilisers as well as the lack of rain.

Maungatapere’s Figures

A decrease of 44- tons, or 2.5 per cent, is shown by the Maungatapere Dairy Company when last month’s output is compared with that of November, 1943, the relative figures being 1904- tons in November, 1943. and 186 tons for last month. For the season to date the company is ahead of last season by 20 tons, an increase of 3.68 per cent., the figures being 556 tons for last season and 576 tons for this'. The company is still showing a slight increase in the daily supply of butterfat, so that it is apparent that, in spite of the adverse conditions of the past few weeks, the peak output figure for the season has not yet been reached. This company draws a large part of its supply from herds pastured on volcanic land which is inclined to show the effect of dry conditions to a greater extent than does the heavier types. Manngaturolo’s Increase

The greatest increase in production shown by any Northland dairy factory the output figures of which are so far available is the Maungaturoto factory. During' November. 18 tons more butter was manufactured than for the like month of last year, while for the season to date the increase is 115 tonsLast month the company’s output was 270 tons as compared with 258 tons for November, 1943. and for the season, 854 tons, while last season for the same period the output was only 739 tons. The daily output at the factory is being maintained no decrease being yet apparent.