Northland Dairy Production 76 Per Cent Less In March

Northern Advocate, 1 April 1946, Page 6

Northland Dairy Production 76 Per Cent Less In March

An analysis of March, production figures so far to hand from seven Northland dairy factories reveals an average decline of 76 per cent for the month, as compared with March, 1945. For the season's make to date an average decrease of 2.3.1 per cent is shown.

Total March output from the factories concerned was 310 tons, representing a decrease of 913 tens on figures for the same month last year. Reduced to cash, in terms of the loss of income to suppliers, this decrease represents £136,950. This figure has been arrived at by taking £l5O as the net return per ton to suppliers. Gross return per ton, allowing for a 20 per cent overrun, is in the vicinity of £177. From this amount 3d per lb for manufacturing and other costs has been deducted. Actual manufacturing costs per pound this season will undoubtedly be higher than last season, due to increased wages, transport and subsidiary charges. £368,250 FOR SEASON The greatest decline so far reported for March has been 85 per cent at Kaikohe, and the smallest 70.6 per cent at Hikurangi. The season’s make is so far 2455 tons short of last year’s total, from the seven factories concerned. In loss of income to suppliers this represents £368,250.

As production continues to slide down hill, the loss to producers increases proportionately, and by the end of the season, at the present rate of decline, the monetary loss will amount to staggering figures.

The Waimamaku cheese factory reI ported a 55 per cent, drop in cheese I output. ! As cream collections have been carj ried out on two or three days per i week, the production for the last two 1 days of the month has In most cases j been taken into .account. This, how- | ever, would represent only a small ; fraction of the monthly output, and j would not influence the month’s totals ! to any significant extent. MAUNGATURCTO | The Maungaturoto Dairy Company's | production for March dropped 79.1 per i cent on the total for the same month j last year. 38 tons of butter being made, compared with 182 tons for March, 1945. The season's make to date had fallen by 380 tons, a total of 1398 tons | of butter being made, as against 1778 i tons for the corresponding period last year, representing a decline of 21.3 per cent. BAY OF ISLANDS A decrease of 77.6 per cent, on production for March, 1946, compared with the same month's figures a year ago, was reported by the Bay of Islands Dairy Company. Last month 29 tons 2 cwt of butter were made, compared with 129 tons 15 cwt. The season's make to date was 863 tons 5 cwt. as against 1134 tons 11 cwt for the corresponding period last season. The decline of 266 tons 6 cwt represents a decrease of 23J5 per cent, for the season so far. KAIKOHE The greatest drop in the production of middle north dairy companies wa« the 85 per cent shown by the Kaikohe Coop. Dairy Co. Ltd. Instead of the 58 tons produced in March, 1645, the tally for last month was nine tons. The season's total to date was 29 per cent down on last year, 373 tons having been made, as against 527 tons for the corresponding period last year.

Collections are being made on a twice weekly basis and it is not. anticipated that the factory will close before the end of April. The districts holding out best in this part of Northland are Ohaeawai and Waimate North, but in the immediate vicinity of Kaikohe the season is almost completely finished as far as production is concerned. lIGKIANGA

The Hokianga Dairy Company showed a decline of 72 per cent last month, making 49 tons 17cwt. as against 177 tons 19cwt in March. 1945. The season’s total to date showed a 28 per cent decline, the make being 1076 tons 2cwt. as compared with 1491 tons V’ewt. for 1945.

It is hoped that the factory will be able to go through the winter with collections once each week. The purpose of this endeavour is to encourage suppliers with late and early calvers. The need for extra production for overseas requirements has also been borne in mind. MAUNGATAPERE

At the Maungatapere Dairy Company’s factory, the make for March 1946 was 32 tons 3 cwt. compared with 1.36 tons 7 cwt for the same month last year. The decrease of 104 tons 4 cwt represents a decline of 76.4 per cent in production. The make for the season to the end of last month was 978 tons 9 cwt. compared with 1226 tons 5 cwt for the corresponding period last season, a decrease of 247 tons 16 cwt. or 20.2 per cent.

As from April 1. the company will be making cream collections twice a week.

i A decrease of 72.5 ner cent for the \ month of March was reported by the Whangarei Co-op. Dairy Co., Ltd. Last month 85 tons 17cwt of butter were made compared with 312 ton.-. lOcwt for the same month last year. For the season to date, a decline of 21.8 per cent in production was recorded, 2243 tons being made to March 31. 1946, compared with 2877 tons for the corresponding period last year. Cream collection was carried oil on i a tri-weekly basis during the month, the last collection being made on Friday. March 29. It has been pointed out that two days’ cream was therefore not included in the monthiv figure. This would probably affect the total make by about five tons. More butter was made in May of last year than in March of this vear. IV A IMA MA KU" Northland's cnly cheese factory at j Waimamaku, South Hokianga, pro- ! duced 298.1241bs of cheese to the end of March 1946. as against 342.4621bs for the same period last year. The March production was 19.2961bs compared with 43.1401bs for the same month last year—a decrease of 55 per cent. The Waimamaku factory may close about April 10, instead of at the end of May as is usual. With the exception of the manager and first assistant who arc on a permanent basis, the factory hands will resort to work on neigh- j bouring farms for their winter liveli- j hood. HIKURANGI The Hikurcngi Dairy Company was not so severely affected as others in Northland. Last month 67 tons of butter were produced compared with 227 for the same month last year. This decline expressed as a percentage, was 70.6. The make for the season to date has been 1631 tons compared with 1994 tons last year, or a decrease of 18.3 per cent.