Northland's Butter Output Below Normal This Year

Northern Advocate, 3 April 1947, Page 3

Northland's Butter Output Below Normal This Year

WITH the end of the 1946-47 production season drawijig closer it has become apparent that the butter output from Northland this year will not be equal to that of a normal season. Provisional estimates from some factories place the season s 4 lower than 1945, but a very ist season’s figures has been

make at from live to 20 per cei substantial improvement on 1 recorded everywhere.

Production returns from Northland dairy factories for March and for the season to date, show that last month's butter make was more than double that of the same month last year, while comparisons of the two seasons’ outputs indicate increases of 10 to 22 per cent.

cream collections on three days a week.

A rapid decline was predicted a fortnight ago. but beneficial and heavy rain, combined with mild day temperatures. checked the speed of the downward production movement. Reports from widespread Northland districts show variations in dairying conditions. From the Maungaluroto factory where the production for the season to date was 17.9 per cent better than last year, it was stated that the butterfat returns were holding on fairly well.

Power cuts have affected production in several areas. Where the cuts occur during the usual afternoon milking period some farmers have ceased milking twice a day. with a conse-

quent loss in production. Difficulties have also arisen with some dairy companies where cut-offs hamper operations which have to be speeded up in order to complete tiie day's make before power restrictions are imposed. The seasonal tapering off of production has commenced in earnest, and most factories have been making their

Feed was still plentiful and cattle were generally in good condition. In the Whangarei area the effects of last week’s rain l ave become apparent but the fall was too late to prevent a slide in production. Cream collection three days a week has operated for the past week.