THE DAIRYING SEASON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16309, 16 August 1916, Page 9

THE DAIRYING SEASON.

PROSPECTS IN WAIKATO. FRESH RECORD EXPECTED.

DEPLETED BRITISH MARKETS.

Tee outlook for the coming season, so far as the dairy farmers in the Auckland Province are concerned, appears to be extremely bright, and this remark may be said to apply particularly to the Waikato district, which contains some of the finest dairying country to be found in any part of the Dominion. Reports now coming to hand show that, owing to the mildness of the winter, stock is being brought in in exceptionally fine condition, and it is considered that if but an average spring Is experienced the output for the approaching season will constitute a fresh record. Unlike previous winters there has been no 'dearth of feed during the past few months, and manv of the herds have stood the winter so well that when the spring grass comes away, they will He able to produce immediately to their fullest extent.

"Prospects are better than they have ever been," said the manager of a company handling a large portion of the prc-aui from the Waikato district, when interviewed yesterday. " Factory managers report that the season is going to be. a very early one, and we feel that this will pro\e to be so, judging from the deliveries that are being made already." High Prices in London. Reports from agents on the Home markets anticipate an excellent season for both butter and cheese. It appears that the supply of Danish butter will be very much less than it was last year : the export of Siberian butter has been prohibited, and these two factors have caused a remarkable demand to arise in Britain and France, which is likely to continue for many months to come. The. consequent scarcity has naturally caused prices to advance, and the result is that the New Zealand dairy farmer is going to obtain better prices for his produce than ever before. Already prices have been paid that were not dreamt of previously, as high as Is 5d having been paid for August-September butter, f.o.b. Danish butter is quoted to-day in London at 194s per cwt.. and when a figure like this is reached just after the flush of the season in the Old Country, dairy producers in this country are justified in looking forward to an excellent Home market for at t least the next four or five months. Confidence in Cheese Market. The latest reports from England indicate that London buyers are showing confidence in the future of the cheese market. It was stated by a member of a firm of exporters yesterday that he had received an offer for the coming season's output of B|d. He added, however, that generally there is no life in the market I yet, and there was not likely to be until ] it was known what answer the Imperial ! authorities make to the offer of the factories. |