DAIRYING PROSPECTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17843, 26 July 1921, Page 6

DAIRYING PROSPECTS.

EXPANSION OF INDUSTRY.

DEMAND FOR DAIRY PLANT.

QUESTION OF SUPPLY OF STOCK.

A record dairying season is predicted for Auckland this year by those in close touch with the industry, and it is freely stated that in dairy produce will lie the main hope of retrieving in some measure the adverse conditions which have arisen {is a result of the fall in the wool and beef markets.

One significant point in connection with the predicted " boom" in dairying is that there has lately been a great increase in the demand for milking machines, separators, and all kinds of dairy utensils. The manager of one firm that manufactures the former article, stated that the demand this month had been quite 50 per cent, greater than for any month in the last 12 years. "The prospects of improvement in the dairy produce market have led to a revival in the industry," he said, " and farmers who have been going in for agriculture and grazing are now taking up dairying instead. Wherever the country "is level enough for cow?, they are taking off the sheep, although, of course, there is a great deal of land fit for sheep only." Other representatives *of the trade agreed that there had been an increase of from 25 to 33 per cent, in sales of dairying machinery over last year's returns. A fairly large proportion of the orders were stated to have come from soldier settlements, where the men were taking advantage of the prospects for a good season. The. demand was fairly general over the whole of the province, the Waikato district being considered the most important distributing centre. In addition to the increase in demand from individual farmers, there was also stated to be a heavy demand from dairy factories. In some cases the plant and premises wer e being enlarged, and there was ho doubt that but for the difficulties of the financial position, there would be still greater extensions. "So far as I can see, the only difficulty that may arise in regard to the expansion of the dairying industry is in the supply of stock," remarked one authority connected with both stock and dairy trade. "So many more herds are in demand that farmers may find some difficulty in getting all they want. For instance, one man who for two months has been trying to get a herd of 60 cows, has so far managed to secure only 40. Prices for dairy stock have risen fully 100 per cent, during the last four years. The majority of herds in the province number about 60 cows, and there is going to be a keen demand. With a good, up-to-date milking plant., two men cat comfortably manage a herd of this size. By September the season will be in full swing, and it is likely' to be one of the best ever experienced by Auckland farmers."