KING COUNTRY DAIRYING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18471, 7 August 1923, Page 10

KING COUNTRY DAIRYING.

•'; ~—■■■;- :.,..,.■■ PROGRESS AT; OTOROHANGA. Our ;.; King Country correspondent writes:—The? .Otorohanga district is making rapid progress in all matters pertaining to farming and' agricultural operations in so far as those suitable for the locality are concerned, but the rise of the dairying industry here is something in the nature of; a record, even in the wonderful results that have been achieved ail over the King Country in this direction during the past few years. The Otorohanga factory.is under the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy. Company, and a member of the executive, Mr. A J. Heighway, presented a comprehensive and interesting report to the annual meeting of suppliers. .The following figures covering the period since the combined company began operating four years ago refer only to the butter actually sent forward from tho factory for export purposes in the season from August 1 to April 30, and do not take stock pf the amount of butter manufactured in •' those months and consumed on the local market.

In.addition to greater quantity, the output shows a steady improvement in grade over the past four seasons, as the following record indicates .-—Season 1919-20, 89.25 points; 1920-21, 91.5 points: 1921-22, 91.77 points; 1922-23, 92.42 points. The greatest improvement in quality occurred during the past 12 months, and the Otorohanga factory had done good work. _It stood well on the company's list of merit. In -two months the factory had had . every box sent into export store graded superfine. This did not mean that no first or second grade butter had been manufactured, but only that sthe butter exported and made by the factory had been all superfine. Considerable improvements to the plant are now being carried out in anticipation of a big season ahead. These include a new vat j also a new pasteuriser and pasteuriser plant. That the employees are treated with great consideration is irtdicated by the fact that a rest room, provided with shower and hot and cold water baths, and refresh-, ment conveniences, is being fitted up for their use.

Superfine. 1st grade. 2nd grade. 1919-20 .. 417 12 091 3 G97 1920-21 ... 271906 2,*321 » 1946 1921-22 . . . . 30,978 6,677 3,577. 1922-23 > . . 41,153 3,250 2,633