DAIRYING INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18495, 4 September 1923, Page 10

DAIRYING INDUSTRY.

THE SEASON 8N THE NORTH,

GOOD INCREASE EXPECTED.

EXTENSIONS TO FACTORIES.

The dairying season usually commences rather earlier in North Auckland than in other parts of tho province. Reports from Heiuxd correspondents in various districts of the North, indicate that increases in production will bo general among the dairy factories. The season is rather backward, but the prospects are considered good. The great potentialities of North Auckland are now becoming widely recognised. Extensive areas ot Rood country are still available for development and it has been demonstrated that certain classes of country hitherto, more or less neglected, can by readily adapted to dairying by tho application of modern fanning methods, With the trend of settlement steadily setting towards the north, substantial annual increases in dairy production may bo expected from that district lor years to come. Kalpsra.

The prospects for the coming dairying Season in the Kaipara district aro very coed. Feed is beginning to come away now and tho (intensive additions to the Helensville Dairy Factory are nearing completion. A new 90 horse-power engine is being added to the engine room to cope with the increasing output, which was over 100 tons in excess of that of tho previous season. There are good prospects for a groat increase this season. Tho additions to the Helensville Dairy Factory include much modern equipment The chairman of directors, Mr. Ha>iau«, considers that tho factory will bo ouo of the best equipped in tho province. Northern Wairoa.

The prospects for dairying in the Northern Wairoa district arc good and supplies are coming to hand more freely since the weather changed for the better Feed in some districts is rather scarce and farmers are being punished for lack of foresight in not providing crops of hay. Abnormal rain during the winter also had the effect of putting * large area of grass land on the flats under water and this. with lack of hay. has had the effect of keeping cows backward. The oarlv part of tho season is not expected to be as good as last year. It is hoped that with a little sunshine, conditions will change for the better and (ho ' supply in tho flush of the season equal that of last year. It is also expected that •tho number of cows milked will show an increase, and this with a better quality of cow, will help to keep up the supply. Tempting offers have been made to both the Ruawai and tho Northern Wairoa companies for their outputs, and the directors of both ; companies are quite satisfied with fhe outlook. At the < Bimwai Co.'s meeting on Wednesday a sheaf of telegrams were received making offers for the season's output!, one being . for 100,000 boxes at a very fine price. This, however, is too large a contract for Bnawai, whose principal output is cheese. Wnangarei and Hckianga. The early commencement of the dairying season in North Auckland, has been affected by a long spell of wet, accompanied by unusually cold days and bitterly frosty nights. The 'improved weather during August has, however, begun to show results, and th* Whangarei Dairy Factory commenced its double weekly collecting' run two weeks ago. The Hokianga Dairy Factory opened on August 1, and a steadv increase .is noted in its supplies. Last year it closed for a month. This year the period was reduced h-j half, and the earlier opening has been ■justified. If the recent cold and wet •Weigher is' now followed by a spell of warm sunny days like those at present prevailing, there are excellent; prospects of a good dairying season throughout the north. Bay of Islands Prospects.

The exceptionally long spell of wet weather, with intervening cold spells that has characterised this winter in North 'Auckland, has been very hard on all kinds of stock. The early growth of grass was checked with the result that pastures are poor and many stock owners have been compelled to sell, owing to lack of feed. Dairy herds in the Kaikohe district have suffered in common with other stock, and a large number of cows are coining in. in poor condition, and on to poor pasture. Even though some suppliers ,are changing over to sheep, there is every prospect that there will be an increase in supplies to the northern factories in the commg season, as not only are dairy herds being increased, but the quality, owing in a great measure to the adoption of herdtesting and the importation of pedigree bulls, is steadily on the up-grade.