NORTH TARANAKI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19158, 26 October 1925, Page 14

NORTH TARANAKI.

DECLINE IN PRODUCTION. The very severe spring that has been experienced is reflected in the decreased output from the dairy factories of nearly 10 per cent, as compared with the same period of last season. Though the weathe-r of the past few days has shown a decided improvement, it will be some time before the milk yield receives any appreciable benefit,, as the cattle are so low in condition that they will need to build up first. This season illustrates another lesson to the dairy farmer that he cannot provide too much food for his stock during the winter and spring months. It % y as thought last season that ample provision in the shape of hay, root crops etc., had been made, but the very severe spring caused most farmers to reach the end of their resources in that respect. The returns of the dairy produce re- • ceived into the grading stores at Moturoa show that for the period from June 30 to October 10, 27,670 boxes of butter and 18,997 crates of' cheese were handled, compared with 37,618 boxes of butter and 14,889 crates of cheese for the corresponding period of last season. This season there is a decrease of 9948 boxes of butter, but an increase of 4108 crates of cheese. Owing to the high prices offering for cheese at the beginning of the season, factories started making cheese earlier than was the case last year. In butterfat the position is that 2,440,3161b. were produced this year, compared witn 2,661,3861b. last year. Dairy factories are advancing morrj this -vear than was the case last year, and that largely compensates the farmer for the decreased supply. The four factories operating round Inglewood, viz., Makei tawa, Tariki, Tarata, and Kaimata paid ! out on October 20, £69.30 as compared with £6073 on October 20, last year. Tarata and Maketawa butter factories are advancing Is 6d as against Is 5d last year. Kaimata, a factory, is advancing Is 8d as against Is 2a, and Tariki Is 6d as against Is 3d. —(North Taranaki Correspondent.)