DAIRYING INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19416, 26 August 1926, Page 14

DAIRYING INDUSTRY.

NEW SEASON'S PROSPECTS

AN AUSPICIOUS OPENING

HERDS IN GOOD CONDITION

Further reports from Herald correspondents m various parts cf the provinco state the new dairying season is opening auspiciously. Excellent conditions have been experienced during the winter, the herds aro in good trim and an increase in output during the season is expected. The Cambridge District. The Cambridge correspondent fjtates that although the season hps not advanced beyond the opening stage the prospects are particularly bright and'already there is sufficient evidence to justify the prediction that production will be quite as good if not better than the past season. A ' gratifying feature is the excellent condition of. the district herds. Favoured by mild weather during the depth of the winter the milkers have como through in great heart and with the aid of abundant hay and supplementary crops have been able to take on condition that will stand them in good stead during the present lactation period. The pastures are now coming away splendidly. The early growth of grass has been brought about by the mild rains experienced of late and the absence ot tho usual number of frosts. Artificial stimulation is also playing a much more important part than was the case a few years ago. District farmers are recognising that to keep the pastures in first-class heart they cannot go on continually draining from them without replacing sufficient plant food to renew the growth. A large increase in the quantities of fertilisers coming into the district is noticeable. Most farmers report that the calving period has been more regular and that the cows are coming to profit with a lower percentage of losses through 'abortion and other associated maladies. Steady Increase of Output. Year by year the ateadify increasing butter-fat returns of the district bear testimony to the more up-to-date farming methods employed by producers. The value of herd-testing and the more liberal uso of fertilisers, scientifically applied, are being appreciated to a greater extent. During the past season the Cambridge Dairy Company tested nearly 2000 cows and it is expected the number will bo exceeded during the present season. A herd-testing group has again been formed by the company and is being well supported. The average for all cows tested last season' was 2301b. of butter-fat; the highest herd average being 3151b. and the lowest 1611b. The season will see little alteration in the number of larmors supplying the local factories, although there will be some fresh faces, several farms having changed hands during the , -past three months.

As an indication of how the district is bonnd up with and dependent upon dairying it is of interest to note that the total number of dairy cows is now over 20,000. Of this total 13,500 supply the Cambridge Co-operative Dairy Company, tho company's butter-fat. returns last season being 2,667,0631b, which was an increase of 5| per: cent, on the previous year. Provided the conditions during the summer period are favourable it is anticipated the current season's- returns will show at least a similar increase in production. Equally optimistic reports come from the Bruntwood Dairy Company find the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company s Pukekura and Karapiro factories. The Bruntwood Company will draw its supply from some 3000 cows this season and 85 and 56 herds will' supply the Pukekura and Karapiro factories respectively. Prospects for Pig Breeders.

That Cambridge dairy farmers are •fully alive to .the. fact that , pigs are profitable is shown by the keiflrt, demand at recent sales, together with the greater interest being shown in breeding. The Cambridge Dairy Company is co-operating with other companies with a view to establishing co-operative marketing associations. District farmers hope that the breeding of pigs and exporting of pork will be more than a Sideline during tne next few years. Cambridge dairy farmers have .lelfc behind them a record year for production, in which they received the high P«ces ox Is 5Ad. per lb. for butter and Is B|d for cheese., Under reasonbly . favourable climatic conditions it is certain production will be maintained and with satisfactory marketing conditions prevailing the season should result in further pio~ gress and prosperity for the district. Outlook at Te Kuiti.

The Te Kuiti correspondent states that,, although the good winter has done much, the most powerful factor in the improved condition of the farming industry in the district has been the wider adoption of more scientific methods of fanning, particularly top-dressing. The use of artificial manure lias increased rapidly during the past few years and the .resuits obtained have been most impressive. *or instance, 180 cows were wintered on -5W acres of top-drussed pasture on Messrs. Homerville's farm, on the outskirts of To Kuiti. The eSect of examples of this kind has been that farmers all over the district have followed suit. This winter applications of 80 to 100 tons by individual farmers have been common, while threeiiguro consignments have been brought in for many of the larger holdings.

Improvement in Herds. One of the most significant features is that in certain areas, although some of tho factory suppliers have changed from dairying to sheep, the dairy output is increasing. More butter-fat ia being produced from fewer cows, as a result of the improvement of herds by testing and tho pastures by top-dressing. After an exceptionally mild winter the prospects for the coming farming season give every cause for optimism. Dairy herds aro coming to profit in excellent condition. It is not too much to predict that unless something unforeseen occurs the closo of the coming season will place the majority of farmers definitely on the road to permanent prosperity. Stock everywhere have wintered extraordinarily well Farmers of long experience state they cannot remember ever having seen so much feed in evidence. In addition the root crops havo been excellent. Optimism ol Farmers. A typical instance of the feeling of optimism is the statement of Mr. F. _P. Walker, manager of the Piopio Dairy Company. that he expects the coming season's output will show an increase of 60 torn over that of last season, which was 316 tons. Reports in a similar strain come from Aria and other districts. An -examination of official figures and the latest dairy factory returns reveals the magnitude which tho primary industries of the Te Kuiti district are attaining. The output from approixmatoly 15,G00 dairy cows in the dastrict was 1366 tons of butter and 50 toes of cheese, valued at £229,305. •. •'4 V'