RECORD DAIRY YIELD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19474, 2 November 1926, Page 10

RECORD DAIRY YIELD.

FIGURES FOR FOUR MONTHS.

PREVIOUS YEARS SURPASSED. BOTH BUTTER AND CHEESE. GREAT GROWTH OF PASTURES. A record in production has marked the first four months of the current dairying season in the Auckland province. Butter received into the grading stores of the .Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company djring that period totalled 392,830 boxes, compared with 347,855 boxes and 390,420 boxes in the corresponding periods of the 1925-26 and 1924-25 seasons respectively. The previous record vras established in the 1924-25 season, but this season's output for the four months already exceeds that of two years ago by 2410 boxes. This result is the more striking as the production for the first two months of this season, July and August, fell below that in the first two months of the 1924-25 season. September and October have, however, proved remarkably fruitful months and the result has been to more than make up the leeway. By comparison with butter, cheese is almost a sideline in the province, but in this department also the figures show a considerable growth. For the first fout months the cheese received totalled 30,003 crates against 28,762 crates a year ago and 23,195 crates in the 1924-25 season. Impressive Figures. When the figures for butter and cheeso are reduced to their butter-fat equivalent, the output this season reaches the magnificent total of 20,263,1901b. against 18,074,905 in last year's period, an increase of 2,188,2851b. or slightly over 12 per cent. Compared with the previous record season two years ago, when 19,741,4401b. was produced in the first four months, the increase is 521,7501b. or over 2i per cent. Weather conditions especially favourable to pastoralists must be sot down as tho chief contributing factor in the great growth of the dairying yield this season. There has been an abundance of warm rain to stimulate the growth of the pastures. A little more fine weather to harden the grasses and give them moro substance would have been welcomed. Nevertheless, farmers are finding it difficult to quarrel with the results in pounds avoirdupois even although those in pounds sterling are not so good owing to the depression of the markets overseas, Topdressing and herd testing and culling have also played their part in swelling the output and the latter improvement in the pastoral system is one from which tho results should be cumulative. A Favourable Outlook. The outlook so far as production is concerned continues bright for the dairyfarmer. • In all parts of tho province lie is commencing November with an abundance of feed for his cattle and is able to shut up a sufficient area for hay to provide extra rations for the winter months. November and December are the flush months of the season and the prospects at present are that tho season will continue to set now standards in production. The following table shows th« monthly receipts of butter at the grading stores during the first four months, of the cur rent season, compared with tho corresponding period in the 1925-26 season:— 1326-27 1925-26 Increase Boxes, Boxes. Bases. July . . .. 9,853 9,706 147 August . . .. 48,497 43,466 5,031 September . . 125.3&? 111,226 ' 34,157 October .. .. 209,097 183,457 25,640

Totals . 392,830 347,855 44,075