THE DAIRYING INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19502, 4 December 1926, Page 10

THE DAIRYING INDUSTRY.

Returns published this week have shown that the dairying production of the Auckland Province, for the first five months of the season, has eclipsed all previous records, the outputs of both butter and cheese having increased to the total extent, in butter-fat, of 14 per cent, over last year's figures. The decline in values has to be s.et against this expansion of volume, and some calculations of the two. factors in- respect of butter alone are presented in an article; published ' to-day. The faluations are necessarily only broad estimates, but they are sufficiently conservative to justify the general conclusion that ; the proI vincial dairying industry as a whole has produced almost the same value of butter as it did during the corresponding period of last year. To the individual farmer, and even to the whole community of dairy farmers, the result may not be equally satisfactory! Expenditure on the improvement of herds and pastures has contributed to the great increase in volume of production, and in that respect the investment has not produced the anticipated profitis. Another large factor has been the remarkably favourable weather conditions; they have cost the farmers nothing, and so much of the additional butter-fat that is due to the natural enrichment of the pastures is clear profit The pessimist and the cynic might be inclined to count the aggregate loss through tho decline in values. That is a hopeless point of view ; as well* make calculations of what might have happened if Britain had not suffered seven months of disorganisation through the idleness of her coal industry. It is more reason able to regard the increase in production as an insurance against the incalculable adversities of fortune, the greatest of which for the Auckland dairy farme:r are the fluctuations of markets. Long Before there was warning of the devastating coal strike or of other disturbing influences, the primsiry producers were, advised to heed the indications that values were tending to lower levels, and to safeguard themselves by using every practicable means to expand the output of their farms. On present appearances, the industry has had to pay a heavy premium to insure the stability of its income, but if its members have the courage to foirget what might have been, they will, find stimulating satisfaction in contemplating what has been achieved. The great growth of production is, moreover, a salutary corrective* of the pessimis tic repinings over the state of rural industry. If the dairy farmers of a single province, by intelligent methods and valiant efforts, can make so much progress in a single season, there is surely good reason for believing that there is still vigorous life in the land and in those who labour upon it. .