THE DAIRY YIELD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20172, 5 February 1929, Page 8

THE DAIRY YIELD.

The record of dairy produce output for the current season, now available to the end of January, is at a very interesting stage for the purposes of comparison. So far the production, in terms of butter-fat, is more than 12 per cent, greater than for the equivalent period—the first seven months of the dairying year—in 1927 28. A glance at the tabulated figures published shows that month by month the achievements of the previous season have been outstripped. In October, 1928, the return was 1,500,0001b. of butter-fat better than in October, 1927. September and November, though not outstanding to the same degree, also showed impressive increases. For December the lead was substantially reduced. January saw the leeway made up again decisively. The figures were: January, 1929, 1G,625,0001b. ; January, 1928, 12,818,0001b. The reason is, of course, perfectly simple. The summer of 1927-28 was remarkable for a severe, prolonged dry spell that checked abruptly the upward course of butter-fat production. The late spring and early summer failed to produce the rains which aro needed to keep the pastures in reasonably good heart during the normal period of maximum heat and dryness. Consequently there was the falling off already noted in January, followed by a similar adverse movement in February and March. An excellent autumn recovery allowed the year to close with the comparatively insignificant decrease of 1.062 percent, compared with 1920-27. This year the needed rains have fallen. The January output is smaller than that for December, but this is merely the usual descent from the normal peak period. It is, as stated before, impressively greater than that of January, 1928. The position should now be sufficiently assured to guarantee a summer and autumn yield making 1928-29 a dairying year far excelling any since figures were first officially recorded. This, combined with a very favourable market outlook, should bring the dairy farmer a gratifying return for his year's labours.