GRADING OF CREAM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22584, 24 November 1936, Page 13

GRADING OF CREAM

Sir, —That the present system of cream grading has outlived its useful* ness is becoming increasingly evident. "Ex-cream Grader's" remarks are interesting, though not convincing, lie may be able to allot each of 'JO cans a grade, and regrade them blindfolded, lmt the result is only accurate in so far as his own opinion goes. A second grader may allot those same cans very different ' grades, and also claim nccuracv, while a third grader might say both are wrong. The producer has no quarrel with the grader, but with the system. Would any body of producers be prepared to accept as accurate the opinion of a member ol the factory staff as to the fat content of milk or*cream based oil, say, colour, thickness and appearance? We have the protection of a method by which the fat content is computed scientifically and accurately, and if a producer is not satisfied with the result, ho may have a sample taken in his presence, sealed, and forwarded to a Government laboratory for testing. The present grading system provides no such check on the grader. It is simply a case of "that is your grade, like it or lump it. If the grader is wrong he loses nothing. It is my invariable practice to separate both night's and morning's cream into one can, each skimming being water cooled. Lately the can has been too full to permit the covers being placed in position and a second can has been used. Before leaving the shed the can of cream is thoroughly stirred, and roughly one-third poured into the snriller can The condition of the cans is good, though slightly in favour of the larger can. The smaller can grades superfine, and the larger one, out of which the smaller quantity came, grades first. "Ex-Cream Grader" says the farmer is never satisfied, but has ho not just cause for dissatisfaction with a system which permits such inconsistencies? It should not be impossible to devise some scientific means of grading, and thus eliminate the erratic human element. Under such a system the grader would disappear, and tlio necessity for the ever-increasing army of inspectors would also disappear. The farmer who did his job right would be paid accordingly, and the careless farmer penalised. To-day the reverse is frequently the case. Farmer Bill,: