DAIRY PRODUCTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23104, 1 August 1938, Page 7

DAIRY PRODUCTION

KAITAIA RESULTS INCREASE IN OUTPUT FURTHER PAYMENT OF 2.5 D An increase in output of 118 tons to 2125 tons, or 5.88 per cent, is shown in the annual report of the directors of tho Kaitaia Co-operative Dairy Company, Limited, for the year ended June 30. Production during the year was variable as a result of abnormal climatic conditions and low rainfall during the late summer months. The number of suppliers dropped from 649 to The balance available for distribution is £41,694, which tlie directors propose be allocated as follows: Dividend at 3 per cent per annum on paidup capital, £673; further payment at 2.50 d per lb., £40,706; transfer to trading reserve, £150; carry forward; £165. Advance payments for the season average 12.239 d over all grades, and with Lhe amount available for distribution, inclusive of dividend on shares, will return for all grades an average of 14.780 d per lb. of butter-fat. Cream collection cost .424 d per lb. butter-fat, making the average return, over all grades at the farm gate, 15.204 d per lb. riales of fertilisers and lime for the year amounted to £14,666 and the commissions earned amounted to £484. This amount has been carried forward as a credit in the fertilise* account. The credit balance in this account_ now stands at £1989. The net profit in the trading department, after the payment of rebates to members at the rat© of 5 per cent on sales, and amounting to £745, is shown at £263. Butter gradings for the season were as follows, figures for the previous season being given in parentheses: —Finest, 90.43 per cent 31); first, 8.64 per cent (4.49); second, .93 per cent (1.2). Cream grading percentages compared as follows: —Finest, 61.42 per cent (73.57); first, 34.39 per cent (23.45); second, 4.19 per cent (2.98). The average grade of butter was 93.875.

MEETING AT RODNEY GUARANTEED PRICE LEVEL "It is to be hoped that when the guaranteed price is announced it will give more satisfaction to farmers than has been experienced in the past," said Mr. E. Barker, a director of the Rodney Co-operative Dairy Company, Limited, who presided at the annual meeting of suppliers last week in the absence of T,lie chairman. Mr. A. W. Wylie. "The increased payment of .41d per lb. will bo equivalent to nearly an extra id per lb. on butter-fat," stated the report of the chairman. "This will bring the average payment over all grades at the farm gate to 15.144 d per lb. It is intended to make a further deferred payment of 1.34 d per lb. on August 20. "It had been hoped with the extra supply during the season we would have been able to show a very much greater reduction in the working costs, but the increase in costs of fuel, boxes and other materials, higher wages with shorter hours, and the absence of the usual seasonal flush period prevented us achieving the desired result," continued the report. "The exceptional hot. summer and heavy autumn floods not only had a detrimental effect on production, but were responsible for a big increase in the cost of manufacture. For the third year in succession the company won the Weddel Cup with a record average grade of 94.687 points. "Figures show that 98.4 per cent of the butter exported graded finest and over, and 21,070 boxes received the premium of 7d a box and realised £Bl5 extra," concluded the report. A total of 2254 boxes received the basic guaranteed price, and the deductions for 270 boxes amounted only to £3 16s Bd. With the premium received for high grade butter sold on tha local market, the total premium received is £730. The guaranteed price has been 13.25 d per lb., while the average price received has been 13.37 d per Id.

RAGLAN COMPANY'S COSTS COMPARISON OF FIGURES [from our OWN correspondent] RAGLAN, Saturday In a previous published summary of the annual report of the Raglan Cooperative Dairy Company, Limited, the full amount of the costs was inadvertently shown as the increase. The correct position is that total costs at 2.140 d per lb. butter-fat showed an increase of .1114 d over the previous gear's figure of 2.0286 d. Wages accounted for ,392 d, against .314 d. The total average butter-fat payment, irrespective of grade, is 14.5208 d per lb., clear of ail cartage costs. On the basis of finest quality butter-fat, delivered at the factory, the total will be 15,167 d. A deferred payment, of 1 15-16 d per lb. on all butter-fat received during the season will be made on August 8. " "f Owing to a change-over to sheep farming, a dry autumn and, to a certain extent, facial eczema trouble, output decreased by 55 tons to 623 tons. Quality, however, was well maintained, the average grade for the export season being 93.773. PAYMENT AT SUAWAI SEASON'S TOTAL OF 14.85 D [prom our own correspondent] DARGAYILLE, Saturday Referring to a statement regarding losses from facial eczema among stock made at tho annual meeting of the Ruawai Co-operative Dairy Company, Limited, recently, the chairman, Mr. J. Irwin, said he wished to make it clear that no losses had been suffered in the Ruawai district. The opinion in that district was that, because of the heavy damage in the Waikato, the question should be takon up with the Government.

The total payment for the season would amount to 14.85 d per lb. butterfat, including the Government bonus. The bonus would be paid out on August 20. For tho three vacancies on the directorate of the company six nominations have been received. A postal ballot will be conducted, closing on August 27. The following have been nominated: —Messrs. T. E. Donovan, R. Liggett, P. MacG. Stewart. T. Wallace, E. D. W. Wright, A. Vallely. The sitting members are Messrs. Stewart, Wallace and Wright,

OUTLOOK FOR BUTTER LITTLE INTEREST SHOWN LONDON, July 29 Butter at, present is idle and little interest is expected until after the holidays. LOWER EGG PRICES DROP OF 2D A DOZEN The Auckland Egg Marketing Committee announces that wholesale egg prices have been reduced by 2d a dozen. Current rates are: —Hen: Ist grade. Is BSd a dozen; B. Is 7£d. Duck: Ist grade, Is BJd; B, Is 7Jd. Country storekeepers' minimum buying prices tor first grade eggs are:—Hen: Is 04a a dozen. Duck* Is S£d.