DAIRY OUTPUT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23175, 22 October 1938, Page 15

DAIRY OUTPUT

THE SEASON TO DATE DECREASE IN THE NORTH ESTIMATE OF 10 PER CENT [ny TEIjEGRAPH—own correspondent! WIIANGAREI, Friday The buttor production of Northland this season is expected to hp at least JO per eent less than that of last season, notwithstanding that last season showed a, decline over the figure reached in the 1935-36 season. A number of small dairy farmers have ceased to supply the factories, as it is considered that it does not pay to milk :i small herd and that it is more profitable for tlio small farmer to accept work with the Public Works Department on road construction. Another factor is that owing to the difliculty of securing competent farm labour a number of dairy farmers who previously were milking large herds havo reduced the number of cows. This decrease of production will take place even if a good season is experienced is the opinion expressed, and if an adverse season is met then the decline will bo much more marked.

FRANKLIN PAY-OUT DOWN THE NEED FOR RAIN [FROM OtTR OWN CORRESPONDENT] TUAKATJ. Friday The adverse conditions this spring are seriously affecting dairy production in tho Franklin district. This is revealed by the Franklin Co-operative Dairy Company's pay-out yesterday, when compared with tho corresponding pay-out last year. The company has more suppliers this season than last, but yesterday, at tho rate of Is 2Jd per lb. for finest grade, it distributed £17,350 to its suppliers for the butter-fat it received during September, as against £18,542 on October 20 last year, at tho rate of Is Id per lb. Tho figures represent a drop in production of about 14$ per cent.

Although tho country is still verdantly green, there has not been the abundance of warm rain which usually comes at this time of the year and promotes rapid growth in tho pastures. Consequently the feed is being kept grazed hard down on many farms, and a good soaking rain would be very welcome to givo that extra growth that is necessary for flush production and to give a surplus for harvesting as ensilage or hay.