GRADING OF CREAM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19257, 22 August 1924, Page 4

GRADING OF CREAM.

IMPROVEMENT IN DAIRY PRODUCE DESIRED. Twenty-four dairy factories in the South Island have agreed as from September 1 to accept cream from suppliers only, upon the condition that all factories shall grade the cream as received at the factory into two grades, as follows; First Grade.—All sweet or sour cream of clean flavour upon arrival at the factory. Hecond Grade.- All cream which, upon arrival at the factory, is not suitable for the manufacture of first-grade butter if churned separately. Any cream upon arrival at the factory which, in the opinion of the factory manager, is unfit for human consumption will be rejected as unsuitable for manufacture of butter and destroyed and not paid for. Tho Co-operative Dairy ' Company of Otago has issued the following circular in connection with the matter:-

A study of the butter production figures of the world show a big increase from all producing countries. This must mean lower prices and keener competition in the world’s markets.

So far as frozen butters are concerned, (ho New Zealand article holds an enviable reputation on the London market; but if we are to held our own against the everincreasing competition from other countries we must lose no opportunity not only to maintain our quality, but to improve it. At tho South Island annual conference of factory representatives, held in Dunedin in June last, Mr Singleton. Director of. tho Dairy Division of the New Zealand Department of Agriculture, read some reports ho ha-d received from overseas which convinced delegates there was urgent need for some improvement in our industry. We have a big obstacle to overcome in the prejudice in favour of Danish, Irish, and other fresh butters, and cannot afford to hav-e reports of such a, nature being rondo about our produce. Tho defects complained of are due »o (he factories receiving too big a proportion of low-grade cream containing a high percentage of acidity. The class of cream compels factories to use larger quantities of neutraliser than is desirable, and to pasteurise at high temperatures in the endeavour to overcome bad flavours. To remedy the cause, we must get back to the source of production, which is on the farm where the cream is produced. The improvement in tho quality of cream supplied to the factories has been engaging the attention of the Dairy Division and Ibe factory managers for some years. In the opinion of those qualified to judge, no progress whatever can b« made in this direction until the factories offer some inducement to Ihe dairy farmer to supply the best article possible. After full discussion, (he conference unanimously decided that the only practical method of accomplishing this object was to adopt the principle of cream grading and payment to suppliers according to test and grade of cream received.

Cream grading has been in operation in the North Island for some time, and, according to grading figures supplied by the Dairy Division, a very pronounced improvement in the grade of butter manufactured by the factories carrying out cream grading has resulted.

Grading of cream has been discussed in various districts in tho Soulh Island on many occasions, but its adoption would not hove had such beneficial results to the industry _ unless it was made universal by all factories throughout the island, and those who were responsible for calling (he special meeting of the South Island dairy factories in Dunedin in June, are to bo congratulated bv everyone concerned in the industry, as cream grading will be, an accomplished fact throughout tho South Island this sea?,on.

The conference, representing the whole of Ihe South Island, unanimously decided to adopt regulations governing the grading of cream and payment to suppliers according to lest and grade of cream supplied, and to put them into operation flu's coming season.

The Dairy Departmont has promised to make available a competent officer to advise factories, -and to assist dairy farmers in establishment, of a uniform grade by visiting the factories and seeing (hat the work of grading is properly and'fairly done.

New Zealand has been aptly termed “The Empire Dairy Farm” on account of possessing the climate and country so ideally suited for dairying, and with (he jimper grading of our raw material as well as Iho grading of our manufactured article, wo should he able to produce (ho beat butter in the world.