THE DAIRYING INDUSTRY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19980, 23 December 1926, Page 6

THE DAIRYING INDUSTRY.

Some unusual circumstances and conditions combined to make 1926 an anxious time for dairy farmers. Neither production nor markets were very satisfactory and until late in the dairy year it was difficult to say how the season would conclude. The reasons for tho conditions obtaining in the early months of the past year can be found in the closing stages of 1925, when a dry summer left dairymen very short of feed in the autumn. However, a mild winter saved the situation temporarily. The acute shortage of feed in the autumn months left the cows in poor condition and unfit foi a hard winter. The prices of dairy produce for the 1925-26 season were seriously affected by the shipping strike in New Zealand, which coincided with the opening of the season. A sharp infation in values at Home was followed at the conclusion of the strike by a heavy fall in prices Unfavourable weather conditions and industrial unrest greatly affected tho industry, and it was feared that a record bad year would be experienced. A late recovery in the back end of the season, however, compensated for the heavy decrease in production to some extent, but the close of the season came with a 7 per cent, reduction in returns. The 1926-27 season opened none too favourably. Unseasonable weather continued throughout the spring and well into summer, and only the mild winter that had preceded saved the industry from a disastrous start. Industrial unrest at Home and the general dislocation of work there caused a reduction in prices, consequent on tho decrease in the purchasing power of the people. Prices fell during the past 12 months to a lower level than had been the case since pre-war days. Prospects for a satisfactory year were not good for a long time, but present indications point to a considerable improvement in the near future. The tendency'of the London markets to-day is upwards and better returns can be expected by dairymen. The close of the year finds the cows in Otago in good condition and milking well. Feed is plentiful in most parts and factories generally report good : intakes and production.