THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3101, 20 August 1913, Page 19

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

ACTIVITIES IN THE NORTH

FARMERS’ DAIRY UNION BUSINESS. (From Odr Own Correspondent.)

WANGANUI, August 14

Dairying in tho North Island is going ahead " with leaps and bounds. Right through the Waikato. King Country, Taranaki, Wanganui, Fcilcling. Manawaf'u, and Wairarapa districts there has been considerable augmentation of old. as well as tho establishment of new herds, and, given a good season, the output of dairy produce should show a very substantial increase this season. Several now factories arc going up in the Wanganui and South Taranaki districts, and.it is significant that provision is being made for the manufacture of both cheese and butter, so that shareholders might be able to reap tho benefit of the best market.

Tho New Zealand Dairy Union, the biggest concern of its kind in the Manawatu district, has concluded its twentieth season, and tho last has undoubtedly been the best. The total value of the turnover fos the season was £82,436 3s sd, tho butter manufactured totalling 443 tons 4owt, and cheese 333 tons lewt. Tho price paid to suppliers for butter-making for tho whole season was 11.4 d to those supplying creameries, and 11.83 d to those sending cream direct, while cheese suppliers received a fraction over Is. The whole of the butter and cheese shipped was sold on • >p<- a -i: .. nment. as no firm offering*f.o.b. could bo obtained. The company is now rur.omg four cheese factories separate from ii- iber business. The butter and cheese industry has natur-

ally affected the white pine timber industry to an enormous extent, and thousands of boxes and crates are required to meet the demand. The far-reaching effects of dairying are unquestionably groat, and without a doubt the industry is doing a very great deal in assisting Parliament in bringing about closer settlement. Big estates are constantly being offered to the public in subdivisions suitable for dairying, and oil round large pastoral runs are being diverted to now uses.

The manufacture of casein is likewise increasing, though a couple of companies in Taranaki are holding back for a time before embarking on the proposition. There is still a diversity of opinion as to whether casein whey is injurious to young stock.