THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3196, 16 June 1915, Page 18

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

EXPANSION OF CHEESE OUTPUT. The report and balance sheet of the National Dairy Association (Ltd.) to bo presented at the annual general meeting of members, to be hold at the Palmerston North Winter Show, gives an interesting review of the dairy industry during the past season, prepared by the secretary of the association, Mr J. H. Harkness. According to the balance sheet the association's funds show a credit of £3282 18s Bd, an increase of £575 3s Id. Dealing with the industry the report states that during the year 28 applications for registration of new factories had been made. Of these two were for butter factories and 26 for cheese factories (16 in Otago and Southland). The spring opened full of promise, but the drought seriously curtailed tho milk supply, notably in Wairarapa, Hawke’s Bay, Waikato, and Auckland; nevertheless, the results show an increased export to the United Kingdom of 13.31 per cent, of butter, but chcase showed a decrease of 4.90 per cent, compared with last season. The declaration of war had a depressing effect on tho industry for a time, but subsequent high prices compensated for this. The requisitioning of insulated steamers for transport purposes inconvenienced exporters. It was fortunate, however, that “a contract was in existence by which dairy produce has been carried up to the present without any additional freight charge. . . . The outlook on. the latter date (end of March) was anything but satisfactory, and your executive have been unremitting in their endeavours in urging the Government, and also the shipping companies, to make all necessary provision for tho carriage of dairy produce. . . . Under the circumstances the executive desire to express their appreciation of the consideration and assistance received from members and shippers under exceptional and trying circumstances. “The nst results of the high prices obtained for butter and cheese are somewhat minimised by a corresponding increase in charges. "Consignments will show good returns to shippers, and those factories that have adhered to this policy will have no reason to complain.” The season now closed shows a contraction of trade between New Zealand and the western ports of North America London proved a. far better market than Vancouver. Heavy decreases in exports to San Franc'sco and to South African ports are noted. With regard to the “boom” in che»e« in London, it is stated that the War Office takes from 600 to 700 tons weekly for the troops. The War Office might. it v thought, also take up a butter ration, which would create a new demand. “Now, as to tho future” (tihe report concludes), “it is probable that conditions on the Continent will not become normal before factories will be considering the disposal of outputs in 191516. In any forecast of the future the above factors should be borne in mind, and there is this further consideration: that while the army keeps using' cheese there is bound to bo an abnormal level of prices, and it will be months after peace is declared before tho

army is disbanded or materially reduced in numbers.”

Exports of butter and cheese 'Tor the year ended March 31 show the following increases in value:

Since the report was compiled cheese has rcae.ied 100 s per cwt., a. phenomenal price, and butter is at a very high level.

NEW PLYMOUTH SHOW. NEW PLYMOUTH, June 10. .The agricultural winter show was opened by the Prime Minister to-day. The exhibits are of a very high standard. In butter the Awahuri factory was the most successful, winning four’ sections. To Aroha obtained the points prize in cheese, Cardiff won three sections, and Taieri and Penimla, Kaupoiconui, and Tariki one each. ihe poultry attracted good competition. In bantams the North Island championships resulted as follows:—Buff, Mr E. James (New Plymouth); black-red, Mrs G. Johnson (Palmerston North); any other variety, Mr James. \ORICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS. A runholdor informed a Daily Times representative on the lith inst. that, although droughts’ had been reported in the north and varying weather conditions in different parts of Otago, the upoountry from Outrara had enjoyed ideal weather for over two months. Typical sunny days, interspersed with beneficial rain showers, had given the rough sheep land in his district a most luxurious appearance. The consequence was that stock was thriving, and would be well able to withstand the rigours' of any wintry changes that must be expected. He thought that the outlook for the farmer in Otago this season was most advantageous. Another visitor declared that the Lakes district so far had the mildest winter weather ever experienced there.

Mr John M‘Queen, managing director of the Southland Frozen Meat Company, was spoken to on Wednesday by a Southland Times reporter as to the probable effect the reported discontinuance of the exportation of frozen meit from Australia would have on shipping space for frozen moat from the dominion. Mr M‘Queen said that undoubtedly it should have a good effect, if Australia had been exporting any considerable quantity of moat. It certainly should have the tendency of providing more space for the export of New Zealand meat. He mentioned that a short while ago-vessels which usually traded from New Zealand had been diverted to Australia, which had aggravated the shortage of tonnage from the dominion. During the month of April the following animals were exported from the Dominion (circus animals returning to Australia being omitted): —To Australia: Eight horses, ICO sheep, 8 dogs. To Pacific Islands: Four horses, 28 cattle, 233 sheep, 57 pigs, 5 dogs. The following stock was received into quarantine in the Dominion during April: Seven thoroughbreds, 2 Jersey heifers, 4 Roscommon rams, 5 dogs. About 15,000 sheep are snowed in along the Muniong Range from Kiandra to Kosciusko (says the Sydney Town and Country Journal). By using four teams of bullocks to go ahead breaking a track through the snow, which is about a foot deep, 8000 were got out in one day, and 3500 in another mob were also released. About Happy Jack Mountain owners are experimenting with boabshaped slides hauled by bullocks to try to open a track for sheep to follow. That there has been a big advance in wool, and that record prices have been made in practically all classes is generally known, but few people (remarks the Taranaki Herald) are able to realise what this advance means to us in New Zealand. The monthly abstract of statistics for May gives some figures that are worth recording. Tho exports of wool for tho four months, January 1 to April 30, compared with the figures for the corresponding period of last year, show: —Four months 1915, 383,735 bales, of a value of £6,598,184; four months, 1914, 393,734 bales, worth £5,746.313. Thus it will be seen that for the four months of this year 9999 bales lose were exported, yet the aggregate return is £851,871 more. The average value of the bale exported during the period named last year was £l4 12s, and this year it works out at £l7 4s. Export apples were shipped from Motueka during last week; there were 7723 cases in all. The fruit is for transhipment at Wellington to the steamer Turakina for Buenos Aires to Montevideo, and Rio do Janeiro. Two more shipments will bo sent this month. In connection with the provision of cool stores forward steps have been taken. The Government is willing to advance four-fifths of a capital of £IO.OOO, and this would construct a store capable of holding 25 000 cases of fruit. At a meeting of interested growers it was decided that advantage be taken of the offer, and erect stores in the vicinity of the new wharf. The fruit-growers in Nelson realise that no large . growers should monopob’se all the available space, and will see to it that the in tercets of small growers are safeguarded. A Home correspondent writes: “I daresay tile following remarkable case of longevity of a cow would interest vour readers. I have a cow that has given bu-th to her fuyt'-'cnth calf. She always carried her calf, and had twins once, and never had an ailment. She is now 16 years old. gives six gallons of milk daily, and looks remarkably well”

'T'hroucrh eating th" belladonna, or doaflly nightshade nlant, about ICO fat _ wethers, t'-imked at Broken TTill for Adelaide, have d-d.

It is eonsiderod probable that the New South Wal-a Government will import supples of fodder from America. Tr> the latest AfiT'eu'tiiral Bull “tin issued, bv the International Instituteof Aorrioultnr© it is stated that “not.eworthv efforts are now being made in Snain to ut,i I ke the railW "vs as means of prornotmer agrienlture. The Pinria rad wav has provided most of its ra’lwav stations with small but practical agricultural museums, wbiob ofiVvd farmers, at all tames, a good and rn.nid surv"v of all tbe most imnort.n.nt teohnleal novelties, besides which all kinds of information are given on manures, on the most suitable and

economic agricultural machines, on live stock, etc. Further railway management transmits to the Government the desirata of farmers in the matter of assistance for agricultural undertakings of general utility. Word has been received that Mr Andrew Dunlop, general manager of the Hawera Dairy Company, has gained world’s championship honours in his profesesion by being awarded the red ticket for his entry of cheese at the Royal Dairy Show, England.

Turnip seed prospects are not looking too well at the present time. Messrs P. Lawson and Sons’ circular just issued says:— “We regret having to report extensive failures of the growing crops of swedes and turnips; prices have materially advanced in consequence, as stocks in warehouse are very low as it is, and the shortage for next season is likely to be serious.” Oaten sheaf chaff is reported to be selling at as high as £lO 10s in Hawke’s Bay. The directors of the Orou.a Freezing Works have accepted the tender of Mr J. J M‘Millan (Auckland! for the erection of the buildings for the works. The price was £24,237.

The Ruapehu, which left Wellington on Friday morning for London, took 14,216 crates of cheese from New Zealand' (says the New Zealand Times). The cheese was shipped as follows: —l49 crates from New Plymouth, 6700 from Patca, 4385 from Wellington, and 2982 from Dunedin. The Prime Minister (who is also Minister of Agriculture) remarked, in the course of an interview on Saturday that a very,large number of dairy factories all over New Zealand were installing cheese-making machinery, with the object, of producing cheese ■instead of butter (says the Wellington Post). It was pretty evident, therefore, that there would be a big falling off in the manufacture of butter and a corresponding production of cheese. “It is, of course, only the result of the high price of cheese,” remarked Mr Massey. Considering the absence of snow on the hills and the dryness of the ground, the severe and continued frosts are remarkable (says the Waimate Advertiser). If the ground had been wetter, more good would have been done in the way of pulverisation of the soil. On Saturday 8 degrees were recorded, and on Sunday and Monday 5 degrees. A supplier to the Riverbank Cheese Factory (situated between Pahiatua and Woodville) informed me Pahiatua correspondent of the Dominion that the total price paid for the past season’s butter-fat would be about Is 7d per lb. A bonus of 2d per lb of butter-fat was paid out this week to suppliers to this factory, and also the WoodvilF Chcrs" Factory

Messrs Murray, Roberts, and Co., Wellington, shipped per the Moana (says the Dominion), on account of Mr Ernest Short, of Feilding, a valuable consignment of Romney Marsh sheep, consisting of a ram by Mr Short’s well-known champion and 15 live lambs.

A large number of Romney sheep from registered New Zealand flocks has been exported to the United States, Argentine, Chili, Uruguay, and Australia. A much larger number would have been shipped to America but for the outbreak of the war. A 20-ton stack of oats was destroyed by fire last week on Mr M. P. Egan’s farm at Wairio (says the Otautau Standard), the conflagration being set going by a spark from Messrs Kennedy Bros.’ traction engine, which had just pulled into Mr Egan’s to commence thrashing. The stack was almost totally destroyed, not 20 sheaves being Saved. The success of the Farmers’ . Union movement in Now Zealand, and, more especially, in the Auckland province, has evidently attracted the attention of farmers in New South Wales (says the Auckland .Star). A letter has been received from the Oakwood branch of the Farmers and Settlers’ Association asking tho provincial executive of the union to supply information as to methods of organisation. It is proposed to start tho union movement over there. Tho desired information is about to bo despatched. The dry weather is helping farmers to the Fairlio correspondent of the Timaru Herald). There is a largo number of lambs ready to go to the works, but graziers are beginning to realise that loss of condition is almost sure to ’•'’suit before freez'ng space is available. This is in spite of tho fact that the winter feed for the owes has been heavily dra.vn upon, and is still being used. A Ma.rtinborough exchange states that dairy farmers generally are complaining of the shortage of feed for the winter months, and as high as two shillings and ninopence per head per week is being offered for grazing. . A farmer from Hawke’s Bay was in Taumarunui recently on his way to tho Ohura in search of land. He was looking for a farm of about 900 acres. He complains bitterly of tho want of feed in tho Hawke’s Bay district, and has himself over 100 head of cattle, which he must either find grass lor or sell them for their hides. His son counted 26 cattle on the roadside

during alO mile ride. He advises men. with sons, whom they wish to settle on the land, to leave the old districts of highpriced farms and go for cheaper land and bigger areas in the King Country. The Canterbury A. and P. Association has decided to approach the Department of Agriculture with a request that the Government exhibit at the Dunedin Winter Show should be taken to Christchurch and shown there under the auspices of the association, the proceeds to go to the patriotic funds.

Blitter. Cheese. £ £ 1895 .. ... 160,383 1909 .. 693,701 208.258 1905 .. 1.514,156 180.874 1914 .. .. 2,195,273 2,387,828 1915 .. ..