DAIRY RESEARCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 3886, 4 September 1928, Page 19

DAIRY RESEARCH.

VALUE OF DIFFERENT BREEDS. HAWERA, August 31. In presenting the annual report of the Hawera Dairy Laboratory to the Taranaki Dairy Federation to-day, Mr !’• O. Veale, research chemist, who- conducted the recent tests into the values of high and low test milk for cheesemaking, made the following comment:— Since the publication of the report in the newspapers much controversy has raged, very largely, I am afraid, upon points not in the least relevant to the aim and scope of the report. I would like to remind»partisans of the various breeds who have expressed their opinions through the press that this research was entitled, “The Relative Values of High and Low-testing Milk for Cheesemaking in New Zealand,” and that although different breeds of cattle were necessary in order to secure differences in the test the investigation was not designed as a. battle of the breeds.” It is a great pity that the findings have been so hastily used to promote petty squabbles between fanciers of the different breeds of dairy cattle. The issue is too large and too important for such a procedure. Referring to the controversy regarding the suggestion that a system of standardisation of milk might be used to combat losses to dairymen through an unnecessarily high standard in the fat content of New Zealand cheese. Mr Veale gives a warning against the danger of the system of skimming milk owing to the popular prejudice against cheese made from anything other than whole milk. He concludes: “We may take it that the danger to the good name of our produce caused by the popular prejudice against the use of skim milk, even in very limited quantities in conjunction with a very rich milk, is a real danger likely to do our industry infinite harm, although I believe that with proper scientific control over the application of process and over the final composition of the product there is not the slightest foundation in fact for the prejudice, whether on score of flavour, or body, or texture, or food value.” .

NOXIOUS WEEDS.

FULL PRECAUTIONS TAKEN. NELSON, August 31. Liberation of the cinnabar moth for the control of ragwort will not be made this spring by the Cawtliron Institute. The reason is that in reply to inquiries made by Dr Miller information has been received showing that the caterpillar of the moth has been known to attack and defoliate potatoes in England and Guernsey. Before a final decision is reached regarding the liberation of the month further extensive and detailedtests with potatoes and other plants will be first undertaken.