THE DAIRY SEASON.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LI, Issue 16719, 2 May 1925, Page 8

THE DAIRY SEASON.

DRY SPELL AFFECTS RETURNS. DECREASED’ OUTPUT FOR, APRIL. The continued' spell of line weather lias had a serious effect upon the dairy returns of the district for the month which has just passed, and the quantity of butter made locally was 50 per cent, less than during the month of March. The dry weather has affected the fiats, and farmers there have found it necessary to make use of hay and green maize to assist in keeping up the milk production. Up till the end of March the season had proved a record, and it was anticipated that the Kia Ora factory would make 100 tons more butter than last year. The returns for last mortth were much below those of flic corresponding month of last year, and if similar conditions obtain till the end of June tho increase for the season will not be nearly so large as was expected. During April 2129 boxes of butter were graded locally as against 36C4 for tho same month last year. Thei'e has thus been a, decrease of 475 boxes. The position, however, is very different from that which obtained last year. In MarcTi,'l924, 3973 boxes were graded, while in April there was a. reduction of 3CO boxes. This year 4510 boxes were graded during March, but in April the ijuantity graded had been reduced to 2129 Boxes, or less than half tho output of the previous month. The reduction is entirely due to the drying up of the feed, ancl provided rain comes within the next week or two, thei'e is still t ime for a growth of feed.