SHORT DAIRY SEASON

Southland Times, Issue 19173, 18 February 1924, Page 6

SHORT DAIRY SEASON

WEATHER AFFECTS PRODUCTION. The Home markets for both butter and cheese are very dull. The reason is that recent heavy arrivals have been in excess of the demand. As regards butter, it is not expected that prices will drop to any great extent, though they may come back to the vicinity of 190/-. But the outlook for cheese is not too encouraging. Recent cable reports show values at about 92/-, which Is a drop of about 10/- per cwt within a week. The arrivals expected in London this month will mean an accumulation of about 5.000 tons over requirements. Practically all the dairy produce at present going to England from New Zealand has been shipped on cofisignment; consequently the effect of lower prices will fall altogether on the dairy farmer. On top of this his production is now beginning to fall cff rapidly. Although the season has been very dry, the feed has been good until quite recently; but now conditions are showing their effect on the flow of milk. The production of butter especially Is falling off, and already factories are making provision for keeping aside stocks for Iccal winter consumption, which is unusual at this time of year. e