GREATER CHEESE PRODUCTION

Southland Times, Issue 24460, 13 June 1941, Page 4

GREATER CHEESE PRODUCTION

SOUTHLAND OUTPUT 1126 TONS HIGHER

FAVOURABLE SEASON FOR DAIRYING

Cheese production establishing new records or approaching the record has been reported from most Southland dairy factories for the season which has now reached its end. With the exception of a small number of factories, which will cease operations within a few days, all the Southland factories have now closed for the season. Conditions throughout the manufacturing period were favourable for a good intake of milk.

The diversion of the supply of a number of dairy farmers from butter factories assisted to swell the output of cheese from the province, but seasonal conditions were primarily responsible for the large output. The supply was well maintained at all stages of the season and during the last three months has held up satisfactorily, there being good intakes almost until the closing weeks. The quantity of cheese from Southland dairy factories received into the Bluff cool stores for the season to the end of May showed an increase of 15,770 crates, or 1126 tons, compared with the same period of . the previous season. There was a decline jn butter received for grading of 6253 boxes, or 156 tons, for the same period. On a butterfat basis, production showed an increase for the season of approximately 300 tons. Following are the details of produce graded during the last two seasons to

SUPPLY REORGANIZED In the lower Matarua valley it was difficult to compare the returns for the season because of extensive reorganization in the supply to the factories. In the early stages of the season the Brydone factory was under repair and unable to receive milk and a few weeks later the Seaward Downs factory was destroyed by fire. The supply of these two factories was diverted to others in the area, and there was no actual loss of milk. It is estimated that the total return for this district, which represents the greater part of the output of the province, will show a considerable increase. In the coming season, it is expected that Southland will be required to play its part in the tremendous increase in output of cheese desired by Great Britain. There is not much scope in the province for a diversion from butter to cheese as there are only two butter factories in the area. It is possible that a number of the heifer calves saved in the spring of 1939 will come into production to swell the output of cheese.

NATIONAL RETURNS SHOW INCREASE

DOMINION OUTPUT RISES

BY 25.99 PER CENT.

Gradings of dairy produce for export for the nine months to the end of April show that butter output has increased by 5.41 per cent, and cheese by 25.99 per cent., according to figures shown in the annual report of the National Dairy Federation. For the 1939-40 season there was an increase in butterfat production of 10.342 per cent, in comparison with 1938-39. The figures for this season to the end of April with those for the same period last season in parentheses are: Butter (salted), 131,773 tons (124,908); unsalted, 86 tons (176). Cheese: White, 106,648 tons (81,010); coloured, 78 tons (3695) Total cheese, 106,726 tons (84,705). The average grade of butter graded for export during the year ended March 31 was 93.253 points compared with 93.361 for 1939-40. The report states that butter quality had been irregular with a slight downward tendency in comparison with previous years. . The reason might be found largely in the difficulties each spring through feed flavours, more particularly landcress. This problem showed a tendency to become more serious each year and to the present no solution appeared in sight. Despite the large amount of supply transferred from butter to cheese making, which might have been expected to have an adverse effect on quality, cheese quality had been well maintained in all districts, except certain areas in the north. The average of all cheese graded was 92.048 points against 92.065 for the previous year. Dariy produce exported during the past financial year was valued at £27,759,789, or £4,852,089 more than the 1939-40 figure.

the end of May: Cheese Butter (Crates) (Boxes) 1940-41 163,451 6,998 1939-40 147,681 13,251