THE FARM.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13455, 28 June 1912, Page 8

THE FARM.

DAIRYING INTERESTS. At the National Dairying Association's annual meeting held at Palmer-* ston North, in addressing the delegates upon the last year's operations, the [chairman, (Mr A. Morton) said he I could fairly 'congratulate them upon tho highly satisfactory results obtained. The condition of the association's finances had materially improved and the various' accounts were in a much more satisfactory state than a year ago. The. . association's indenting business had gieatly increased, but a still more marked increase would bo recorded if members were only to realises tho great value of the association to them in this respect. The outstanding feature of tb« da:ry year was the very bad spring. The actual loss to butter and cheese-producers as a result of the unfavourable weather was computed by him to be at least £101,----523, though if the ordinary yearly increase was allowed for the loss could be put nearer £120,000. It was very fortunate, that high prices wore recorded during tho period of low production, otherwise the outlook for the farmer would have been very dismal indeed.

Recent experiments' had .shown that there was a very large market for butter on the Continent of Europe and also to a less extent, in Canada. In cheese, however, Britian would remain almost the sole purchaser. Producers were to be congratulated Upon the \My high quality of both butter and eh.^se, respecting ■ whteli there hn-d been an almost entire absenco of complaint. A. considerable advance had been made in tho. utilisation of tho by-products, especially of whey, which was being manufactured into butter. The manufactiire of casein -nko appeared to hold out prospects of being a, paying proposition.

It was his opinion that butter made from whey ought to bo exported under a separate brand. At present it was branded "creamery butter," which did not seem to him to bo quite right. They must also remember that this butter was not going, to enhance the reputation of Now Zealand creamery butter, which r>t present was rightly held i?i hi;I.]) "stecm. In view of the growing trr.de with the Continent, producers r.hould be exceedingly careful to see that no pmservativo was

A point which was worthy of very careful consideration was one in connection with export. It was not in tho -best interests of tho industry that the surplus stock from the autumn should be held here until early in tho following spring as was now done. Factories ought to recognise the necessity of sending this surplus butter away in the autumn instead of holding it until the spring when it likely to reduce tho value of the new product. Instead of ceasing to ship at the end of March, they should continue shipping for another four or five weeks, in order to secure a clear market in tho spring.

Much of tho loss of production this season was due to the utter unpreparednoss of farmers for the bad weather. Had proper steps been taken much of tho loss might have been avoided. He urged farmers to have moro cafe in regard to feeding stock, preparation and manuring of pastures, and selection and caro of herds.

The outlook for the coming season was most hopeful. The demand was continually increasing and he believed that this .year even some of the Continental firms would have representative's out hero to secure- butter outputs. Altogether the dairy farmers had every reason to b o satisfied with the prospects before them. He moW the adoption of the report and balancesheet

Mr O'Hara seconded the motion./ In the course of a discussion ,upon tho report, there was a good deal said respecting the importation of manures through tho association. Some monitors said that basic sla.ee and superphosphates arrived in bad order, but other delegates stated that they h;id ahva.y.s been well satisfied with the condition in which the stuff arrived.

Tho chairman and secretary both assured members that every effort was made to deliver manures in proper order. In any case, factories were n?ver charged for what they did i:ot gat. , ~

The motion was carrkd unanimously