END OF DAIRYING YEAR

Taranaki Daily News, 8 July 1930, Page 6

END OF DAIRYING YEAR

PERIOD OF LOWER PRICES. SLIGHT PRODUCTION INCREASE. With an Increase in the total dairyproduction of the Dominion New Zea- . .land farmers have experienced an aver- . ao-e season despite the low prices rul- I ing. Ae far as butter ie concerned come j “uncertainty exists as to the future, but | there are indications that there will be an advance in the quality of New i Zealand cheese, with corresponding | benefits. I ■As the dairy factories’ financial year has only, just concluded no definite ■ fig- . ures as to pay-outs are available. It j appears, however, that butter prices j will range from about Is 3d to Is per pound of butter-fat, while the payment to cheese factory suppliers will be possibly from la 4d to Is 6d. Ono . cheese factory, at least, has paid out Is : 6d per pound, with another bonus to ' come. This is considered by those in I close touch with the industry to be ex- | tremely high under ruling conditions, ' and it is not thought that many com- | panics will be able to achieve as large a measure of success. . The most satisfactory pay-outs have been made by companies gelling f.o.b. In one case, it is understood, an extra 17s per cwt. was obtained by selling f.o.b. instead of consigning. Last year’s prices were considerably higher, averaging about Is Cd for butter and Is 7-Jd for ch&ese. _ The making of standardised cheese has led to a drop in cheese production. A- News representative was informed that the decrease on last year’s export was about 5 per cent., due entirely to standardisation. There was, of course, a corresponding increase in the export of butter. One cheese factory was receivino- up to £5OO per month for its surplus fat. However, other causes, chiefly improved farm management and a wider use of fertilisers, also contributed to a larger production of butter during the 1929-30 season. The 1927-28 and 1928-29 seasons-were exceptionally good ones,, for production was high and the firm, with aood values ruling. The increased production last season did not compensate for the lower prices, but nevertheless it -was slightly better than the 1926-27 year and quite up to the average. ■' DIRECTORS’ DIFFICULT YEAR.. * “The marketing of the 1929-30 pioduce,” a dairyman informed a News renorter, “is now sufficiently advanced to give a fair indication of the returns likely to. be .realised, for. the season just closed. It has been a difficult year for directorates, and those which took advantage of the few offers for the purchase °of butter and cheese f.o.b have found this policy more remunerative than consigning to the London market. ( The comparatively high values of the t 1928-29 season naturally had an influence, and many companies were disinclined to entertain the offers which were made. Having embarked on a policy of consigning, they stuck to it through the eeaeon. It was not a in<r year, and it can be said that offers were spasmodic and highly disastrous to the buyers. FUTURE. UNCERTAIN. “With a good production season dairy factory suppliers are reasonably happy,” he continued. “The future is, however, uncertain. The opinion is held in some quarters that possibly New Zealand butter and cheese will fetch lower values in future.” The opinion seems to be generallyheld by South Taranaki dairymen that there will be an endeavour to improve New Zealand cheese. The feeling is general that there will be a definite stimulus to make better quality cheese. The determination has been expressed among factories in this district to go right out for quality in the coming season. “It will be surprising as well as disastrous if these efforts do not lead to much advanced quality, ■ a reporter—was told. ;*■ Better cheese, it is thought, will tend to make the market leee uncertain. It is .claimed that New Zealand butter being so far from the market ie labouring under a handicap, though this does not apply to cheese to the same extent. Some of those in close touch with English conditions think that New Zealand dairy produce, both butter and cheese, is to a certain extent spoilt by neutral flavours, They admit, however, that the point is debatable. Should it prove possible to make cheese and butter of a better quality without Increasing unduly the cost oi production, ~the future for the industry should be quite bright. > From statements made by Mr, P. O. Veale, by Taranaki factory managers, by members of the.federation and by National Dairy Association delegates, it would appear that the improvement can economically be made in the cheese, but a reporter , was told an improvement in butter quality is a debatable point.

TE ROTI DISTRICT NEWS. The fortnightly euchre party-dance on July 1 was again well attended. Miss North won the ladies’ first prize with 14 games and Mrs. Robinson was second with 12 games after a play-off with Mrs. Simpson. Mr. Fred Startup won the men’s first prize with 13 games and Mr. G. Graydon was second with In games after playing off with Mr. Gordon Hooper. The music for the dance was supplied by Mesdamcs Bennett, Kelly and Fowler and Miss Grierson. .Mr. it. Duggan was master of ceremonies. An enjoyable afternoon, arranged by the ladies of the district in honour oi Miss Ivy Todd, whose marriage takes place'this week, was held at Mrs. Bloor s residence on Friday afternoon. Iwo amusing competitions were won by Mis. Condon and Miss Todd. After afternoon tea had been served Mrs. G. Cockerton asked Miss Tcdd io accept a silver teapot as a parting gift from her friends, who wished her good luck and happiness in her new home. Miss Todds futme home will be at Te Awamutri. , •Mrs. M. Kelly is at present e'onfihcd to wbe«L ■ ■■ ;