DAIRYING EXPANDS

Taranaki Daily News, 11 July 1933, Page 5

DAIRYING EXPANDS

THE AUCKLAND PROVINCE SEASON’S HIGHER OUTPUT. LARGER AGGREGATE CHEQUE. In spite of the low prices ruling for butter and cheese on the London market during the past season, the remarkable increase in production in the Auckland province made possible a greater return in the aggregate to dairy farmers. Erased on an authoritative estimate of the average price paid for butterfat produced, the total cream cheque of the province was £BO,OOO higher at approximately £7,085,000. The final figures showing the production of butter-fat in the Auckland province during the year ended June 30 will' not be available until early in August, but it is estimated that an increase of between 22 and 33 per cent, on the previous season’s production has been maintained. In the season 1931-32 a total of 146,191,0001 b of butter-fat was produced and the output for the season just closed should be about 179,000,0001 b. In calculating the total money return, a basis of lljd a lb for butterfat was used in the 1931-32 season, the return being about £7,005,000. The figure for the past season was based on a reture of 91d a lb and this works out at about £7,085,000. RETURNS IN RECENT YEARS. The progressive increases in the production, of the province during the past five seasons and the estimated return to farmers are shown in the following table:— Output Approx, return

The average pay-out in 1932-33 is estimated at 9Jd, in 1931-32 and 1930-31 at HJd, in 1929-30 at Is 3d and in 1928-29 at ls~4Jd. The increase of over 22 per cent, for the past season is by far the largest percentage expansion for any one season. Previously, a 10 per cent., or slightly greater,, advance was regarded as a normal expansion in production. , Several factors combined to make the past season an outstanding one for P 1 0" duction. Apart from a short dry spell in the early autumn in the central Auckland and Waikato districts, climatic conditions were most favourable. This dry spell was not of much importance, as early autumn rains fell before the situation became serious. In the spring mild rains brought pastures away well and admirable dairying weather was experienced right through the autumn and early winter periods. INCREASE IN SUPPLIERS. In the North Auckland district beneficial rains fell throughout the season. The increased output in the North was a major factor in keeping production at such a high level Favoured'with such conditions, ,it was natural that the milking period of many herds was lengthened. ■ . ' In considering ’the total money return to farmers, it must be borne in mind that the numbers engaged in dairying must have shown a large increase. The poor return for wool induced inany praziers to milk small herds, and e extension of the small-farm scheme and the development of Maori agriculture, particularly in the north, meant an Increase in the number of suppliers. The dairy produce trade anticipates better prices for butter and. cheese in the coming season. There will possibly be a swing from dairying if the wool and frozen meat markets continue to improve. . .

Season lb butter-fat £ 1928-29 110,285,000 7,697,000 1929-30 129,300,000 8,081,000 1930-31 ...... 132,841,000 6,365,000 1931-32 146,191,000 7,005,000 1932-33 (est.) 179,000,000 7,085,000