THE DAIRY FUTURE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19050, 1 July 1924, Page 8

THE DAIRY FUTURE.

DOMINION’S POSITION TO-DAY. REVIEW BY MR. SINGLETON. “Despite the position of Denmark I believe New Zealand is the greatest exporter of butter in the w0r1d..,” stated Mr W. M. Singleton, Director of the Dairy Division, in addressing the National Dairy Conference on the subject of “The Present Position of the Dairy Industry in New Zealand.” Certain conditions in which the Dominion had an advantage over her greatest competitor, Denmark, were stressed by Mr Singleton. No other country had such a number of cows per head of population, the figures for btyew Zealand being 96, and for Denmark 46. Denmark imported butter for home consumption and had to import food stuff. Neither of these factories were in evidence in the Dominion industry'. Again the .balance of trade favoured the Dominion by seven millions. The proceeds from dairy export, 18 i millions, was not exceeded by any other product wool being at 15 millions, and meat at 12 millions next. The dairy farmer had made a splendid reply to the request of the Prime Minister, Minister of Agricul ture, and economists to increase production during the war and post-war period. In 1915-16 the output was 24421 b per person, as against 2761 b in the 19 21-23 season, an increase of 13 per cent. Betwen 1913 and 192 3 there was an increase of 24 per cent, in the volume of butter and cheese imported into Great Britain, and this evidenced the competition which was in progress for the markets there. Australia, Siberia and Argentine all had their difficulties to contend with in competing with the Dominion. HOLD WHAT WE HAVE. “These points bring us to a realisation that we want to hold what we have and our record on the London market is pretty good/’ averred Mr Singleton. We have now reached a time of receding prices, and receding prices are usually associated with complaints.” There were some matters «which the Dominion factories should remedy. One was the excess of bi-carbonate of soda which had been used to neutralise “fishiness.” Another complaint was the delay in shipping butter. It had not i been as promptly despatched during the past few years as previously, and he had had a letter from Home emphasising the loss of prestige of New Zealand butter consequent upon stored butter being put on the market as a first-grade article. These were the two great points which must be improved. The dairy division would look after the first, and he anticipated that through the activities of the Control Board the delay in placing butter on the market at Home would be obviated. TIME FOR HIGHER GRADING Turning to cheese, Mr Singleton said that the great defect in the manufacture was openness, and attention was being given to it. This was due to some fermentation, which he later explained, and not pasteurisation. Referring to the raising of the minimum grading points from 88 to 90 for first grade, he stressed the point that the time was now opportune to make the change. There were a few factories which were not very concerned with high quality, provided they could get the turnover, and their action acted as a Westinghouse brake on those which were keen to raise the standard. After dealing with the economical aspect, Mr Singleton summarised his remarks as follows: (1) Statistics suggested that the present production of butter and cheese will suffice for the worldVs international trade for the time being, and improved quality is therefore a necessity for maintaining our position in the dairy produce trade. There is a need for cream grading, farm dairy instruction, and a higher minimum for first-grade butter and cheese. Attention must be given to better feeding and breeding of dairy cows, and more stringent culling out of the lower producers, as determined by testing for yield. Finally there was a need for increased consumption of milk and milk products locally. In reply to a question Mr Singleton stated that the last record of cows tested, numbered 146,000,. as against 90.000 previously. The conference expressed appreciation of the address and carried a resolution that the grading test minimum be raised to 90.