HERD TESTING.

Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18159, 25 October 1930, Page 9

HERD TESTING.

WORST SINCE 1924. ECONOMIC SITUATION THE CAUSEAMALGAMATED DAIRIES’ REPORT. The past monih has witnessed probably one of the most depressing periods on the London market since 1914, according to the monthly message of Amalgamated Dairies, Ltd., appearing in this month’s issue of The Dairyfarmer. Prices have dropped to the low point of 110 s for finest butter carried over from last season, while 1 there have been sales of new season’s “finest" at 112 s. Even allowing for the present economic position these low realisations are not warranted at this stage as the market cannot be said to be over-supplied., A comparison with last September and October quotations discloses a decline of as much as 66s per cwt. The principal cause is the general economic situation, but the trouble is accentuated as far as producers’ interests are concerned by the powerful grouping of buyers against competitive sellers, most of whom are anxious to liquidate their shipments as quickly as possible in order to show competitive returns. The continued disparity between Danish and New Zealand is evidence that New Zealand marketing methods leave much to be desired. Lack of Forward Sales to Canada. Further unfavourable atmosphere is created by the lack of forward sales to Canada, which relieved the London market to a considerable extent during the flush period of last year. The Canadian elections have certainly exercised an important bearing on our realisations this season. At time of writing there is a distinctly better tone in the London market, and the quotation for “ Anchor has been advanced to 1225. Holders of other butters, however, do not appear to be following this lead. Turning to the statistics for the the month of September we find that exports were slightly lower than for the previous September, and the season’s figures to date are much the same as the previous, year, although a larger quantity this sason has gone to London. Vancouver relieved with a record shipment of 37,500 boxes, which was safely oleared through the Canadian before the new duty operated. Stocks of all butters in Great Britain at October 1 were estimated to amount to 21,000 tons compared with 19,000 tons for the previous year. Stocks in New Zealand awaiting shipment reflect the increase in production, but it is gratifying to note that the policy of the Dairy Board is to keep the stores cleared. Australian and Argentine exports are much heavier than last year. Improvement in Weekly Sales. The average weekly sales of New Zealand show a small improvement over the previous month, and a very marked increase over the corresponding period of last year. . 'London weekly prices, deliveries and stocks are as follows (last year s figures, in parentheses):— ' Week ended September 20: Anchor," 132 s (184 s); Danish, f.0.b., ■l44s (1925); London deliveries New Zealand, 1895 tons (899); London stocks New Zealand, 8820 tons (6522). September 27: “Anchor, 130 s (184 s); Danish, f.0.b., 144 s (2055); 1167 (815); 7067 (5718 i). October' 4: “ Anchor," 122 s (184 s); Danish, fo.b*, 138 s (1935); 1065 (886); 8544 (5684). Oct. 11: Anchor 118 s (184 s); ' Danish, f.0.b., 140 s (192); 1240 (813); 7500 (5398). Total London-deliveries, New Zealand butter, 5367 tons (3413). Average weekly delivery, 13-a2 tons. , Average weekly delivery previous month, 1296 tons. Average weekly delivery previous year, 853 tons. The f.o.b. market has been very quiet, and, of the September shipments to the United Kingdom, only 1 per cent, was sold at time of despatch. 1 It is reported that sales have been made in the North at lid f.0.b., for “ finest,” shipment OctoberNovember. Although the future is very obscure there does not appear to bo anything to be gained by selling at this figure. Cheese. London prices have followed the butter movement, and buyers are making the most of the irregular quality of New Zealand cheese to keep prices down. The premium for coloured, which obtained up to August, has' now become a discount, probably too large a proportion of coloured has been going forward. The September export figures for cheese show that 45 per cent, consisted of coloured, which is too high a proportion, and it is likely that, coloured will be at a discount till corrective measures are used. Cheese production figures for the season to date indicate a substantial increase over last season. The returns are: Week ended September 20: Market steady but quiet; white 755, coloured 74s (last year, white 935). September 27: Market steady but very quiet; white 745, coloured 735; last year, white, 90s. October 4: Market unsettled; white 725, coloured 71s; last year, white, 955. October 11: Market slow; white 70s, coloured, 68s, last year, white 945. ' ■

DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTH. RETURN OF MR. C. M. HUME. “There is a large increase in the ounibsr of cows under test in the South Island,” stated Mr C. M. Hume, manager of the Dominion Group Herd Testing Federation, speaking to a Waikato Times reporter. Mr. Ilume has just returned from an organising trip in the South. Five new groups had been formed in Westland, he said, a district where there had been no testing previously. All the other groups revealed an increased membership. “ Farmers down there are a bit worried over the butter fat prices as they are everywhere,” he added. "They are beginning to realise the necessity of producing at a lower cost.” Tiie feed in the South was much more backward than in the

Waikato..