NEWS AND NOTES.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14970, 18 May 1914, Page 5

NEWS AND NOTES.

SOUTH ISLAND DAIRY

ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL REPORT

Tlie annual report of the s"_i:th Is- | land Dnirv AsMX-intion states among other matters that the committee lias drafted a set of rules and regulations for the supply of milk in factories, and also formulated a scheme for the erection of a cold store for cheese at the Bluff at a cost of MOOO. The Bluff Harbour Board have been approached with regard to the erecting nnd running of this store. For the year ending March 31st the quantity and value of the Association's exports were: Butter, 10,7.38 tours, value £2,1-10,010; cheese, 3*1,113 tons, value £2,1*93,273; a total value of £-1.330,25_ for dairy produce exported (frozen meat being £1,901.26-). Tbe-e figures seem, the report says, to warrant the organisation of a scheme for the better disposal or control of the produce. The Committee havo resolved., it is understood, to have nothing to do with the system of advanco without recourse, and will probably put forward a scheme for open consignment to certain firms in Great Britain or elsewhere under control of a New Zealand committee, and the question of selling fortnightly at one centre in .New Zealand should also be con&idoivd. Such a sale, it is anticipated, would command the attention of many more buyers than operate now. Other matters which aro recommended for consideration are tho suggested payment according to standard of purity' for milk delivered at factories, as set forth by Mr Cuddle in the Journal of Agriculture for March 20th, and the question of improvement of dairy herds by culling after proper i testing." In reference to the latter | proposal it is mentioned that in tho South Island the cows supplying factories do not avorago over 1701b butterfat per cow per annum. By useful breeding the averago cow could ho brought up another 1001b of butterfat per cow. As there are about 200,000 cows milking in New Zealand this would mean an increase of £1,000,000 per annum, calculating butter-fat at Is ocr lb. Attention is further directed to,the neglect of the importation andj use of the best class of bulls, and the value of these to the dairy industry. Up to date, the report states, no complaints havo been received from abroad regarding tho quality of South Island cheese. There are some complaints of North Island cheese having been heated, but this was probably heated before it left. Reports received note an improvement on last year. Butter quality is less favourably reported on.