PRODUCTION OF BUTTER-FAT

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24895, 7 June 1946, Page 6

PRODUCTION OF BUTTER-FAT

DECLINE OF 14 PER CENT.

EFFECT OF RECENT DROUGHT

(P_A.) DUNEDIN, June 6. Reference to the declining figures of primary production* was made to-dav at the annual meeting of the South Island Dairy Association by the chairman, Mr H. H. Meredith (Waimate) when presenting the annual report. “The grazing figures,” he said, “indicate that there has been a decline of about 14 per cent, in the Dominions production of butter-fat during the present season. For the nine months to April 30 the decrease, compared with the same period of the previous season, was 19,457 tons of butter and 6216 tons of cheese. This serious setback is greatly to be deplored, particularly in view of the grave world food shortage. The main cause of the decline was the severe drought condition experienced for several months in the Waikato and North Auckland districts, and in a lesser degree in other parts of the North Island. How severe conditions were is Shown by the fact that one company reported a fall in output of 74 per cent, during one period, and another company 68 per cent. . “The closing down of so many dairy factories in recent years, and the decline in cow population,” Mr Meredith added, “are sufficient indications that dairying as a means of livelihood is losing favour. Hiis id a great pity, because there is no other industry in this country that, can contribute so much to the national income from the -sale of its products on overseas markets.”