NATIONAL DAIRY SHOW

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1473, 22 June 1912, Page 13

NATIONAL DAIRY SHOW

THE DOMINION, SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 1912

THE outstanding dairying fixture of, tho year, the annual National .Dairy Show of tlis Manawatu and West Coast Agricultural and Pastoral Association, is to be opened at Palmerstou North on Tuesday noxt, and the eyes of ail dairymen wiil bo turned towards tho big gathering, which-, has come to be regarded as a testing ground for Now Zealand dairy produce, and is rightly regarded as aii educative, interesting, and attractive affair. Tho show is essentially one for tho dairy farmer, and every dairyman who is in a position to do so will "down tools" for the nonce and wend him towards Falmcrston. Covering every phase of dairying, and illustrating to those engaged in the busings tho latest and most approved types of machinery and plant and, of produce, this forthcoming annual National Dairy Show is expected to bo ono of the most' complete exhibitions of modern dairying organised to date. The growth of 'this show has been phenomenal, and as tho gathering has increased in popularity, extensive additions have had to bo made to the buildings, until to-day tho Palnierston exhibition is a huge affair, and more space still is being claniourcd for. Tho dairy produce classes will bo on a mere extensivo scale this year than ever, and to win out in the competition on this huge testing ground is surely as high a testimonial as can be secured in New Zealand. The machinery section also is 011 an even more complete scale (his year than ever before, and all tho latest ideas ill connection with dairy factory plant and machinery will be put before visitors. A Brief History of the Show. Hie first attempt to hold a dairy show ■was made-as recently as 1901, and tho first winfc?r fixture of the Mauawatu and West Coast Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held in 1903. When the National Dairy Association, at tho instigation of its then secretary, Mr. C. E. Leattie, decided to hold a dairy show in connection with its annual ■ meeting, it entered upon an experiment which was doomed to an initial loss. Tho shew was held in an altogether unsuitablo little building, and as it was almost entirely of a technical character, there was little or nothing in it to appeal to tho general public. Although a loss was incurred over tho show, the exhibitors were well satisfied, and it was sufficient to indicate to those behind the movoipent that the" dairy show was a gatherings,-hieli would loom large in the public o.yo before many years had elapsed. However, tho association had no funds at its'command for tho purpose in view, and the following year (lie Manawatu and West Coast A. anil P. Association was approached with a request that it should gunranteo a certain sum for the purposes of the show. As (hero was 110 building available in Palmcrston North which would lend itself to tho project, tho society conld not see its v-ay to accept the proposition. At tho same time, the A. and P. Association Tecognised the great possibilities of the scheme, for tlw dairy industry, and the following year resolved to erect buildings for a 'dairy show 011 its grounds. Under tic management of this association, the show was a great success, and year by year its prestige has been increased, until to-day it- has a world-wide reputation.

The National Dairy Association. '.tile National Dairy Association, which has been so closely connected with the "Winter-Show, camo into exisleuce some 20 years ago. The dairy farmers and thoKs associated with the factories, felt that thero were many questions of vital concern to tho industry that could be best dealt with by a central authority and the association was therefore i'orni(d. 11l the first instance it embraced tho jvhole cf New Zealand, but it was not incorporated under tho Companies Act, 1882, although at length if became apparent that this step must be taken if the association was to do the best for its members. A. memorandum omi articles of association were drafted and on 33ccembcr 2o of 3807, His association was incorporated a.s a limited liability company J. he result was. that .there Were «e"e«Fions, and the whole of the South Island jell a way from the northern combination, leaving the incorporated association a •union of northern interests only. Tho southerners then combined, and exist today as the South island Dairy Association. ,

In the early days the association held its conferences in Tarnmlci. chief!v at ITawera, and it was not until Jnlv'23, 1001, that I'almerston had a look in. This was when the association held its first winter show. ' As stated .before the association lost money over this first venture and as the Mnnawutu A. and P. Association would not take the show over' and run it the following winter, the next conference was held at Stratford. This ivas the eighth conference, and it was tho last held away from Palmcrston. The following year (1S03) the A. and P. Association resolved to run the-show, and obtained a pledge from tho National Dairy Association that for a certain number of rears the conference would be held at Palmerston during the winter show fathering. That contract expired some years ago, but the conferences are still part and parcel cf the big dairy show. Truly frojn a small beginning the Palmerston Dairy Show lias developed into a hu»c ■concern.

The Opening Day and Some Fixtures. The forthcoming show will be opened by his Excellency the Governor on Tupsday, June -5, ond on this day the annual meeting of the New Zealand Factory Slariagers' Association will be held. The second day will be a busy day, the programme mappsd out being as under:— 10.80 % a.m.—AtWro«i "Tito Bem-iUs to the .Farmer of Individual CW-testing," by Mr. Burgess, 'V.ivra. 11..10 a.m.—Address "The Hfor.v of a Pasture," by Mi-. A. H. Cockayne, Government Hinlogist. 2 [i.in. —Address. "Milking Machine?, and flow to Keep Them Clean." by Mr. C. Stovenfon. Dairy Instructor. i.Vt p.in.—Address by the Chief Government Veterinarian, Mr. 0. J. Ileakes. 8.1."' n.m. —Addicss by tlio Chief of the Hairy Division of (lie .Agricultural Department, .Mr. D. Cuddic. Growth of the Dairy Industry. . N" bi'-r industry in New Zealand lias made more vapid progre-s ot late years than dairying, and the advance is still going on,* land which formerly ran she c .'p fir fat cattle being brought into use for dairying purposes in all quarters. The phenomenal prices for dairy produce during ihe prc-sont season have been such as to temjH farmers to enter upon dairying, and, again, dairying of to-day is not. what It _ was a few years ago, but is rather a Ecirace, and one in which the greatest ability and perseverance is required if tho bc-sfc results are to be obtained. Tho fame of Taranaki as :i butter-pro-ducing province is not altogether unknown, and it is interesting to recall the fact that the first occasion on which tho province carno into prominence was at tho South Seas Exhibition in 1887, when a Taranaki exhibitor, Mr. Chew Chong, carried off the first in ize in tho big class at the exhibi-

tion, for one ton of butter. Soon after this co-oiieration really caught hold in the country, and with the assist,-nice of the Government the industry commenced to build up to its ptcienh 'immense proportions.

Cheese, which is now proving a serious rival to butter, lias jiot always had its present attractions to the dairyman, and probably 110 industry in New Zealand has won out in the face of so many failures. After many fruitless trials to turn out a commercial article the Government took a hand and offered .1 bonus of >£500 to the factory turning out the first !i0 tons of Cheddar chcese suitable for export. Two factories—Edewhile (Southland) and Ficmington (Ashburtou) fought out the big prixo, the former factory carrying oif the coveted tonus. AVhcn the Kdendale Factory v;on the bonus it was run by tho New Zealand and Australian I.aud Company, but with tho cutting up of the estate the factory was taken over by Hie settlers and worked 011 a co-operative basis. The factory has progressed steadily, and lias long been looked up to as one of the first successful cheesc factories in the Dominion. Last year its output was SIS tons from 115 suppliers. Prominent as has been the part played by the chfeso industry of Into years, it seems destined to play a more important part still in the near future. As a result of the prices winch have ruled this season, many factories which in . the past gave the whole of their attention to butternmking, aro now putting in dual plants, 60 as to be able to get the very best the world's markets can offer. _ Tho State has taken an important part in the development of the dairv industry, and by its grading system, expert advice to dairymen, cow testing, and its insistent stressing of . the necessity for cleanliness, the Department, undor the control of Mr. I). Caddie, has rlorio an immense amount of good work. .Tho grading system was initiated some eighteen years ago, and for a juimber of years the whole of the butter output from Auckland, Taranaki, Hawkc's llav, Manawatu, and Marlborough was graded at Wellington, but tho system has been perfected and elaborated until it is now a hu"& business in itself. While New Zealand butter is not absolutely (lawless to-day, it is a remarkably fine sample, and corn-

paratively few complaints are received from thoso who receive our produce abroad. Quality o! the Season's Output. The butter exported this season has besn of a very satisfactory quality, and lias been inula uniform as regards flavour and general get up. The problem of "flshiness" which has caused trouble in the past, has been further investigated. According to an official statement, experimental work of great importance to the export trade lias bevu carried out at the AVallaceville Laboratory during the year. The net result, it is stated, is that the cause of the so-called "flshiness" has been clearly demonstrated. Bacteriological examination's gave absolutely negative results, but the Dairy Commissioner was able to prove that flshiness was apt to develop when the cream from which butter was made contained too high a percentage of acidity. As a result of this and previous investigations, factories were advised of the danger of over-ripening the cream. It is claimed that if every ■maker would pay strict attention to the ripening of the cream "fishy" butter from New Zealand would be a fast diminishing quantity. The average value of Kew Zealand butter Home, according to Departmental figures, Was 120s. per cwt. Despite the great increase 111 the mako of cliceso, the overage i quality is stated fei havo been quite equal to that of previous seasons, and the average value at Home of the cheese from this country has been 68s. (id. per cwt. for the year. A new departure in the cheese industry lias been the introduction of instruction in fancy and soft cheese-making, and it is on the cards that this work will develop largely, a considerable number of factories having availed themselves of the services of the instructress, Miss G. AV. Davie?, who learned her/business in> England, where the fancy cheese industry is carried nil extensively and profitably. A to!.al of 27 ik'w factories were built during the season, 20 of these being intended lor tin- nuimii'aeture of chesse, m-l seven for butter. The coming season will see a goo;! many more factories erected. -

Growth of the Export Trade. It is now about thirty years since the dairying industry :>f the Dominion began to expand and olfcr temptations to exporters who had their eyes on overseas markets, and the growth of tins export, trade has been a truly remarkable story of progress. Little by little tho means of production have been improved, ami New Zealand butter has now a world-wide reputation. _ Cheese, like butter, has also extended immensely, and during the past, season this product has run into record figures.

In 1883 tho quantity of dairy producei exported from Nov,- Zealand wa=, according to the Customs 410 ions of butter and 120 tons of cheese, valued at .£-19,912. At Ihe time these figures were no doubt considered highly satisfactory, and few could forelell (hi- future of tho industry, and that the value, of (ho butter exported for the year ended March 31, 1912, would reach the huge total of over .•CI ,770,440. and tho value of the choose exported for tho same year .-£1,297,088.

Tho growth of the industry has been steady, until now it is one of the most important in the Dominion.

Some idea of this growth may bo gleaned from the following figures of the c[iian-' tity and value of the butter exports for the years ending March 31, 1895, to March 31 last: — Butter. cwf. £ IS' 5 66,283 203,i1l . ISOC 60,036 241,151 1 75,257 297,518 ISOS 106,810 429,107 1599 102,179 433,481 "00 161,792 693,701 1001 194,553 790,160 1902 219,193 983.221 1003 263,196 1.265J59 1914 314,319 1,416,154 342,853 1,514,156 1906 -. 299,445 1,143,153 1907 308,830 1,522,113 100S 270.74S 1,333,057 1009 275,974 1,422,291 1910 322,070 1.635.373 I'-'H ; 367,496 1,878,320 1012 ■ 327,282 1,776,110 Cheese. The cheese exports covering the same period as above have been:— Year. ' out. - £ 1895 79,650 160,353 1891! 7i.t"4 132 P 39 ISO 7 71,003 135,711 IS9S 78,705 154,144 1899 50,409 100,992 1900 98,001 .208,258 1901 109,152 248,SS.'] 1902 5G.476 "189.992 1003 74,011 fSl.fiOt 1004 86.535 206.870 1005 82.421 180,874 19'lG 107.503 257.171 1907 132,913 449,G7G 190S 260.765 745,099 1939 310,087 "SGS.IGS 1910 441.787 1,186.708 1911 456,371 1,222,364 1912 463,610 1,297,05S Both butter and cheese have been made long after the usual closo of tho season this year, so that the present season's figures will be much lietter than as at tho end of March, particularly cheese, which lias gone up wonderfully during the past three months. The Government export figures for the twelve months up to tho end of May are:—Butter 343,977 cwt.. valued at X 1,871.614, and cheese 507,555 cwt., valued at £1,445,104. These figures give increases of .£18,535 in butter, as against the previous twelve mouths ended May, and <£328,908 in cheese for (lie same period.

Shipments tor Season 1911-12. The shipments of butter and cheese to London for the season 1911-1912 are as under Butter Cheese Steamers. Sailed. Boxes Crates. Buapelm Sept. 22 6,-101. — Tainui Oct. 5 21,8"if 3.235 Rotorua Oct. It) 28,1-15 7,157 lonic Nov. •! 35.918 13,321 Turakina Nov. 1,0 -16,729 19,347 Kia, Ora Nov. 25 — • 6,121 Alhenic Nov. 30 50,092 17.655 licmuera Dec. 15 53,775 10,270 ICaikenra ...... Dec. 20 52! 1-1,932 C'oriiifhic .... Deo. 2S 51,095 16,031 I'akeha Dec. 3!l 4,508 5,560 Paparoa Jan. 16 4,651 9,321

T?tiahine .Tan. 11 50,G07 13,200 Delphic Feb. ;i 4,731 g.105 Arawa lan. 28 50,526 J7',550 liuapehu ....... Feb. S 46,078 13,486 Tougariro Feb. 16 I,<JS6 9,OSS Tainui Feb., 22 44,273 W.GM Jlatatua Feb. 24 SlO 7,7;i(i Rotorua Mar. 8 35.833 IK7BO lvuipara liar. 10 — 7,433 lonic Mar. 22 26,747 5.301 Waimana. ... Mar. 27 61 10,18(5 Turakina A pi. 4 24,585 15,937 Athcnic Apl. 10 14,160 14,022 Ecinuera May 2 1,250 11,459 Corinthic May 16 178 12,713 Kuahine May '.10 13 8,004

Total COS,OOI 305,000 The above shows a decrease of 11,(MO boxes butter, as against the sumo period last year, and an increase of 57,902 crates cheese.

West of England Shipments, The shipments to the West of England wore:—

Butter Cheese Steamers. Sailed. Boxes. Crates. Norfolk Jan. i -1,962 0,783 Morayshire ... Jan. ;U y,7tii 13,923 Drayton Gr'g. Feb. 23 2,397 12, US Somerset ... Mar. 25 2,153 11,;|S8 Sussex Apl. 20 2-12 8,168 Surrey May 29 — G.O-IS Total 13,518 61,733 On the above figures the increase on la«t season is 11,889 boxes butter and 25,7!) i) crates of cheese. A Promising New Market. An important new market, which has absorbed ;> large quantity of New Zealand butler this -i-ason, ha- been Vancouver, and excellent priet s have been realised. From October la-I lo April the- Union Company's inonihly mail sloamcr-. carried 52,028 boxes lor Vancouver and San Francisco, acompared with cliiici boxc- for Ihe previous year. There is. in the opinion uf .■x[:or(-. u probabilily of a market for a <cil:iin quantity !'i" New Zealand bul-ler in V;mcouvcr "annually, tint the demand will defend largely on their olher mjiuccs of supply during the summer mouths. South African Market. It would appear lliat Soulh Africa is now meeting her own needs lo a lc.rcn extent, and our tra.de in that quarter is

falling av-av. From Juno I to ?ifav 31 5(i3G of liuiter werd shipped,. a:s against .2!|9S l>r ihe prev-ioifs. .season. \ ery high.. prices' .iiav.e ruled on the' overseas markets- .for both I eat lev a.iid checsij: (lu.ri'ilg the- nasi seti'stm, butter bringing up .to ..per cv.-'., and not dropping bi'lfiiv 12U.S-.. iln.t.jl the iiiiiidlo of Aprils. Wiuii th'. 1 first of the . season's cheese.' reached I/ond'oli', the iiiarket stood at 735, per- c.wt'.. (a.S '.eoiii.'pared with' i) 9's, 3d., for this 'Opening, of the previous seaSoh), and went up-a- liiih a-' 7Ss. AM filings considered, the season has. been an exceptionally good oil'e,' 'and' never have the pf.ice.?'- lielil. so goad iivm t'lio beginning to .tlie eiid of tjie senso.n.- T.hft prevnlence '.pi'' a. droimht thrpiigfjout ihe Nor(h'env : 4leiVrisph.(>i:.e ; svas' the main Reason for':■■■tho' 'pheiLo.iii.eual price?.

The Hi9h Commissioner's Cablegrams. J The prices ruiing for butter and clice=o through tlie season, as cabled- frblu London by tjie High Coi'iVm.iis.iojicr, are':— N. 7.. Butter. K. 7 (. Cl.icoss.. per cn nei cwt. ■ 1011.. ft f .d. s. d. Nov. 11. 130 N"fl-c|u'dtnfion Kov. 18 j:ii- ng 0 —^ Nov. 25. l':!2 ■ „,... tis 0 p™. 2 132 fi fi!) (V Dec. 0 .132 ...... fig li (ii) 0 Dec. 16. 132 (lit 0 — Dec. 23 :. 12!)' 7Q (j. Dcc.3o . ' 131 7:.i 0 71 0 Jan. 6' Kit 73 0. — Jan. 13 135 (j. _ Jan. 20 l;! 0 0 7:! 0 Jan. 27 j3l 7t 6 fi ii Icb. 10 132 71 (. 72 0' ',eb. , 1:12 71 6 72 0 l'. c,, - 2 + J-12 71 ii 72 0 Mar. 2 .......... .129; go 72; (i Mar. ' J-2J 73; ft 7.1: 6 127 73 0 -73 8 s[»r-23 v ■'■127' 74 6 Mar. 30 1:5 71 0 -Vprjl (J 124 7-1 0 -VApvi 13. »,>..„ l£i flj 0 _ Apri 20 l.l'l: ...... 72 0 April 2< 109 til -fi ■+- May 4 MO (lif (j 7 ij B Jay 11 11l Jin J2 0 May 18 103 72 6 73 Ii May2t H5- 7.5 n 0 dune 1 ■ 1(3 ■ 75 0. _ Wealth Invested in Dairying. The appriixiii ate value of tho land, buildings, piani, and. machinery used in li ","3' ''"'its 1 '. 1 ' in the Dominion, ijs at the taking.;' of tlie last census figures, in l March, 19il, was

'■ ' -:■ ; .M'Wn'ry I'mvineiat'. ' '■ laiid. -Bii'iicliiigs. Th-.ai. District. - . It; ' j; AueklaiuV ~t '20,38-3 ' 62,7'.3 lOf-,23.3 Taranaki ~ ~..■. 15.19S irivSfl 1!5 -In Kawhe's'Jßay , 7Su7 -iiOi'tinS ■ 2lfr!2r y.'ci'iingtoii IS.SSti B>,:i.(i't . Itls;9i;i. JL'it'lborou'gli SSO' ■ 5,>308 5;"51' Nelson ' !,oi.'l 7.167 ' lll.'tTll Uesfland . .i.-;- ...258- . 3iiil2 6;-369 Canterbury.. '2if;>sy7 ; 22!o(!!): Otago S,!)!"), Im.SOO, 21;863. youthlaiuf .5,73.0 :1,0.'.!77 .. 43;523 Total ....£110,360 .'lfti.J.fiS . lie.iil The 1 ands; eimiloyed ; 'a iid- y.-'ages in-.

the industry at the above (liito WW: — Hands employed. Waws paid. ivT'- l l.cih'ite, i\!a'tes : , i'lirriaies. District. ...... "j.Auckland ..."*27.2 ® "J.77S ' IST Taranaki — ■'l-t.btlS' Hjtwke's Bay "Si _ '.(o'ili Wellington -Sf£ ': '2 j'.Sdi Si Marll;orough'i!2. !''.St7 XcliOtl ;'?('■ + n'p.Vi Wcstland ... ■ J •i;;, Canterbury US ri.'igri js '"*s>, •••; M IS llli 3 0 Southland !2G ]. . 15,-135 )■> I.ISi 2-'> .ll.i!i,:iSU OS.") Increase.'.qf Home Separation. The past season., iias sieeit aii enormous increase in honic. sen.tirii.ti'on, but there are many who predict l hat this system raiis.t lower I.io tjiuiiiij; and the 'good nani.e of Aew Zealand b'tlier. On the o.ilv-r hand, supporters of .:lvqnye sehafiltion are WiOst enthusiastic in its pr,us-... M.uh «f '. : tlio cream received: ij;dnv (lie farni-; is- jia's.teu.f)sod, as 'reqgiiiinfcndcit l>v tlio Dairying Division. of tlio AgritiilWfa! Department, and this has maieriallv helped file sysloim Tlie- .sfrong.liolti r'if th • home separator .system'is Auckland Out of a total of 24i8:' .hon^ 1 ■separators. in 1 . ttse when (lie last ■■ e'eiisus figures ■ vi'ero: prepared, J7G2 were "iii p:'»vinco. Next iiV.'p.v.d.e'rkKV.nve.-.. iVdi'.liiigldiii with only L'!i2;.?mi X,';>nu. wilii !!!? \va» file only nll:<>r r.; 111 ii'ito ■Xl.n'iifii'o iignre?. 11l April year 'IV.vinnki sv;i«? credited with oiiiy' eilrlVt; Grailini] up 'H'ifdS. A pleasing i'eiif'ufi; (if :r.ese:it ha? lieon the fi 1 >101 illt' of.- Vfti!;k. i'jjf Jiorled frein ll>e . ACn.rfed: Iviftgdi'i.M!. a.111! America fur tiiV- [iinpiWe i»l" g;i.'u! : iUg. lii.i llie .\n< A.-iila:,.! ■(jii.ir\- jifvij-s. l! i,s giimj to '.."e liial brej'di'r=. j.vt:':!■[' ift.k.'iiig' nulii e (if Ihe ;vd\:'ii-:e Whiili purcliH'd sil'c.v Viiii.y'iii |w a.-nvi .10) lierlj building, and tli; ; : rcsivft'iHiisf be a-iijWi'ieitf. liel'iu'e Inn;,'. i!he: ij'ii.iii'ni'itjiui 11V ii.ie "boarder" cow lias 1;l. 1 ?i uuiifinelited. iji earnest, in of wliielj omriintv Iras to point to the 'syptcss df tile 1 movements. The' sVftem i's i.ilending, but 111-:' ha* SliJi id envrr an cnni'inn';,:;; Ucl'd it is. aiiy.thing like geucr'al.

1 Wiiitcr Fecdintir-A Weak. Point. Tho lack of..provi.si.oivlo\r winter feeding of dairy stock, is one ol tli.o outstanding weak points of the industry in Xew Zealand, and the conclusion el' export opinion is- ll.iat tliis liia'tfcr svill -hayo'. to yecciye. tliii a.ti'eiifio.n of .doirynVen .if Ijip l>C:St. i'esulfs are to l>a obtained, l'ai ily through tho teac'hi'iig of f.ho 'Dejiartinei'it; of Agriculture ar.il p.i'i!y as the lesult <.f , the severe lesson pf" practical experience, farmers-are begim.ii.iig to realise |hp necessity far providing -ira.e so'ri 01' v.-inVf feed for their .stpc.kj and it is utulerjtpod.'that; iilf'vir.s in (iiis d.iieeli.oh aro ly,'ing belief niisnagfd tiffs, year. Altogether the future appears to be very lirighi, b.\it ikiirymer. would l;o wisa not in btiiici 011 having a not lie r season sue.h r.s i'lio o.ue tlie'y are j list ieav.iiig behind 'thorn,-