CHEESE PRODUCTION

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2895, 6 October 1916, Page 8

CHEESE PRODUCTION

"OUTLOOK FOR THE FACTORIES. Late reports from tie country districts confirm the opinion that the pro-. Auction, of cheese during the present season "5a going to bo substantially in excess! of last year's production, owing ;to the stimulus 1 given the factories by 'the very high prices. Most of tho fac'tories having_dnal plants are stated-to ■he concentrating their attention on the : manufacture of cheese, which offers a '■■better return than butter, oven a't tho i present high values of that • article. -Cheese is coming into the 'stores quickly, and apparently there is some ground for anxioty with rogaitd to slapping facilities. The _ Government lias not 'been able to give assurances on this hwurfc, and the present indications are jthat there, will be loss refrigerating 'Space AvaflaJble this season than there ,was last season, when tho output of the cheeso factories was smaller. The shortage of rennet reported after tho_ loss of a largo quantity'of that article on the Tonganro does not appear to have affected cheeso production to any appreciable oxtent. Tlio factories havo been able to, make temporary arrangements in cases where tho shortage was serious, and thoy tire not embarrassed by having to pay high prioes for fresh supplies of rennot whilo cheese commands its present high price. Tho experiment mado by, the Dairy Division of tho Department of Agriculture in the use of popsin>as a substitute for rennet is not yet complete. 'The cheese manufactured by the uso

of pepsin ill tlio Kaupokonui factory, South Taranaki, is under observation, and its condition tip to tho present time is'oonsidcrod entirely satisfactory. But the Departmental officers will not give v a final decision regarding tho suitability of pepsin for cheeso production until; the experimental lot has been examined at; maturity.