FARMING TOPICS Butterfat

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 260, 1 August 1942, Page 5

FARMING TOPICS Butterfat

It is learned from a report that the drybutterfat factory situated at Massey College has, since working on a commercial basis, from January to early June, converted 1600 tons of butter into 1300 tons of dry butterfat. The plant worked 16 hours a day and handled from 11 to 1} tons of butter an hour. The drying process takes from 10 to 15 minutes. It reduces the bulk of butter by 20 per cent., but, the all-important consideration is that the product is shipped overseas in non-refrigerated space. Tlhe water extraction and that of other unwanted contents of butter is accomplished, by melting, followed by the use of a series of separators, coolers, etc; Another plant is being assembled at Auckland, larger than the college one. It is recalled that dry butterfat is not really a new idea, for there was_ some made on a small scale in 1922, at Nathan and Company's Matangi factory in the Waikato.

Germany Misses Wool. Since the war began many types of German prisoners’ uniform' have been examined by a staff of experts, and they have found a steady decrease fit the wool content. In the latest samples it had fallen 65 per cent., the difference being made up with substitutes such as viscose, which comes from wood and paper yarn. Judging by the samples, all the clothing at present used by the German forces was unsuitable owing Io its luck of warmth and wearing quality. Such is the burden of a report from the Wool industry's Research Association, whose headquarters, are at Leeds, England. Europe’s Tuberculosis Risk. The “London Times, - ' commenting upon tlie food situation in Europe, remarks that a close connexion exists between food supplies and the incidence of tuberculosis; so much so that; this disease is often mentioned as affording an index of the value of wages in terms of actual nourishment.- Mention is made of the incidence in the past war. showing that there was a rise in the number of T.B. cases. "The same calamity has always attended a sudden withdrawal of fat-containing foods in northern latitudes.” It is remarked that the absence of any notable rise in- T.B. at Home shows that the British ration has been an over-all satisfactory one. Doubtless the knowledge of this factor is a major reason why New Zealand butter is going to Britain in these difficult days. ■