The Times. Published on Tuesday and Friday Afternoons. TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 1921. BUTTER FAT.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 657, 9 August 1921, Page 4

The Times. Published on Tuesday and Friday Afternoons.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 1921. BUTTER FAT.

"We nothing extenuate, nor aught set down in malice."

Those who have so firmly maintained that deliberate attempts were being- made to depress dairy produce prices at Home, have apparently been justified. It was obvious tha't with Germanty taking the bulk of Dutch and Danish butter, and Siberian out of the market for some years, prices in the coming season would inevitably be high. No doubt some clever people planning (to make a rich harvest, scattered broadcast the pessimistic reports of the diminished purchasing power of the masses, trade depression and numerous other causes which would make our dairy produce a drug in the market. Fortunately the scheme collapsed,, the long-continued drought in Western Europe playing- an important part in forcing prices upward despite strenuous attempts to artificially depress them, That at least seems the inevitable conclusion from a careful consideration of the mass of palpable propaganda which has flooded this country for some, a considerable amount being cleverly worked into the cable service of the daily press. The dairy farmers of this country, however, sat tight and awaited the course of events and now they are

learning the real state of the world’s markets. Offers for cheese at present received are Ud per lb higher than the war high-water mark, and the demand for butter is equally strong. Reflection- will show that it must be so. Central Europe is very cold in winter, and fats are required to keep up the heat of the body. During the war, the slaughter of all kinds of animals, particularly big ones, such as cows, was very heavy, and to-day the herds are depleted and insufficient to furnish even a milk supply- Climatic demands therefore compel the purchase of fatty foods from outside sources, and Danish and Dutch butter and cheese, in short supply owing to the drought, are being absorbed by our late enemies. The drought and the disturbed state of Ireland combine with the conditions mentioned to leave the British market practically bare of dairy produce, so that farmers in this country are assured of a splendid season. However, this state of things cannot last for ever. German farmers will rebuild their herds, conditions in Ireland will improve, fruitful seasons may follow the drought, Siberian buttgr will some time again become a factor in the markets of the world. There is only one sane way in which the dairy farmer can meet the coming changes and that is by increasing the production per cow. To-clay the cows of the Dominion produce idSibs of butter-fat per head per annum or just a trifle over 31b per week right through the year. When prices drop GO per cent., as they will in the future, this low average will induce dairy farmers to say tha:t the business is unprofitable, -whereas 'the dairy farmers’ penchant for keeping unprofitable cows will be the whole trouble. It the Dominion average is 31b per head, there must be a very big percentage under 21bs per week. When farmers realise that the provision of males from tested high milking strains will improve 'their herd returns beyond all knowledge. New Zealand’s dairy production will increase by leaps and bounds. A wise and widespread policy in this most important matter would increase the cow average from 168 to 300!bs per annum. Farmers, producing twice as much per head would be able to face a halving of prices with equanimity. This year, and possibly for the next two or three years, we will remain in an era of high prices which will enable the prudent farmer to make his preparations for the years which will follow. Dairying will always be very profitable provided the farmers treat their industry on business lines.