DAIRYING IN WEST LAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 November 1919, Page 1

DAIRYING IN WEST LAND.

A. YEAR’S RECORD

(Paper read by Mr R. Wild, at the Chamber of Commerce).

The past year has been most distress-

ing to the farmer, the weather conditions having been more severe than for 10 years previously. As a result of this the factory returns do not show the increase that was to be expected, although the high prices established during the war have been maintained. The Kokatahi factory produced G7lbs under 94 tons of butter, for which £l7OBl 2s lid was received, equal to a fraction over Is 7. l ,d per lb. The production was 9 tons- less. than the previous year in quantity and £2,881 more

in cash but it is more than likely that part of the cash realized properly belonged to the previous period. The suppliers received, including bonus, a fraction over Is B;,d for butti/r fat, but the credit balance was reduced by £llOO to do this. The Arahura factory produced 3681bs over 55 tons of butter for which £9973 5s 3d was received equal to Is 7.37 d. Tlie prodiie;iou was nearly 3 foils less than 1918 md the cash £351 better, evidenly due to a refund from the Government Equalisation Fund. The suppliers when paid their bonus will have received Is 62d for butter fat. The Inter-Wanganui factory produced 210 lbs under 150 tons of cheese and 280 lbs over 3 tons of butter which realized £15373 12s 3d. 9 tons less cheese and 1 ton more butter has given this Company £lOl7 more cash this year and the suppliers get Is 10d for their butter

fat. The W nit ah a factory products realized £5234 ,1s 2d, being £832 less than the previous year. The Wataroa factory produced 485 lbs under 44 tons of cheese, which realized £4157 Is 2d equal to 10.17 d per lb. There is at present no indication of prices of dairy produce coming down, in fact it looks as if in the near future it will be an easy going farmer that will be content with less than 2s per lb for his butter-fat. To attain tliis > quantity production is the first requirement m order that full use may be made of byproducts. With this in view it should be earnestly considered whether a central factory- and cold store at Hokitika, or other central station on the railway would not be of material benefit to both producer and consumer. The total value of the dairying products above enumerated is £51,819 2s 9d, The figures for the Kumara factory were not available. The dairying industry in this district last year was therefore giving, a cash return of over £I,OOO per week.