N.Z. BUTTER

Hokitika Guardian, 1 February 1928, Page 1

N.Z. BUTTER

COMPARED WITH DANISH AUCKLAND, J;(m. 30. When so 'much is heard of the respective merits of New Zealand and Danish butter, it is of more than passing interest to hear the comment of such a. well-known authority as Air J. G. Harkness, of Wellington, who returned by the Aorangi after a recent visit to Denmark.

“I fed it is a. bitter thought for those who are interested in the dairying industry of this Dominion,” ho said, “to know that butter which is produced under such ideal conditions in this country sells on the London market at 2-Jd per lb. less than wli.at is paid for Danish butter.” Although not inclined to .speak too freely of his experiences in Denmark. Air Harkncss described a special visit which he made in November last to a State experimental farm in that country. “At the time the whole country was under a heavy coating of snow,” ho said, “and this brought homo to me forcibly the much more ideal conditions under which dairying is carried on in our own country.”

On visiting this well equipped farm. Air Harkncss said lie asked if he might see on? of their best herds. He was directed to a great barn, and told that he would find the best milk producing herd inside. By force of contrast with our own conditions, he received something c.f a shock, for in that barn wore 50 cows and 3 bulls, being kept there for months oil end. To say the least, it was not possible for hygienic eonditons to be as favourable as those under which milking is done nnd separating is carried out in New Zealand.

“I was there for a couple of hours, from about 11 o’clock on," said Air Hnrknoss, “and the cows were then being milked. The milk was; run through pipes to an adjoining section of the barn and separating was carried on there. Our authorities in New Zealand would demand better conditions, but, of course, we must not overlook the handicap of the cold winter weather which cause herds to he kept entirely indooi’s for several months in the year. To me if seemed strange to see animals which had been provider! by Nature with legs to carry them around, having no more exercise than they obtained by getting up and lv ing down. Tt seemed stranger still to realise that milking was. carried on throughout the winter and butter was made under the conditions which obtain in Denmark.” Asked as to the methods of feeding. Afr Darkness said that ensilage was in universal use, and root crops were used to the fullest advantage. The herds were milked practically all the year round. As to the type of dairying cattle, he said the Danes had evolved a type of their own. These were red cattle, large and well conditioned, and good producers of milk. Replying to a further question, Afr Darkness expressed the liolief that as produced here, our New Zealand biller is of superior quality, but it has to undergo a. severe test in the way of refrigerated transit to London. “I doubt whether butter from Europe,” he said, “after such transit would open up as well as our New Zealand butter. It is not,” lie added, “that New Zealand butter is worth less than certain other butter on the London market. Tt is that people in England will pay more for the other butter.”