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Hokitika Guardian, 17 June 1932, Page 4

In spite’ of unfavourable conditions the total of dairy produce manufactured in New Zealand for the season up to April 30th. shows an increase. Production has be'en well maintained and at the end of April showed an increase over the previous year of 3.953 per cent. A disturbing feature and significant of the difficult times which farmers are experiencing, is that although production for the Dominion has increased, the average return per cow shows a .sharp decline. For the season 1929-30, the average was over 21811). of butterfat per cow, and for the season 1930-31, the Hr.-1 year of t!m slump, it foil to 20011). When the present season is completed, it is estimated that a forth r substantial drop will be disclosed. Even allowing for some difference, on account of seasonal conditions, the main cause of the decline is unquestionably the finmieial stringency caused by the discrepancy between farming costs and the prices received for our produce, The use of fertiliser lias of necessity hroii curtailed, and tile maintenance of farm efficiency lias become increasingly difficult. More cows are being milked, and so the drop is not yet reflected in the total production, but the significirw of these figures is unmistakeable. ’Hie point is not specially mentioned, hut there is no doubt Fiat the decline in the average production pel' cow is due to the herds not having been so heavily culled during the past two years as in the preceding

yearn when prices for butter-fat were | more profitable. At the present time | there is not the demand for young stock of ■ high-producing quality as should be the case if dairy farmers were in the position to purchase them. This is shown by the annual sales of pedigree stock that- have been held. At the same time marked young heif- , ers have been selling very well. It is unly by improving the herds by testing and culling and increasing the number of high butter-fat producers that the average return per head can be maintained or increased.