THE DAIRYING INDUSTRY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4363, 9 January 1922, Page 2

THE DAIRYING INDUSTRY

NOTES FROM HAURAKI PLAINS.

POSITION AT THE FACTORIES.

NGATEA’S INCREASED OUTPUT.

Now that all dairy farmers, especially those who bought land at high prices on the Hauraki Plains, are anxiously wondering what their but-ter-fat will realise, anticipating the worst .but hoping for the best, it is perhaps appropriate that we should give an outline pf the situation at some of the butter and cheese factories on the Hauraki Plains; While in some cases’there has been increased supplies and output, other factories have shown little or no increase, in fact, in one instance there has been a marked decrease in supply. In that particular case, however, the decrease: is accounted for. - It is some satisfaction to note that the dairy herds have been greatly improved, partly by the culling out cf the old cattle and also by the introduction of a better class of stock. A large percentage of the farmers on the Hauraki Plains are ex-settlers of Taranaki, where a high standard of breeding is maintained. These men have not only brought with them ’animals of more productive value—and acting as an incentive to others—but are always raising the productivity of their herds, ridding themselves of the. inferior beasts, which are replaced by better ones. NGATEA FACTORY’S PROGRESS.

“There is a wonderful future foT the Hauraki Plains. It's growth has been phenomenal,” were the remarks of Mr E. Harvey, manager of the N.Z. Corop. Dairy Co.’s Ngatea factory, when interviewed by a “Gazette” reporter last week. The Ngatea factory, which opened in March last, draws its supply mainly from the western portion of the Plains, which includes Patetonga, Kaihere. Waitakaruru, Pipiroa, and Hopai, as '.well as a portion on the other side of the river. Approximately this' was the same area which supplied the old Kopu factory, yet last month’s output from the Ngatea factory, which now makes about 160 tons of butter per month, was 60 tons in excess of the amount made at the old factory in December, 1920. This fact in itself is ample evidence of the remarkable growth of the industry on at least the western portion of this wonderfully fertile area. The Ngatea factory was designed for an 800-tons capacity, but it is anticipated that this season’s output will be, on a very low estimate, 1100 tons. Five and a quarter tons of butter per day, on 38% tons per week, is now being made. Last Thursday 1402 boxes were, sent to Auckland on the s.s. Hauiti and s.s. Gael. That represented less than a week’s supply. The grade of butter, also, is gaining a higher standard, and’ is much above the grade .at the Kopu factory at a similar period last season.

Being only an 800-tons factory, and making well over 1000 tons in one season, it .is evident that the building and plant is much too small f-or requirements. It is, therefore, no idle expression of opinion that the present conditions of supply indicate the enlargement of the factory in the iin.mediate future.

Since the factory opened the delivery of cream has been given much consideration. It was formerly brought to the factory by launch from Waitakaruru, Pipiroa, and Hopai, but the present use of cream carts over this route has been found to be more convenient and an immense benefit tp the quality pf cream. Much has been added to the comfort of the employees, the management affirming the principle that a contented workman is a Trilling one. A comfortable 10-ropmed bach with single room accommodation -has been erected, and two more cottages forthe married men are in the course of construction. If the factory continues to progress as it has done during the first nine or ten months of its existence, and more hands are employed, employees’ dwellings should sp'on resemble a little village apart from the remainder of the settlement of Ngatea. EVIDENCE OF BETTER HERDS. Though at the Huirau Road factory the output has not been increased tc any appreciable extent, the tests have been found to be a couple of points higher than during a similar period last year. At the Netherton lactory the tests, have also been higher. These facts confirm the assertion that there is a better quality of dairy cattle on the Plains, in those districis at any rate. The Huirau Road factory is now making about 36 cheeses per day, and exported 41 tons 'of cheese last month. About the same quantity was sent away during the previous December. A decrease is being noticed in the supply now that the dry weather has commenced.

The production at the Hauraki Plains factory at Turua is said to have increased, extensions having been recently made to the plant. The endeavour of the settler,s to keep the stock in good condition not only in that area, but in a district embracing Kerepeehi, Netherton, Wharepoa, and Hikutaia, has been shown in the formation of a veterinary club, having its headquarters at Turua. The vet-erinary-surgeon appointed is to commence his duties this month. The Netherton cheese factory had a big season last year, but there has been a falling off in supplies this summer. Quit a number of farmers are now sending their cream to the Paeroa factory, thinking that better value Tvould be obtained, for butter. Thirty cheeses are made daily at Netherton, this number being 28 less than this time last season.

The cattle in the Netherton district 10 years ago have been described as a poor class, but the influx pf Taranaki, men into the district has been signalled by the appearance of better dairy herds. The increased tests at the Netherton factory is partly attributable to this improvement in the stock.