DAIRYING ON THE PLAINS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4489, 8 November 1922, Page 4

DAIRYING ON THE PLAINS

INCREASED PRODUCTION. NGATEA FACTORY’S PROGRESSAs the Ngatea butter factory draws its' supply from nearly the whole of the Hauraki Plains facts obtained from that factory give a good indexation of conditions riding on the Plains generally. It is shown that so far there has been greatly increased production this season . Last season was a record one. Everything points to the present season being a better one than the last, both in the way of production and prices, so that the dairy man can look to bright times ahead.

The total output from the Ngatea factory last month was 206 tons, an increase of 80 tons (or over 50 per cent.) over a corresponding period last year. About 2000 boxes of butter are being sent away each week, the boat carrying away as many as 1100 boxes for the one trip.-

Tn giving the above figures to a “Gazette” reporter, the factory manager, Mr H, E. Harvey, said that the quality had been well maintained. No doubt, this season would be a record one. The dairy farmers were becoming more heavily stocked, and many wlio were confining their, attentions to fattening were npw turning to dairying. The farmers were how finding the value of testing, and there was double tlie number of herds being tested this year than there was last year. The farmers were acknowledging the high value of the land and making every acre productive. Theie was a marked increase in the cream supplied from the up-iver districts. Cream from Mangawhero was now being sent direct to the factory, MEETING OF COMMITTEES.

The first of a series of; quarterly meetings of the suppliers’’ committees of the N-Z. Co-operative Dairy Company’s butter factory at Ngatea was held in the public hall, Ngatea, on Friday, Mr T. W. Hales presiding over an attendance ofl about 40. Messrs A. J. Sinclair (assistant man.-' ager) and G. Buchanan (director) attended to explain the realisation of last season’s produce and various other matters of internal importance of the company’s. Numerous questions were asked and answered. Special mention was made of the very satisfactory grading of butter being turned out by the Ngatea factory, which was fourth on the list of the company for September. Mr Buchanan specially complimented the factory manager, Mr H. E. Harvey, on the fine showing made by him, and contrasted it with grades of cheese several years back, when difficulty

had been experienced in turning out a good article on tlie Plains. The remarkable improvement had been due to the suppliers’ fine care, the improved system of grading, and Hhe fine work of Mr Harvey iii the factory. Mr Harvey, in acknowledging the remarks, said that cream produced on the Hauraki Plains presented a difficult problem as against that coming off light country. The prime factor he found in dealing with it successfully was the low temperature. Tf the suppliers gave good cream and the directors good plant there was no doubt of the factory turning out good butter.

There was considerable discussion on manurial problems on the Hauraki Plains and what was best to be done in order to countract cattle sickness. Arrangements' were made to 'have ■samples of the soil taken and submitted to an expert for analysis ’..0 discover the best procedure to improve the quality of the pastures. Mr Tattersail, in conjunction with the committee, is to take samples at an early date and put the investigations entrain.

Mr A. J. Heighway gave interesting information regarding phosphatic fertilisers and lime, and arranged, to work in conjunction with the committee in connection with the analysis. Votes of thanks were passed to the company’s representatives and the meeting closed.