KING COUNTRY DAIRYING.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 475, 19 June 1912, Page 6

KING COUNTRY DAIRYING.

Own Ccrresnondent

The Pio Pio Co-operative Dairy Co., Ltd., is certainly justifying the expectations of these who were responsible for its formation. The factory closed clown on June 3rd after a very successful ssason in evsry way. The output lias been considerably increased; 2d per lb more has been paid for butter fat supplied and the price obtained for butter will compare favourably with that obtained by any factory in New Zealand. The supplier are realising more and more that the manager is not the only one responsible for turning out first-class butter, that they themselves must do their part on the farm by keeping everything used in connection with the dairy absolutely clean and sweet, and by cooling the cream immediately it comes from the separators. The factory is happy in possessing a manager who-is capable of making the very best use of the material he receives, the result being that practically the whole of the season's output has received first grade at the Government grading store, Auckland. The average grade was 92 points, which is very satisfactory for a factory which is run almost entirely on home* separation lines, and which is as yet only in its infancy. The number of suppliers contributing to the factory this season was 33, as compared with 24 last season. The total output of butter was close on 30 tons, an increase of nearly eight tons on last season. In October |d per lb was paid for butter fat; since then lOd per lb has been paid. With the exception of what was sold locally, the output has been sold from month to munth to Messrs A. S. Paterson, Ltd., Auckland. The average price obtained for butter was I2~d per lb at the factory. The directors are anticipating a big increase in the supply next season. Many new suppliers are expected and many of those already supplying are increasing their herds; others are culling and replacing the cull 3 with fir3t clas9 dairy cows. If the anticipated increase comes to hand there is no reason why the company should not pay Is per lb for butter fat next season.