THE DAIRYING INDUSTRY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 552, 22 March 1913, Page 5

THE DAIRYING INDUSTRY.

PROGRESS IN DISTRICT. LARGE INCREASES GENERAL. The progress made throughuot this district by the dairying industry since the introduction of that branch of farming has been very marked, The strides made are greatly due to the system of home-separation, upon which all the factories depend. The absence of good roads renders any other method of dairying impossible, and the results obtained by the various companies depending upon the supply of home-separated cream are in every sense gratifying. The Aria factory, which was established about three years ago as a proprietary concern, and which wa3 subsequently acquired by the settlers on the co-operative principle, has pro grsssed beyond the hopes of the most sanguine of its suppliers. In conversation with a directur of the company the Chronicle representative learned that the factory was turning out an average of about nine boxes of butter daily, an increase of about double the amount as compared with' Joe previous season. Suppliers were being obtained from \he Tanigtu district in considerable quantities, while the settlers in and around Aria were increasing their herds each season. It is probable a considerable supply will be obtained f in future from the Paraheka district, which is a fine dairying locality. A proposal is mooted in the direction of establishing a factory at Paraheka, but it is felt that better results will be obtained by the settlers supplying the Aria fac tory until conidtions are more favourable for the starting of a separate factory. One of the features of home-separation is that it enables the settlers at a distance to milk and supply to the factory at a minimum of labour. The benefit of co-operating to supply one fact'ury and making it a thorough success is apparent. It er. sures the profitable working of the factory and enables the company to j pay a much higher nrice for butter fat J than if only half the supply was forth- i coming. When the district is fully developed and it is possible to establish factories where desired in the certainty of obtaining a substantial supply of cream for all tne establishing of new factories will be a matter of course. In the meantime it is sound policy to assist in placing the already established concerns on the best possible footing. The output of the Aria factory for the season was sold outright at Is OJd per lb f.o.b. Auckland, and the soundr.eps of this course was exemplified during the season. As a result the suppliers have been receiving a thoroughly satisfactory price all the season, and will be well on the right side of the ledger. The quality of the article turned out by the manager, Mr J. McDonald, is evidence by the fact that the average grade obtained by Aria butter this season is 93£, one grading having reached the fine total of 95£. The prospects for next season are excellent and extensive additions to the factory are contemplated. Mr Dempster, the Government expert, paid a visit to the factory during the week for the purpose of advising as to the nature of the additions. In conjunction with the Pio Pio factory the Aria settlers intend starting a testing association as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made. In the case of Pio Pio factory the same story has to be told as that relating to Aria. Steady progress has been maintained each year, and che present season shows a marked improvement in the business of the company. Operations were commenced this season with a supply which was double that of the previous year, and the increase has been maintained throughout. The grading of the butter shipped for the London market has been highly satisfactory , the last four grade notes being 94t0 94J.

This indicates in a striking manner the success which is attending the home-separation system, and assures to the backblock settler, who is unable to dairy under any other conditions, a satisfactory price for his butter fat The directors of the Pio Pio factory are contemplating alterations and improvements to the factory, being fully alive to the necessity of keeping the equipment fully up-to-date in every respect. The Ohura Co-operative Dairy Company, which has its factory at Niho Niho in keeping with other King Country concerns has to report a substantial increase in its business. The output from the factory last season was about forty-seven tons of butter, and this season the output is estimated at over eighty tons. There is, moreover, a prospect of the proprietary factory at Matiere becoming absorbed by the Ohura company, in which case the position of those engaged in the industry will be greatly improved. The company has passed through troubulous times,but prospects ahead are of the brightest; and each season sees an improvement. The volume of business is increasing rapidly, and with improved means of transit settlers will get a much better return for their labour than has been the case hitherto.