THE DAIRYING SEASON

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2682, 12 January 1924, Page 3

THE DAIRYING SEASON

EFFECTS OF DRY WEATHER, "Milk supplies arc falling away somewhat but that is only what one expects in this dry weather,” remarked the manager of a dairy fao(ory in conversation with a “Standard” reporter yesterday. “Last month,” lie added, “we produced .132 tons of butter, the same quantity' as in December twelve months ago. This is rather a strange coincidence, in view of the dryer conditions we are experiencing this season. As 1 have said, however, the supplies are now failing- away a little, but there is no immediate cause for alarm. Of course, if this dry- weather continues, say T , for another two unmlhs, Ihe position will become serious, hut the majority of dairy farmers are now providing a certain amount of green feed for use in the autumn. This season this' is more pronounced than in former years, proving that dairyfarmers are profiting by their previous experience of dry weather conditions. If rain does not fall in sufficient quantities within Ihe next two months dairymen will he 'seriously affected hut against the possible curtailment of supplies (lie prices for our produce give every promise of being well maintained. Evidence of this has been seen during the past few days. Home buyers have been endeavouring to purchase supplies of butter already alloat and mi consignment to the British market. This movement on the part of the buyers is due to the fact that they anticipate a rise and t hey must have reliable information that such is imminent because they would not buy unless they were sure of it. It is always a good sign when buyers take up their present attitude and the season will, I think, prove to be a very good one all round. Rain is badly needed, of course, but droughts in New Zealand are usually not very protracted and in.my opinion there is no cause to regard the future with any misgivings.”