FAILING PRODUCTION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 158, 4 June 1940, Page 10

FAILING PRODUCTION.

BUTTER AND CHEESE. Reference to the falling off in dairy production up to the present season is made in the annual report of the directors of the National Dairy Association. Butter gradings for the 1939-39 season dißclohed a continuance of the decline in production which was in evidence the previous year, the total tonnage being 122,570 tons, in comparison with 142,835 tons for 1937-1938—a decrease of 14.18 per cent. Cheese production also continued to' decline, though not to the same extent as butter, the comparative figures being 81,577 tons for 1938-39, and 85,470 tons for 1937-38—a decrease of 4.63 per cent. Converted into butterfat equivalent gradings showed a decrease of 10.63 per cent. The following table compares the gradings for the last six completed seasons and shows the trend of production over that period:— Butter. Cheese.

One factor contributing to the loss -of butterfat production, and one of vital importance to the industry, was the further drop of 1470 in the number of suppliers, in comparison with the previous year. This fall, following on a drop of 4327 the year before, furnishes further evidence that under present economic conditions dairy farming is not an attractive calling, and indicates that farmers generally are operating under .financial conditions which do not leave them a reasonable reward for their capital and labour, the report adds. Weather conditions for the 1939-40 season were not favourable till about December, and up till that month a reduction in the output when compared with the previous year was shown. The good rainfall experienced in most of the dairying districts during that month resulted in an exceptionally heavy growth of grass, I and it is many years since such favourable conditions for production have been experienced during the remaining "months of the season. The total gradings for export to the end of April (nine .months) with corresponding figures for the 1938-39 season are as f0U0W8; - 1939-40 1938-39

Toub. Tons. 3933-34 139,337 107,139 1934-35 130,217 92,073 1935-36 85,555 193G-37 151,564 • 88,222 1937-38 142,835 '• 85,470 1938-39 81,577

Butter (salted) .. Tons. 124,908 Tons. 113,914 Butter (unsalted) 176 4,213 Increase, 5.89 (white) 125,084 per cent. 81,010 118,127 50.41-1 Cheese (coloured) 3.095 >o,222 Increase, 10.529 84,705 per cent. • 70,036