DAIRY OUTPUT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 260, 1 October 1940, Page 10

DAIRY OUTPUT.

HEAVY YIELD AT RONGOTEA

, (From Our Own Correspondent.) RONGOTEA, Sept. 30. The man who milks cows is finding much to be pleased with so far as this season. Dry conditions, and an almost entire absence of mud during the winter have made for comfort. The favourable conditions are further reflected in the increased returns' per cow. The Rongotea. Co-op. Dairy Co. report a make of seven tons of butter per day up to the present. Slightly more than two tons are from the Rangitikei company’s suppliers, and the balance from Rongotea. Taking into account the number of suppliers who have been diverted to cheese, the Rongotea company alone is still 22 per cent, in production ahead of the same period of last year. This is a striking commentary on the excellent grazing conditions,, when fewer cows are responsible for a much increased output. Temperatures well above normal and a minimum of rain have hastened growth of pasture so that feed is extraordinarily abundant. The factory manager (Mr W. J. Read) suggested it would bo well for farmers to supplement the luscious groeri feed, which is carrying an abnormally high protein content, with hay, or some other feed that will supply the cows with a fat ration, as the unusually deep milking is depleting the body requirements of cows. The high quality of the grass is forcing cattle to put too much into the bucket for their own good, and already some herds locally arc losing condition. Unless feed is provided other than grass, Mr Rend thinks, there is a probability of a decrease in the output shortly, as 1 the returns show that many cows at the I present time are producing 30 per cent, more than in a normal season and the I eflfoct will he serious unless suitable provi- I sion is made. The Rangilikci Dairy Company hones to commence operations in its new building to-morrow.