DAIRYING ON PACIFIC COAST.

Putaruru Press, Volume IV, Issue 121, 25 February 1926, Page 7

DAIRYING ON PACIFIC COAST.

UNSETTLED CONDITIONS. Never before during our Of close connection with the dairy industry in California have we noted such an unsettled condition as has existed during the year that has just closed (says the Pacific Dairy Review), rrhere has been a remarkable shifting of herds. Men have gone into the business and more seem to have gone out. The best illustration of this shifting comes in a report from Los Angeles county, where one auctioneering firm that specialises in dairy cattle held 26 public sales during the month *of December. Sundays and Christmas Day were the only days in the month when no were held. While some of these sales were confined to cows

shipped in from other sections and States, the most of them were held for dairymen who were closing their businesses. It is difficult to draw any conclusions as to the meaning of this shifting other than that it must express dissatisfaction with the dairying industry. Of all lines of farming none is considered .more stable than the dairy business, but the conditions we refer to represent instability rather than stability. Either these dairymen who are selling out are not finding the business profitable or they are not getting the deal on their product that they feel they are entitled to. In the long run, no doubt, many will regret the step they are taking, hut It is unfortunate for the dairy industry and for the State of California that this condition exists.