DECLINE IN DAIRY PRODUCTION.

Shannon News, 27 November 1925, Page 3

DECLINE IN DAIRY PRODUCTION.

■ RAIN BADLY NEEDED. CONTROL BOARD ,CHAIRMAN’S VIEWS, It was intimated yesterday by Mr W. Grounds, chairman of the New Zealand Dairy Expert Board -of Control, that up to tpe present date there wa-s a /decline in production figures compared w-itli ibis period of last year.- This was attributable to the almost incessant rains which heralded the spring, and which were-fol-lowed toy, continuous drying winds, resulting in the ground being parched and hardened to a. serious extent. FINANCIAL ASPECT. „ “For many years,” sold Mr Grounds, “the dairying industry has been making steady progress, and each year, an increase in production figures has been recorded, -this toeing the first setback we have experienced. It is difficult to anticipate the result oi this heavy shortage, for the position will be governed largely by the prices ■ received on the Home market. The question will toe determined early in the New Year, when our rival conipetitors come forward, and their piospects are ascertained. “The financial aspect, however, will be a -big consideration, for if there is a heavy shortage at' the end of the season, the income of the -Dominion will be seriously affected. With dairy exports valued at £20,000,0Q0, a decline of 15 per cent, or 20 per cent, would mean- a great deal. Of course, I cannot say that the shortage will be sq great; for the New Zealand climate lias its compensations, and the autumn might 'bring .prolific rains sufficient to make up at least some of" the leeway.

PREPARED FOR INCREASE. “But when we get to within a month ef the -middle of the season and the figures are low, the indications are not healthy. I hope there will no|t he a 20 per cent, drop, but upless the country gets rain, soon—and with a reasonably - good season henceforth—l estimate that there will be a 10 per cent, decrease in produc 'id on figures when the season ends. “In most districts preparations, have been made for an increase commen-surate-.with the progress of recent years, and these have been hard hit. “The people are recognising more than ever the important part which flic dairying industry plays in the development and progress of the country. There were- many_ cries when hutter-fat rose to 2s 6d per lb, but later when the price fell to about Is, and farmers did not have money to spend, the -people realised that this commodity must remain ait a reasonably high figure to ensure stability.”