'AUSTRALIA WATCHES N.Z.

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 918, 11 March 1930, Page 11

'AUSTRALIA WATCHES N.Z.

DAIRY METHODS BEING STUDIED BIG PRODUCTION INCREASE Tile leaders of the dairy industry throughout Australia are extremely interested in New Zealand methods and conditions. At present many of them are touring New Zealand and the information they are expected to take back with them is awaited by Australians with the greatest interest. These remarks were made this morning on the Marama by Mr. R. A. Colyer, of Colyer, Watson and Company. who returned to Auckland after a comprehensive tour of the Northern Rivers District of New South Wales and other parts of the Commonwealth. “I am perfectly sure that when New Zealand methods of herd testing and culling and the correct methods of top-dressing are introduced into Australia the increased butter production there will give the New Zealand dairying interests something to think about,” he remarked. Mr. Colyer said that the Northern Rivers District of New South Wales was the richest and most attractive dairying district in Australia. It carried dairying stock which was approximately equal to half the dairy herd of the whole of New Zealand. ‘“Top-dressing in the Northern Rivers District is practically unknown,” continued Mr. Colyer. ‘‘At

present the average yield of butterfat a cow does not bear comparison with the New Zealand average. “Australia today consumes about 80,000 tons of her own butter production and it is reliably estimated that this year’s surplus for export will amount to 50,000 tons. The northern rivers are responsible for a large proportion of the total production. “I am quite sure that New Zealanders generally jvvould be amazed if they could see the country and its future possibilities, because in the past farmers seem entirely to have depended on nature, which has been extremely kind. With the application of fertilisers and more careful attention to herd-testing and culling, production in a comparatively short time could quite easily double itself.

“With the prospects of such a big increase in production in both New Zealand and Australia, the foresight of New Zealanders responsible for the formation of the Empire Dairies, Limited, which organisation is marketing both New Zealand and Australian butter, is to be recommended very highly. As a matter of fact the increase in the export surplus of butter from Australia under the Patterson scheme means that the farmer will receive a lower average price for his butter. Under the Patterson scheme the local consumer pays more than export parity for his butter.” During his stay in Australia Mr. Colyer also investigated the skin and hide markets, but he stated that they were most unsatisfactory. Tanners were doing very little business and the overseas market was lifeless. This state of affairs would mos* probably continue until the United States definitely decided on whether a tariff was to be imposed on hides, leather and shoes.