FARM AND DAIRY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 72, 15 September 1911, Page 8

FARM AND DAIRY

DAIRYING SEASON REVIEWED. Reviewing the past season in regard to dairy produce the New Zealand Loan 11 nil Mercantile Agency Company, London, states Unit as far as butter was i-uiK'iM iii-d Hie season was noteworthy for the reiord .production in Australia—an increase of almost 50 per cent, as com- ' pared with Hie heavy make of 11109-10. ( In New Zealand, supplies were almost ou ■ a pur with those of the preceding season. At ihe opening it was anticipated that the course of the market would he very much on the same lines as that of the, preceding season, and on all sides a high level of prices during January and February was generally looked for. In consci|iicnce extremely high bids were made for Ihe outputs of New Zealand factories, while for the earlier shipments of Australian extreme prices were paid. The prices asked by New Zealand factories, however, were generally above those which speculators were prepared to pay. and but little was sold outright, the bulk of the outputs being shipped on "con-ignment without recourse." . Declining markets were met almost' throughout the season, an attempt to lone up prices at the beginning of the New Year made by certain big speculators proving abortive, owing to the heavy weight of supplies. Toward the dose, with dry weather and a stimulated demand on demand on account of the Coronation festivities, the market took an upward turn, values at the end of dune marking an appreciation of fully (is per cwt. from the lowest point touched, (iennany, France, and Italy made heavy calls upon supplies, but in spite of these there was plenty to meet all requirements and leave a surplus. Had there been any considerable shipments from the Argentine, instead of a very short supply, undoubtedly a much worse state of affairs would have prevailed. Commenting upon the respective values of diffcrciir bulter; the firm states: "The very wide differences in prices between Danish and Australasian butter, especially New Zealand, ha.s occasioned comment amongst producers, and in this connection we would point out that it must be remembered that Danish butter can he placed on the counter within a few days of its manufacture, while in the case of New Zealand seven or eight weeks must elapse before it is available for consumption here. Thus, excellent though it be, the prolonged refrigeration cannot hut hive an adverse effect upon the butter; and for this reason, amongst others, Danish is favored in some markets to the exclusion of New Zealand, or any other box butter, and thus, having the Held to itself, it is in a position to command a premium. We have predrawn a comparison between the selling policy of the Danes and that of some colonial houses, and our remarks should afford food for serious reflection to those in the Dominion and Commonwealth, who advocate placing the whole of the butter production in a few hands, though of course the indiscriminate employment of numerous selling agents, who are also speculators on their own account, is equally to be condemned in the interests of producers and the trade as a whole." It is interesting to note that the firm considers that the quality of New Zealand butter generally was very good, but at times there were many complaints of "fishincss" even as regards some of the best brands. With regard to Australian butter, though the quality was generally good, some brands might with advantage have been kept more uniform, and owing to unseasoned wood being used in the boxes a good deal of butter arrived in a mouldy condition. There were few complaints regarding the quality of New Zealand cheese, and the cheese from Australia also proved of good quality. Touching on the prospects for the coming season the firm remarks:—"We understand that conditions in Australasia are again favorable to a heavy make during the coming season, and while prospects are of course uncertain ais to the future markets, we cannot help but feel that as the drought in France, Ireland and England has created a good consumptive demand, and though the cold stores are at present full, all supplies will be wanted, more particularly as the consumption of butler in nearly all Continental countries is yearly increasing, while during the winter months smaller exports thence (o the United Kingdom may be looked for. Tn these circumstances we feel justified in anticipating that next season will prove satisfactory to factories in _ Australasia." Regarding cheese the opinion is expressed that it is, of course, impvaclieahle at the juncture to give any reliable forecast of the market for New Zealand, hut the .firm can see no reason why healthy markets and profitable prices should not be anticipated.