DAIRY PRODUCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 139, 7 December 1911, Page 8

DAIRY PRODUCE.

BUTTER PROSPECTS. RESERVES HELD FOR WINTER MONTHS. Discussing the possibilities of butter and cheese production for the season ■with a Wellington Times reporter during the week, a representative of a wellknown wholesale firm who makes frequent visits to the dairying centres of both Islands expressed the opinion that although the prospects are far more encouraging now than they were a month or two ago. the aggregate output will show a decided decrease in butter, especially in the Xorth Island, mainly owing to the fact that many dairy factories are now turning their attention to the manufacture of cheese. With regard to prices, it was mentioned that at the present time his firm are offering one shilling per pound for stated monthly consignments up to the end of March, but so far none had been secured, because of the reluctanoe of factory owners to take the risk of guaranteeing regular supplies at the fall of the year. Another reason why dairy companies are not inclined to enter into additional contracts with local buyers is to be found in their decision to hold the surplus output over from existing contracts in view of a possible repetition of last winter's shortage. In reply to a question as to whether he thought retail prices would reach the figures of last winter, the man in the trade said that as far as can possibly be ascertained at present there Is not the slightest reason to fear that retail prices will 4>e abnormally high this •winter. With the large quantities of butter that are being reserved for local trade which will be available during the off season, he does not anticipate that prices will go bevond Is 3d at the Tery outside, and probably most of the butter will reach the consumer at slightly lower figures. With regard to cheese, it is confidently expected that there will be a largely increased output in both Islands, particularly in the South.