A QUESTION FOR DAIRYMEN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 42, 10 July 1914, Page 4

A QUESTION FOR DAIRYMEN.

The publication of the annual report of the Midhirst Dairy Co. is an indication that the round of annual meetings of dairy companies is almost upon us. At the conclusion of an unusually good season there is a likelihood of an absence of a very necessary introspection by the farmers themselves, who, well satisfied with the financial returns from their farms, may not feel disposed to consider better methods of production with the same keenness as would be the case at the end of a disastrous year. This is all the more likely from the fact that many will be bursting with the prospects of the new marketing scheme promulgated by the National Dairy Association. But, whatever may be said of this proposal, there remains the incontrovertible fact that our dairy produce is not as good as it might be, and'that the land is not producing up to its fullcat capacity. The output from this province does not reflect satisfactorily the increased area brought into productive occupation, the gTeater use of manures and more adequate provision pf winter Jeed, or t-lm adoption of herdtesting and the more general use of better bulls. There is a screw loose somewhere, and it is the business of the dairy farmers to locate it and remedy matters. They must not allow any such matter to overshadow better methods on the part of the primary producer, particularly as there is every prospect of a big Continental market for our produce being opened as the result of the German shipping competition. Whilst on this subject we would commend to the attention of dairymen the excellent article printed in another part of this issue regarding the value of the purebred sire in dairying herds. It is from the pen of Mr. B. Griffiths, a shrewd and successful breeder of pedigree stock. The arguments and figures he brings forward in support of his case prove conclusively that no dairyman, however limited in means he may be, can afford, on good or indifferent country, to be without the services of a pedigree sire. The article is as illuminating as it is interesting and should do no little good. Following it is a thoughtful letter on the payment of milk on grade by Mr. 11. A. Hunt, of Waiongona, who puts forth arguments that merit the careful consideration of factories contemplating' a change in the method of payment for butter-fat. We need not add that we are pleased at any time to publish letters relating to the dairying industry, especially valuable ones like those appearing in to-day's issue.