NATIONAL DAIRY ASSOCIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 June 1918, Page 2

NATIONAL DAIRY ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL REPORT. AN EVEKTFUL YEAR. Tlio twenty-fourth annual report of the National Dairy Association shows that the exports of dairy produce for the year ended March SI were worth nearly £7,000,000, made up as under:— Butter 2,507.540 Cheese ....... „ 4,401,957 £0,909,503 During the past year, from May 1, i 917, to April 30, 1918, 42 steamers were loaded with dairy produce, as compared with 53 for the corresponding period of last year. It is well to note that a record shipment of butter for one steamer was made in the s.s. on April 11, 1918, of 113,509 "boxes. Thia is certainly a record for the Dominion, and probably the heaviest shipment made in any steamer in the past. The e.s. ' on March 23, 191S, shipped a large consignment of cheese —-viz., 46,408 cases.' Tho heavy "hold-over" of butter and cheese at the end of last season was a eause of grave anxiety, not only from the point of view of the want of transport accommodation, but from the need of additional cool storage for cheess. In regard to butter the position was not relieved till the end of October, 1917; on the other hand, cheese which had been purchased by the Imperial Government up to July 31, 1917, was not shipped finally until November.

SALES TO IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT. Reviewing the negotiations for the sale of butter and cheese to the Imperial Government, the report states that in view of the sale of the Canadian cheese output to the Imperial Government at 23 cents, or lljd per pound, the New Zealand producer is entitled to advance the price of next season's New Zealand cheese <by 5-Bd, as compared with the price paid for 1017-18. With respect to butter, although the Imperial Government made an undertaking to equally divide the profits received over and above 157s per cwt., with the New Zealand exporters, the report states:— "There is a great deal of douht existing, when consideration is given to possible losses and charges, whether any profit will be available or not. This (1573-) was far below the real market value, and the payment on this basis to butter suppliers will compare very favorably with that paid to cheese suppliers. The [policy of the Imperial Government to control local prices of butter and the acceptance of the Commonwealth of 151s for Australian butter were factors in determining the figure at which New Zealand butter was secured. As to the future disposal of next season's output, it ;s impossible to forecast a value. If the local market prices are maintained, which manufacturers have agreed to do, then such are entitled to a considerable advance this year on the butter exported as compared with that received during 1917-18." During 1917 the only exports to countries other than the United Kingdom were 3749 boxes to Australia. The working arrangement come to with Australian producers at the Sydney Conference was to the effect that a minimum of 175s per cwt was fixed as the selling price for the 1918-19 butter output. The largest butter exporting port jn the Dominion was Auckland with 505,5G4 boxes, and tho largest cheese exporting port 'Wellington,, with 107,384 crates. Total exports for the Dominion were 577,790 crates of cheese and 819,707 boxes of butter

QUANTITY MORE THAN QUALITY. In referring to the conditions of the past season it has to be borno in mind that many keen observers of climatic conditions affirm "that the spring and summer of 1917-18 is the best the Dominion has ever experienced " If abundance of feed for stock, absence of any serious drought, and generally a plentiful supply of rain in most districts constitute the "best season," thc-n the assertion is perhaps correct In considering a question of this character the price of stock and the selling values of commodities does not influence, or should not influence, our judgment as to a definite decision. Speaking from a dairying standpoint, the season has been more conducive to quantity than quality, The season began fairly early, the dairy herds were in good condition, and the prospects for an exceptionally long and profitable year were in evidence Unfortunately, in some of the dairying districts during November and December little or no rain fell, with the result that heavy lands caked, and the grass did not respond. Then, from the beginning of 1018 rain has been constant and plentiful, consequently tho latter part of tho summer has been a perennial spring, and winter pastures are assured. Pastures that remain throughout a season springlike iu growth are frequently "washy" and wanting in body," witih the result that the fattening qualities are not of the best, and, while milk may bo abundant, the fat content is reduced. In this resipect the season has not been good, but in other directions, such as output, there has been a considerable increase-