A DAIRY PROBLEM.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 April 1921, Page 8

A DAIRY PROBLEM.

RATIO OF SOLIDS IN MILK. PROPOSAL BY FRIESIAN BREEDERS. The question of the ratio of solids in milk used in the manufacture of cheese, and a proposal that the Government be urged to conduct semi-official tests for solids in milk in addition to the present butterfat tests, was discussed by the members of the Taranaki branch of the New Zealand Friesian Association, at the annual meeting of the branch held at Stratford yesterday. Mr. C. A. Marchant, president of the branch, occupied the dhair, and in introducing Mr. Masters stated that the Government was lagging behind the times in not conducting tests of milk for solids as well as the tests conducted for butterfat. He pointed out that there were two solids in milk —milk solids and butter-fat —and 'both were necessary fo. the manufacture of cheese. He wished to 'bring the matter before Mr. Masters with a view to enlisting his help in inducing the Government to test for solids 'he well as butter-fat, and desired to point out that the ratio of solids was lower in high-testing milk than in lowtesting milk. According to Government statistics the average quantity of butterfat produced by a dairy cow in New Zealand during the season was 1601bs, and dairy experts throughout the world were agreed that the solids which were not fat varied very little. If they took the Friesian breed as having an average test of 3.4, according to the returns of the Agricultural Department, a Friesian cow would require to produce 47061-bs of milk -to give 1601bs of butter-fat, and a Jersey cow with an average test of 5.3 would have to yield 30181bs of milk to produce the same amount of fat. In testing for solids it would be found that the Friesian or low-testing cow yielded 1141bs more of solids than the high-testing cow. If they were to take for examples two of - the outstanding cows of the two breeds—Sultan s Daisy (Jersey) and Burkerje Sylvia Posch (Friesian) they would find that the Friesian produced almost twice as much milk as the Jersey cow, and that while the Friesian had the low test of 3.8 and the Jersey the high test of 7.2, on the table of solids they found that the Friesiai/ produced HOOlbs more cheese, or nearly half a ton more than the Jersey cow. Considering the high price of cheese, he felt that an injustice was being done to the suppliers of low-testing milk; hence the necessity for urging the Government to institute a system of testing for solids.

Mr. Marchant added that lie had carefully analysed the balance-sheets of several Taranaki dairy factories and he found that the manufacture of cheese per lb of butterfat was always lower with high-testing milk, owing to the amount of fat lost with the latter. Experiments had shown that on a mean average lib in 20 of fat was lost in the manufacture of cheese, where there was a fairly high average test. Mr. Masters said he was pleased to have the opportunity of discussing the matter with them, and while not a farmer himself he was intensely interested in the welfare of the province, and if he could do anything in the interests of the producers he would be willing to assist them. He wished to make his position quite clear. In helping them he did so as member for the district, and naturally would act for any association which desired similar representations made, not holding k brief for any individual breed. He had read the report of the discussion on Mr. Connett’s motion in favor of fixing a standard butterfat content in cheese, -in the minutes of the annual conference of the National Dairy Association, and had noticed that the leading dairymen held divergent vfews on the question. The position was that dairy farmers with low-testing cows appeared to be suffering an injustice in regard to. the manufacture of cheese. He would be only too pleased to co-operate with them. Mr. Marchant out a good case, and he would be glad to discuss the matter thoroughly with a sub-committee of their members, in order to right any wrong that may exist.

Mr. H. E. Johnson said that the Hawera Dairy Company had five branches, and the branch with the lowest test invariably gave about 2 per cent, higher yield of cheese than the others. Judging from this, it appeared as though the suppliers were not being paid correctly, the indications being that with the present system of paying by fat those with low-testing herds were not getting a fair deal. The general manager of the Hawera Dairy Company had personally admitted to him that the present sys/em of paying suppliers was pot the correct system. Mr. Henry Johnson said that it appeared that the present system of paying out was altogether wrong, and it was the duty of the Government to hold demonstrations to prove which system was right. Sir. Harold Marchant remarked that investigations had been made by various daily factories, and also by the division, but what they now wanted was to see that these efforts were 'coordinated so as to give unbiassed and reliable information. The greatest dairy authorities were agreed on this matter, and the Government should do its best to put the dairy industry on a sound footing. Mr. Masters said that what impressed him in reading the report of the discussion at tlie New Zealand Dairy Association conference was that Mr. Connett, who represented a Jersey district, and Mr. Harkness, who was himself a Jersey breeder, had urged that the Government should test for solids. He asked what representations were being made up to the present to induce the Government to conduct the tests, and the chairman replied that as yet no action had been taken.

The chairman said that the branch had a resolution standing on its books asking the Government to establish a laboratory for the purpose of making experiments in connection with the manufacture of cheese. He thought that Taranaki was /best suited for cheese manufacture, and as yet they had only scratched the surface as regards knowing w'liat they could do, and a laboratory was wanted to enable them to gain greater knowledge. Mr. Masters agreed that a laboratory was a necessary "institution for Tara-

naki. Mr, H. Marchant said he had been privileged to see the books of a certain factory manager, and these had shown that as the' test went up the yield went down.

Mr. H. E. Johnson thought this applied to practically all the cheese factories in Taranaki. Mr. Masters said he understood that what they wanted was that their views be put to an official test, in order that they could be substantiated or otherwise. He suggested that the branch appoint two or three local men to discuss the matter further with him, .with

a view to going into it fully. Messrs. C. A. Marchant, Henry Johnson and C. Mayhead were appointed a i sub-committee to deal with the matter.

The chairman referred to the increase in the amount of the fees Charged by the Government for conducting semi-official tests. He said the fees had recently been increased from three guineas to five guineas, and some of the beginners found the increase rather hard on them He thought that possibly the Government had increased the* fees certain members oy Parliament had complained about the amount being expended on t'he dairy division.

Mr. Masters said he had never heard critioisity in the House from any member regarding the amount of money spent on the dairy division, and he did not think that would be the reason for increasing the fees. If, however, the association would place their views on the matter before him fie would be ple -.ged to mako representations on their behalf to the proper quarter.