DAIRY PRODUCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 December 1921, Page 8

DAIRY PRODUCE.

HIGH QUALITY ESSENTIAL. NECESSARY FOR GOOD PRICES. In conversation with Mr. Brash, secretary of the National Dairy Association, the Wellington Post learned that it was imperative for the dairy farmer to- concentrate all he knew for high quality, to a greater extent, if possible, than ever before. “Quality must tell,” said Mr. Brash. “Until this week Danish butter ruled at 255 s per cwt., but is has now dropped to 2255| to 2365. Even so the price is still at a heavy premium over all other butters.” Discussing the pre-war relative position of Danish and New Zealand butters, it was found that the average for the ten years ended -June 30, 1914, was New Zealand 113 s, Danish 126 s 6d per cwt., but the positions for the years 1910 to 1914 showed the following: Danish premium: 1910 6s 9d, 1911 7s 7d, 1912 6s 6d, 1913 9s lid., 1914 8s lid. Reverting to the present effect of so much poor quality butter on the London market, Mr. Brash said that it was bound to mean the best quality would command the premium, therefore good quality should be maintained and the highest possible aimed at. It was highly satisfactory to state that the quality of both the butter and cheese leaving New Zealand to-day was exceptionally good, in fact it has never been excelled. This was saying much, but it was fully endorsed by the Government graders.

The High Commissioner advised that Australian butter was commanding 178 s to 186 s per cwt., and Argentine butter 180 s to 1945. Evidently Argentine butter must now be recognised as a serious competitor in both quality and quantity. For the eight months ended August 31, 1921, Argentine sent butter equal to 75 per cent, of the quantity that Russia sent to England in 1913. Referring to cheese. Mr. Brash said the market prospects appeared to him to be healthy. The cheese going away was really excellent in quality, and in view of the large quantity of damaged cheese afloat and in England, he thought the buyers would certainly turn their favorable attention to the new season’s New Zealand make. The shipping space allotments already made should by the middle of December clean up all that is now in store of both butter and cheese. Before then, however, further space allotments will have been made.