RECORO BUTTER OUTPUT.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 May 1922, Page 7

RECORO BUTTER OUTPUT.

PRODUCTION IN AUCKLAND. INCREASE OF 284,971 BOXES. A striking record in butter production in the Auckland “district this season was assured fairly early in the season. The receipts at the Farmers’ Freezing Company’s grading stores during the first three months of the season indicated that with favorable weather conditions prevailing the previous season’s fine record would be eclipsed, and many interested in the dairying industry predicted that an output of 1,000,000 boxes would be recorded. These predictions have been more than fulfilled. The receipts at the grading stores to the end of April totalled boxes, compared with 741,536 for the corresponding period of last season, an increase of 284,971 box<es. In view of the fact that production is being maintained to a remarkable degree, it is safe to assume that last season’s record will be exceeded by approximately 400,000 boxes, which would have represented the total return for a normal season a few years ago. Last season’s record output or 741,536 boxes to the end of April was largely due to the fact that the record price of 2s 6d per lb. was being paid for all butter produced in the Dominion to the epd of March. This season, without the inducement of exceptionally high price, in fact, with a depressed market during most of the season, the butter producers have er-Hpaed their efforts of last season in a remarkable manner. During last month 82,189 boxes were received at the grading stores, compared with 34,620 received during April, 1921, an increase of 47,569 boxes. These figures indicate that a high rate of production is being continued during the late months of the season, and that the loss on revenue due to reduced prices will be largely compensated for by increased production right to the end of the season. The value of the butter received for export to the end of March last season was approximately £4,930/K)0, the price paid by the Imperial authorities under the requisition being 2s 6d per lb. Owing to the variation in the price of butter on the London market this season, it is difficult to estimate the average value of the butter exported this season.- Assessing the s vahie at £4 a box, or rather less than Is fid per lb., the total quantity produced this Reason to the end of April would be £4,106,028.

The quantity of cheese received at the grading stores this season to the end of April totalled 133.401 crates, compared with 152,289 received during the corresponding period of last season, a decrease of 18,888 crates. Last month 17,709 crates were received, . compared with 6903 during April, 1921, an increase for April of this season of 10,866 crates.