DAIRYING YEAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 June 1922, Page 8

DAIRYING YEAR.

INCREASED PRODUCTION. A DIFFICULT PERIOD. The National Dairy Association’s annual report states that the volume and value of the export of butter and cheese for the twelve months ended March 31 last as compared with those of the corresponding period of last year were as follow : BUTTER. cwts. £ 1922 -..-.3. ...j 889,634 8,885,820 1921 476,730 6,114,464 Increase 412,904 2,771,356 CHEESE. 1922 1,396,844 7,615,254 1921 1.3J8.23 1,208,263 6,514,519 Increase 188,581 1,100,735 The total exports of butter and cheese combined this season, amounted .to £16,501,074. Thees figures relate to exports, and do not include the local consumptive demand for butter and cheese, for a population of nearly a million and a quarter. Shipments of produce to London during the season May 11, 1921, to April 27, 1922, were 1,539,175 boxes butter and 796,874 crates cheese; in addition there were shipped to the West Coast ports of Great Britain, i.e., Bristol, Manchester, Liverpool, and Glasgow, 52,805 boxes of butter and 113,036 crates cheese—a total export to Great Britain of 1,591,980 boxes of butter and 909,910 crates of cheese. “The climatic conditions for the production of dairy produce (adds the report) were excellent for the whole of the season, with, perhaps, the exception of the West Coast of the North Island, where, in the latter end of summer, there was a lack of rain. Whilst climatic conditions were responsible for a large increase, it is undoubtedly true that there has been an increase in the number of cows being milked. Lower prices for butter and cheese have tended to encourage the ordinary dairyman to increase his herd, and numbers of meat and wool producers have turned their attention to dairying.” In reference to the quality of produce, the report says:— “Many complaints were received regarding the late shipments of cheese for the 1920-21 season. This cheese was held in store for a considerable time, but as, generally speaking, our cool stores are well handled, we cannot think that the delay in shipping was accountable for the trouble. The officers of the Dairy Division have given very careful attention to this question, especially as to the way the cheese is handled in curing-rooms, length of time retained on the shelves, etc., and we are pleased to report that 1921-22 season cheese is arriving in London in good condition. The quality of New Zealand butter has never been better, and we expected to find the average grades on a higher level than previous years.”

In submitting the report, the directors remark: “We have passed through the most difficult year in the history of the association, and we express the opinion that it will be received with at least reasonable satisfaction. The profit and loss account shows a debit balance of £16,290 10s lid. Practically the whole of this loss has been made on two lines of goods, viz., benzine and canvas for horse and cow rugs, very large stocks of which Tvere held at the close of last financial year. Stocks of goods on hand have been taken in at prices which ba the estimation of your executive will guard against any future loss as far as this is humanly possible.”