INCREASED PRODUCTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 August 1922, Page 7

INCREASED PRODUCTION.

JOLL DAIRY CO.’S INTERESTING FIGURES. Tn common with other co-operative dairy companies, the above company has experienced a record supply during the past season. As increased production has been prominently to the fore lately, the following figures showing the edmpariy’s supply during the past two seasons as compared with the season 1913-14 may be of interest: Milk received: 1921-22, 63,185,6341 b; 1920-21, 53,026,9641 b; 1913-14, 43,9’63,6S6lb. Butterfat: 1921-22, 2,475.9011 b; 1920-21, 2,071,8961 b; 1913-14, 1.597,066 lb. Average test: 1921-22, 3.918 per eent.; 1920-21, 3.907 per cent.; 1913-14. 3.63 per cent. Cheese made: 19*21-22, *2092 tons; 1920-21, 1924 tons; 1913-14, 1783 tons. Butter made: 1921-22, 146 tons; .1920-21, 229 tons; 1913-14, 56 tons- Cost per lb butter-fat for manufacture to f.o.b. ocean steamer: 1921-22, 4.39 d; 19*20-21. 4.98 d; 1913-14, 2.62 d. The increase in supply during the past year, as compared with the previous year works out at slightly over 19 per cent., while, as compared with the supply in 1913-14, th© increase totals over 43 per cent. The company has eight cheese factories and one butter factory, the same number as when it first commenced operations in 1908, the business having been taken over from the late Mr- T. L, Joll as a going concern. The increase in butter-fat shows a larger increase than milk, due to the increase in test, the figures for the nine years from 1914 to the end of the present year being as follows: 3.63, W, 3.69, 3.77, 3.75, 3.78, 3.86,. 3.90, arid 3.91.

The rise in test is probably due to two factors—first, the fact that cow testing was inaugurated in 1914 and has been continued ever since; and, secondly, the more intensive system of farming due to the increased value of land forcing the holdings to become smaller. A better appreciation of the value of top-dressing of pastures has also, no doubt, contributed to the increase in test and butterfat.

The supply for the coming season promises to be well maintained, and the capacity of the factories will be tested to the utmost. A new clieese-making room, built in concrete, is rapidly approaching completion at Okaiawa. The changed conditions of the present time as compared with pre-war days are also responsible for a considerable increase in the cost of manufacture. A glance at the figures will show that the cost of manufacture during the past two years averages over twopence per lb of butterfat more than in 1914. However, the past year has shown a slight decrease in the cost of manufacture as compared with the previous year, and suppliers are hoping that the coming year will show a further decrease in this particular part of the business.

The early completion of the Opunake railway would also be welcomed by shareholders. The majority of the company’s factories being handy to the proposed line of railway, there should he a considerable saving »in cartage when the line is completed-