THE DAIRYING INDUSTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 November 1922, Page 6

THE DAIRYING INDUSTRY.

DANISH METHODS. NEW ZEALAND’S POSITION. Mr. James Boddie, formerly of Eltham, and now a prominent leader of farmers’ co-operative concerns in the Auckland province, 'has just returned from a trip to Europe, and last week spoke at Te Kuiti on his, experiences and impressions at Home and abroad. Referring to Denmark, he said that that country was one of the greatest exporters of farm produce per capita in the world, New Zealand coming second. Denmark had a very* long twilight, and some parts of the country were very like Scotland. All the land was intensely cultivated, and tethering of cattle was universal. Cattle had to be 'housed and hand-fed for -seven months in the year, and it was not uncommon to see men and women working in the fields at 5 a.m. in the summer getting ready the winter feed crops.

Regarding control of the markets, the much advertised Danish Butter Committee had no existence in fact. A committee regulated, but did not control, the market in order to avoid gluts and -slumps. As near as he had been able to find out, land in Denmark was sold at £2OO per acre. Regarding the factory end of the business, he couldn’t see that New Zealanders had anything, to from Denmark. He would say New Zealand butter-makers were quite as good as the Danes. Milking machines were not in general ut*e in Denmark, and there were only about 000 in the whole country. In most cases they were kept as a standby for emergencies THE HOME MARKET. /Tn dealing with the handling of New Zealand primary products, Mr. Boddie stated that anything he had to -say constituted only 'his own views and was given for what it was worth. There was nothing that was giving the producer in New Zealand more anxiety than the beef market. With the assistance of the High Commissioner’s staff, he had the opportunity of witnessing the. whole procedure in connection with the handling of Now Zealand produce. One of the best things the Government ever did .was to establish the Meat Board, and the London representative, Mr. ; Jessop, was a. safe and sound business roan. This country was faced with keen competition in the markets of the world, especially in regard to meat, and every advantage should be taken to market--on the very best terms. The middlemen were the manipulators of the market, and the producers would require to get into closer touch with the consumer. It was imperative that the quality should be uniform and of the best.

NEW ZEALAND MEAT. In comparing the Argentine meat with that of New Zealand, Mr. Boddie said that that country was rapidly improving its herd and gradually working up to this country’s standard. New Zealand beef must, be sent home in much better order if the market was- to be maintained. The fact had to be faced that New Zealand beef producers would have to accept a lower price, and the shipping and other charges would have to bo reduced. The people at Home wanted baby beef. The farmers in England and Scotland received from £2B to £35 for young steers, and New Zealand would have, to change its methods by killing the beasts when they were young. The Home farmer only sends prime young cattle to the markets.

LAMB WANTED. Mr. Boddie stated that New Zealand lamb is wanted at Homo, but the people will not look at fat flabby mutton. His advice was to kill sheep when young and in prime condition. Some lamb he htid. seen in the market was very poor, and this was acting in a very detrimental manner on New Zealand's- reputation. The wool market, stated Mr. Boddie, had a fine outlook. The sheep herds throughout the world had decreased to an enormous extent during the last few years. New Zealand, Australia. the Argentine and South Africa were the only countries that were really wool-producing. Tn travelling through Europe the largest sheep herd the speaker -saw numbered 21. The United States and other countries Wanted all their own wool and more, and the sheep farmer had the prospects of a good tinie ahead of him.

OUR BUTTER THE BEST. Now Zealand butter produce was recognised fi.s being of the highest standard in the world. Through an interpreter, Mr. Boddie had a very interesting conversation with some Daniell experts, who expressed themselves- as being very much concerned at the rapid strides New Zealand was making in butter manufacture,, and asked if New Zealand was likely to progress in that direction at the same ratio as had been done the last few years. It wag explained that there were -still millions of acres to develop in Now Zealand, and that the output per cow was only IGOl.bs butterfat to Denmark’s 3001bs. Mr. Boddie also informed the Danos that the output from Now Zealand must increase, and they were concerned more than over. The parties interested in the dairy in Denmark were in communication with the New Zealand TTieb. Commissioner’s office in London wiu view of regulating shipments to Briiakt by both countries.