PROPOSED NEW GRADE FOR CREAMERY BUTTER.

Waikato Argus, Volume VI, Issue 426, 25 April 1899, Page 2

PROPOSED NEW GRADE FOR CREAMERY BUTTER.

The following circular his been received from the Department of Agriculture : It is proposed to create a new grade for creamery butter. At present all butter scoring 86 points and over is called first grade, or highest quality. With the marked improvement which has taken place in New Zealand creamery butter during the past year or two, it is found that there is a very wide diflerence between the quality of the butter which merely passes as first grade and that of tue best butter going through the grading-stores. To place butter which scores only 86 points in the same class as that which scotes 95 or 96 points is hardly fair to the latter, nor is there sufficient reward to the factory which produces it. It is found that many factories and makers are quite satisfied with their efforts if they succeed in getting first grade, but it is believed that the fixing of a higher grade will be a spur to further improvement. The proposed change would not interfere with the present grades or standards, except that what is now first grade would be divided and all scoring 94 points and over would be called " choicest." The grades and standards for same will then be as follows : For choiiest ... 94 points and over For first grade ... 86 to 93 points For second grade 75 to 85 points For third grade .. 74 points or less It will be noted that there is no change intended for the second or third grades—that is to say, there will be no more secoad or third-grade butter under the proposed grades than there is at present. As this is a question of policy rather than oue of administration, it is only right that the representatives of the dairy industry throughout the colony should have some voice in determining whether or not this proposed change should go into effect. With this end in view the enclosed form is sent to all buUer-faotoriea and firms that export butter, with the request that the matter be considered at the earliest possible date. [The form enclosed asks for an answer as to approval, and, if not approved, the reason why].