LOWER OUTPUT

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20907, 12 September 1939, Page 11

LOWER OUTPUT

NORFOLK DAIRY COMPANY CHEESE QUALITY IMPROVED SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN COSTS (Times Special Reporter) MORRINSVILLE, Monday “ It is regrettable to report a further drop in the company’s output because of adverse weather conditions and the poor condition of the pastures after the abnormal growth of the previous autumn,” said Mr S. A. Ferguson, chairman of directors of the Norfolk Co-operative Dairy Company, in reviewing the season’s operations at the annual meeting of the company today. Owing to the cows not coming to a full flush of milk, the butter-fat test wis high, having increased from 4.i9 to 4.56 per cent, and the casein content did not increase in proportion to the fat, -this position resulting in a low yield of cheese per pound of fat, and a lower -pay-out,per pound of fat than would have been obtained if normal conditions had existed. There had been a substantial rise in factory costs through increased wages and shorter hours, and also because of increases in transport costs and manufacturing materials. The total increase in costs was .367 d a pound, equal to 12J per cent and an increase of 24 cent over the 193536 season. This cost increase was similar to the experience of other companies. Guaranteed Prices In reviewing the recommendations made by the Guaranteed Price Advisory Committee, Mr Ferguson said that the Government had seen fit to alter the standards set up by the committee without giving any valid reason, and had decided to pay a price about id a pound butter-fat below that recommended by the committee. The various dairy conferences had unanimously endorsed 'the standards set up by the advisory committee in its last report, and had recommended that the same members be again appointed to represent the industry in recommending the price for the present season. The company’s average grade had shown a substantial improvement on the previous season, the weather conditions being more suitable for manufacture. Every effort was % being made to bring about further improvements, as the manufacture of the hignest possible quality article was essential -to obtain the full benefit from the guaranteed price. It was hoped by close co-operation between the suppliers and the manager and staff to bring about the desired result. A comparison of pay-outs per 100 pound of milk among the Norfolk Company and from the larger companies operating in the Waikato was interesting, said Mr Ferguson. The Norfolk Company had paid out 6s BAd a 100 pound of milk received, while of the four other companies two had paid 6s 7d and two 6s 44d a 109 pound of milk received. Election of Directors Messrs H. Mannel and A. J. Freegard were re-elected directors ami Mr A. Turner was made by the chairman, vacancy on the directorate caused by the resignation of Mr T. A. Turner. Reference to the services of Mr T. A. Turne rwas made by the chairman, who said that Mr Turner was one of the company's oldest suppliers and had given loyal support to the company. A resolution expressing the shareholders’ appreciation of Mr Turner’s services was carried unanimously. Mr R. EngJi6n was re-elected auditor.

Improvement In Quality The improvements brought in the quality of the company’s produce was due to no small extent to the care taken by the suppliers, said the company's factory manager, Mr A. H. Meharry, who expressed the opinion that another contributing factor in the improvement experienced was the lower production of last season. It usually followed that quality improved when a heavy producing season was followed by a lower producing season. The universal system of dairy instruction had also tended to improve the quality of the article.