3S6 Journal of AgricuUare, Viciuria. [10 July, 1!»11». 



different from what it was during the last four years. At times, the 

 price per pound would have been a little higher, and on other occasions 

 it would have been lower. The attention concentrated on daii'v products 

 has had a most disheartening effect on most people engaged in dairying. 

 This cause alone was sufficient, in some instances, to bring about its 

 abandonment, and the diversion of land to the raising of meat and wool. 



Prior to the era of price-fixing and controlling, the pi-ico of buttier 

 and cheese during the export season was determined by its value for 

 export, and during the rest of the year it was regulated by the law of 

 supply and demand. Usually no shortage was experienced in the oft" 

 export season ; producers were content to do all they possibly could to 

 meet the demand, and although dairying at this season seldom paid as 

 well as operations in the spring months, the slightly higher prices ruling 

 were considered sufBcient inducement to continue the work during the 

 late autumn and winter months. The fixing of prices at, approximately, 

 the same level the year round, has resulted in the concentration of effort 

 on the part of dairymen towards production during the spring and 

 summer months only, and carelessness in the winter time. Every effort 

 is now made to bring an unduly large percentage of the herd into profit 

 in the early spring. Sufficient fodder is not provided for the slack 

 period, and cows are permitted to go dry, though with a little trouble 

 they might have been kept in full yield. Now that the war is over, it 

 is to be hoped that dairymen will be allowed to carry on and develop 

 the industry without the spe'cial restrictions of the recent few years. 



Dairymen can, of course, do a great deal to help towards improving 

 their own position. Numerous object-lessons may be found in every 

 district. Many are getting good returns from their herds, and making 

 a profit. Naturally, a little observation is necessary on the part of 

 those not so fortunately circumstanced to ascertain the reason and take 

 steps to achieve similar results. The successful man, in the first place, 

 makes sure that only good dairy cows which are well bred from a 

 dairying point of view are kept, and that any animal not reaching a 

 profitable standard is discHrded. He sees tihat a plentiful supply of food 

 is provided for his herd, and that any surplus is preserved for ns(^ in 

 less abundant periods. 



Seasons may be quoted to show what an inipovtant ])art food supply 

 ])lays in production. In 1911, early summer rains fell, and were con- 

 tinued so as to provide a second spring; the result was a record produc- 

 tion in butter, with a surplus for export amounting to over 25,000 tons. 

 without any increase in the number of cows engaged in dairying. \Vc 

 have had a similar lesson recently, when a good general rain st(>p])(.'(l rlir 

 necessitv for withdrawinu' ix'serves put bv in cool store for the Wiurcr 

 Pool. 



Another illustration niay be used from an imported source. In a 

 despatch recently received from the Agent-General, lie says: — 



"Our Copenhagen coiu-i'spoudent, writing under date i-'l^'th 

 January, writes: — 'It is reported from agricultural circles that- 

 there is again a shrinkage in the production of milk and buft^'r. 

 The Co-operative Association })a])er brings the news, on best autho- 

 rity, that an offer of .")0,000 tons oil-cakes has been recMved from 

 AmtM'ica, but in anv (•i\<v it will \i\kv two inoiulis to bring them here. 



