OF THE 



0f ligrictiltiire. 



Vol. I.] December 1894. ^ [No. 2. 



L_ CO-OPERATIVE DAIRYING IN NEW ZEALAND. 



The report for the year ending 31st March 189''4 of the New 

 Zealand Department of Agriculture contains a memorandum by 

 the chief dairy instructor relating to the progress of co- 

 operative dairying in the Colony. It seems that the efforts of 

 the Department to foster, develop, and extend the success of 

 the dairy industry have had a most satisfactory result, and at 

 no time in the history of the Colony has such a general feeling 

 of direct interest in, and sympathy with, dairying prevailed. 

 Farmers are beginning to recognise that, as a branch of their 

 operations, dairy-farming possesses capabilities of serving them 

 well, and, as a result, they are taking a far greater interest in its 

 development. Cheese and butter factories, and creameries have 

 been, and are being, established in considerable numbers. On 

 the 1st May last the dairy industry was represented in New 

 Zealand by 178 factories and creameries, and at that date, it 

 was expected that the number would be increased during the 

 ensuing season by an addition of at least 30 similar establish- 

 ments, erected and equipped in time to commence manufacturing 

 operations not later than the autumn of this year. The factories 

 and creameries run by co-operative dairy companies are stated 

 to have given better satisfaction during the past year 'than at 

 any previous time. In nearly every one of them the business 

 is largely on the increase, and in many of them the annual output 

 of produce has been almost doubled. It is estimated that the 

 factories and creameries already in operation annually produce 

 8,167,500 lbs. of cheese and 6,722,303 lbs. of butter, valued at 

 144,632^. and 252,086^. respectively. 



A few 3^ears ago, private dairying was, it appears, the only 

 way for settlers in New Zealand to dispose of their milk, either 

 in its raw state or by its conversion into butter and cheese. 



O 84193. Wt. 17789. A 



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