June 1895.] THE DAIRY INDUSTRY IN QUEENSLAND. 



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It seems that at the present time no branch of farming in 

 Queensland offers better prospects than dairying, which it is 

 expected will be considerably developed. Arable farming is not 

 now found to be a profitable undertaking owing to the low 

 prices of cereals. 



In May 189 4;, there were 16 cheese and butter factories and 

 13 creameries in full swing, an increase of eight factories and 

 eight creameries during the year. Of these, only four factories 

 and one creamery were worked on the co-operative factory 

 system. 



The manager of the travelling dairy points out the danger of 

 blending and exporting inferior grades of butter. This, he says, 

 is sure to happen unless some arrangement is made to class and 

 brand the butter before it leaves the colony. A quantity of 

 inferior butter shipped in the infancy of the trade would, he 

 adds, be the ruin of the industry for a number of years. 

 Now that dairying has become one of the most important in- 

 dustries in the colony, and has engaged the attention of farmers 

 and stock- owners everywhere, Mr. Mahon fails to see why 

 immediate steps should not be taken to encourage an export 

 trade. He thinks that an increasing demand at home and an 

 unlimited market abroad must give confidence to those about to 

 enter the business, and although some predict that the export 

 trade is likely to be overdone, Mr. Mahon feels certain that the 

 foreign demand will more than keep pace with the increasing 

 production. 



The evils which at present threaten the dairying industry 

 in Queensland are stated to be : — (1) want of co-operation ; (2) 

 want of attention with regard to the breed of cattle kept for 

 dairying purposes; (3) the defective system of milking; and 

 (4) a most important matter — want of energy in conserving 

 fodder for a time of need. 



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