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DAIRY DIVISION REPORT OF H. A. FOY, DIRECTOR The Season Practically all districts of the Dominion in which dairying is an important feature of primary production have been favoured with exceedingly favourable climatic conditions. North Auckland, which now produces almost one-fifth of the Dominion's butter, has experienced two very good years, compensating in some degree for the disastrously dry season of 1945-46. South Auckland has been favoured with ample rain and sunshine and little cold weather until recent weeks. Conditions have been similar in Taranaki, Manawatu, and Hawkes Bay; and the Wairarapa, although somewhat short of rainfall in the new year, has since recovered after beneficial rains. Canterbury has suffered somewhat from dry conditions, which, although not so detrimental to other forms of agriculture common to that area, are not at all conducive to butterfatproduction. The Southland area, which is the main cheese-producing district of the South Island, has enjoyed favourable climatic conditions for dairying. The effect on dairy production has been marked and in the season 1948-49 almost record figures for butterfat output will be reached. Though precise figures are not available, there is evidence of a continuing upward trend in numbers of cows in milk. The increases are not large, but the trend does indicate confidence in the dairy industry and augurs well. Export Values The total value, for Customs purposes, of all dairy-produce exported during the year ended 31st December, 1948, was £47,839,484, an increase of £5,304,391 over the 1947 valuation of £42,535,093. The products included in this trade are butter, cheese, casein, dried milk, sugar of milk, and condensed milk and cream. Butter exported during the year was valued at £33,758,188 and cheese at £11,197,024, the values for the previous calender year being £28,835,878 and £11,621,068 respectively. The quantities represented in the foregoing valuations are actual shipments and therefore, for various reasons, should not be related to the grading statistics included elsewhere in this report. Dairy-produce Grading Following are ten-year tables relating to the grading of butter and cheese by the Dairy Division :

Butter and Cheese Graded for Export

Creamery Butter. Cheese. Total Butterfat Equivalent. Year ended 31st March, Increase Increase Increase Tons. or Decrease. Tons. or Decrease. Tons. or Decrease, ! Per Cent. ! 1 Per Cent. Per Cent. 1949 138,469 +4-30 90,440 | +6-05 | 150,857 +4-71 1948 132,758 + 1145 85,274 -1-55 144,072 +8-13 1947 119,113 + 10-71 86,624 -4-30 133,231 +6-45 1946 107,582 -10-18 90,523 -3-84 125,151 -8-47 1945 119,781 +26-12 94,140 + 10-62 136,735 +21-52 1944 94,972 -14-08 85,100 j -22-60 112,516 -16-80 1943 110,542 +0-76 109,955 -25-87 135,238 -9-59 1942 109,707 -20-92 148,331 +29-71 149,592 -6-77 1941 138,745 + 12-48 114,355 +32-22 160,466 + 17-37 1940 123,349 -4-58. 86,486 +2-67 136,707 -2-88