BOOSTING PRODUCTION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 81, 30 October 1939, Page 7

BOOSTING PRODUCTION

USE CF IMPORTED MEALS

FODDER QUESTION IS ALL-IMPO RT AN T The question of increasing pig production was discussed by the Auckland Executive of the Farmeis' Union at its recent meeting and some doubt was expressed by several members as to whether the Government fully grasped the oosition. "Let ns face Facts," said Mr Scott Davidson (Taipuha) . "If supplies of pig feed are not available thousands of this year's young pigs will never come io maturity. They will be disposed of before they are of baconer weight. So'will unprofitable sows, from which only small litters can be obtained. It is no use talking about planting, root crops for the feeding of this season's pigs, rr current production is to be. maintained in such a way thai larger numbers of' baconer pigs wi'l be available, it will be necessary to oblain supplies of grain immediately. If these are not forthcoming, then there is every prospect of a inte i a nig exports, for ■.Dritain does not want any v;u cases under 10 libs weight.'' . . The union l as been in correspondence with the Government i'm* some time past in regard, to the possibility ci' importing cassava and soya bean meal and copra cake m ordoif ((,• increase pig production. So lar the Government had refused .to Sanction sueli imports, on the ground that therr* is a danger of anthrax germs coming in with them. It was pointed out during f he discussion that" cassava meal is the waste mate* rinl of tapioca, yet there is no prohibition of tapioca on account of anthrax. The view was taken by the meeting ihat the importation of cheap nig feed was highly desirable in any .• venL, but that the. war made it ssrntiai; that tins step should be taken in order to provide feed that ..as not likely to be made available : n any other way. The matter is to 'k* followed up further by the union.