IN 10 YEARS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 05, Issue 89, 10 August 1942, Page 6

IN 10 YEARS

EXPANSION OF P.M.A. D () Ml XT O X" - W! I) K ACTIVITY With a turnover, including that of subsidiaries, nearing £1,000,000. and a record of ten years' vigorous growth behind it, the New Zealand Co-operative Pig Marketing Association, Avhose headquarters are now in Auckland, held its annual meeting in the presence of 240 delegates representing every district in New Zealand. Figures were given showing that in the past ten years paid up capital had expanded from £391 to £17,000, turnover from £49.000 to nearly £1,000,000, and payments to suppliers from £97,000 to over £50,000. while in that period-the association had handled 1.200,000 pigs, 1,000,000 calves and 14,000 cull cattle, valued at about £ 1,000,000. In his address, Mr W. A. Phillips, Chairman of Directors, said G0,7()4 pigs were dealt with during the season, a decrease of only 3392 on the record figure the previous season, which was due to the national decline of 95,000 in the number killed for export. However, the Association handled at least the same share of pigs as previously, and in all respects had had a most successful year. The fact that 85 per cent of pig collections were on consignment denoted tin- growing' confidence of the producer in his own association. Dealing with the industry generally, Mr Phillips said prospects were much better than a year ago, when it faced the possibility of only a local market for baconers and a very limited tonnage for export porkers. Stocks of bacon pigs in the freezers were probably no more than sufficient to cover local curing requirements until next season's production commences, and owing to expected increases in local consumption should be no surplus problem with baconers. With the switch back to butter it was hoped that other farm problems could be overcome and the industry would see increased production this season. Bobby Calf Collections "Sixtj'-thrce bobby calf pools entrusted the association with the marketing and administration of their calves, and judged hy comparative payments in areas linked to other organisations, our results were highly satisfactory," Mr Phillips continued. "Our knowledge of the industry and strength in the collective marketing of 311,374 calves on behalf of producers enabled us to secure for them nett returns to all the producers, Avhich on the average were in excess of those secured by individual and other grouped pools." "Operations in cull cattle had always been limited by ability to secure adequate works space," ,added the chairman, "and last year the acute shortage of freezing space limited the number of collections. This year, while space was available, the position was restricted by staff available for boning. Collections totalled 5903 head, against 4394 last year, an increase of 1509. Altogether the association handled a total of 424,000 head of. pigs, calves and cull cattle, with an aggregate hooks weight of 24,iHii).0no!bs through out New Zealand." Bacon Factories' Assistance Touching on the finances, Mr Phlillips said gross to uniove r was*£s39,157, and the debit of £259,254 comprised: Bobby calf ami cull cow purchases, plus charges £205,148; killing and freezing charges on pigs £35.299; pig collecting costs £9894; stock insurances £570; administration expenses £8345. Collecting costs on pigs were 2d per pig lower than last year, but when spread over the reduced weight of pig meat handled represented about the same cost per ib. In spite of the. trend toward increased costs, the total amount borne by pig operations showed a slight reduction on last year. "Mie wholehearted support of share holders and suppliers to the trading department, calf and cull cattle activities _,nd the support given the products of the bacon factories had played an important part in reducinn- ro !i no' s OH T)|'? a'.'t !Vl-

ties, and consequent!}'- dircctly increased the final return to suppliers. After deducting all expenses from gross realisations and providing share capital reseiwc 011 pork, £296,873 Avas available for distribution nn pigs, of Avhich £272,905 had been distributed in advance payments-. The surplus oT £23,908 for bonus and final payments Avas approximately the same as last year. Through careful management and control the subsidiary bacon companies had secured returns on baconers above those available if. the association had had to rely on Government export values and pay processing charges. Concluding the chairman analysed balance sheet items, and mentioned that the association's bacon factories had cured this year a record number of 255G pigs on account of individual OAvners. In addition, a considerable volume of bacon and hams -from the factories had been distributed to suppliers. The combined baconcr requirements of the association's three factories Avere about one-quarter of the local market. Combined turnover of these subsidiaries in the last year Avas £3-1-1,000.