PIG INDUSTRY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 4, 14 September 1942, Page 5

PIG INDUSTRY

BAY OF PLENTY CLUBS

REPORT FROM COUNCIL

Once again there has been an upheaval in the pig industry. This time a more favourable one for it looks as if the increase asked for is not dependent on shipping or other qualifications.

This time a huge increase in

local orders and local consumption is the factor which makes

a rapid increase in production necessary. So runs a statement to fanners by the Bay of Plenty Pig Council issued recently.

This increased demand is equal to our toial bacon exports for last year, which amounted to approximately 1J ,000 tons says the report and farmers will have noticed an increase in the weight limits to 1201bs for porkers and to ISOlbs for baeoncrs. This is not another whim of the buyers as has been suggested,, but simply an avenue and by far the jaost important one through which we can increase production this year. A simple calculation will show that if 201 bs were added to the million pigs slaughtered in New Zealand last 3'ear, we could increase our output by 10,000 tons and' that is what is expected of all pork and bacon producers. Last year up to the 31st March, pig killings showed a reduction of 1700 tons due firstly to th;c

crisis which had arisen in March 1941 ant! secondly to tlie change to clicc.se which was made the same year. The change bacf.v to butter Avill ! increase production to some extent, but this is likely to be negatived by an increased demand; J'or pork and to a large increase in the sow population, a decrease in which had already taken place owing to last year's change to cheese. If producers had had longer notice, the sow position could; have been met, and of course the store position too, to a lesser extent. What To Do The time had arrived when it was increasingly necessary for farmers to become self supporting as regards grain and root crops; therefore put into operation a supplementary cropping programme. At present our pig production is pegged to the milk supply. Crops Avill assist in putting that extra weight on autumn pigs, as well as wintering sows and stores. Sugar beet, artichokes, guerande carrots, mangolds and turnips, are in that order of palatibility and feed value and don't forget that lib of grain per 1001b pig per day doubles the of the roots.

Advance breeding timetable and have farrowings in May and June, and again in November and December. Good quality breeding stock will be in keen demand for some time to come. Pig clubs should therefore be encouraged: to continue their breeding programme.

Old seasons maize is still available at G/3 on trucks Bay of Plenty stations in 10 sack lots. Barley is 4/5 per bushel in ton lot!s: ex ship. New season's maize will not be available until 30th November. In comparing prices, a bushel of maize is 56lbs and a bushel of barley 501bs. Their feeding value is about the same, lb for lb.