PIG PRODUCTION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 10, 30 September 1942, Page 6

PIG PRODUCTION

NEED FOR INCREASE

ARMED FORCES DEMAND

Increased consumption of pigmeats by the Armed Forces provides a new nutlet for local supplies, and there is an urgent necessitj' for an immediate increase in production of bacon pigs. Stocks in store at the present lime are low, but are likely to be sufficient to. meet, the demand for local supplies of bacon during the next few monthsIncreased Weights By increasing the weight of pigs to ISOlbs, -producers have been grven an opportunity of increasing the yield of pig-meat from existing animals, and a real effort should be made to carry pigs to as heavy weights as possible. Fanners usually catering for the pork trade should now turn their attention to bacon production. While this may be difficult to producers who have set their programmes for pork supply, a real war effort is necessary. The advice given to famcrs should be to sclect young sows now, with the idea of mating them in February and March, and in the meantime take advantage of the extra weight limit for bacon pigs. In an additional 201b were put on every bacon pig slaughtered we would just about reach the required tonnage. Feed Supplies Full use should be made of existing feed supplies, and not one gallon of dairy by-pro duet should he was led. The feed barley position and other i'eedstu is very favourable to increased production. Stocks on hand at the moment amount, to bushels of Australian barley. The first shipment of 100,000 bushels is already on Ihe way to New Zealand. This wiii be. available in 10-sack lots at 4,per bushel, ex' wharf main ports. In addition to this, a drive is being made to grow 6.000 acres of feed barley in the Xorth island. Holdings of maize amount to 10.1,000 bushels. wiMi the prospect of .10,000 acres, .100,000 bushels, being grown this season. The stage is set for increased production. Supplemen!aiy Feed The must urgent requirement now is supplementary crops to provide the bulk feed for Lhe late summer and autumn litters. This is essential if we are to avoid, selling pig£ at unsatisfactory prices and weights in the autumn. It must be emphasised that pig production is urgentb* needed, and every effort should be made to carry these late litters to favourable bacon weights. This means winter feed supply—ayiple provision has been made for grain feed. The obligation of pig produce's is to see that the necessary bulk 'eed is grown.