PIG INDUSTRY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 51, 26 February 1943, Page 3

PIG INDUSTRY

SHORTAGE OF FEED

EFFECT OF DRY WEATHER

Matters affecting the pig industry was discussed at the monthly meeting of the Auckland Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union on February 17.

The effect of the recent dry weather on the industry in North Auckland Avas indicated in a telegram that had been sent by the Provinr cial Secretary (Mr A.. E. Robinson) to the Minister of Agriculture.. It was stated that in some: districts store pigs and. wcancrs were unsaleable and that there was no prospect of sufficient milk being available. P'ig meal was understood to be. essential, and a drastic reduction in the prices of all pig foods was. suggested-

In another letter sent to the Dominion Secretary (Mr A. P. O'Sliea) it was. stated that the attention of the Minister of Agriculture be drawn to the serious effects on the pig industry caused by the Government's refusal to agree to an increase, in the price of pig meats to meet increased costs of production. The Government's action had led to a reduction in the price.

Mr J. W. Jones (Pakaraka) said that in his portion of North Auckland the. cream yield, owing to the dry weather, was only half of that of the same month last year. Linseed bran, the present cheapest food, cost £9 6s a ton, to which £2, and in same cases £3 a ton bad to be added for freight, while maize, cost 7s 6d a bushel in Auckland.

Mr Scott Davidson (Whangarei) jjai'd that .it Avas only at this time of the year that pig farmers" could make a profit in any circumstances, but success was impossible with prolonged dry weather. Much of the pig food was uneconomical.

The president (Captain H. M. Rushworth) said there was a rumour of a plentitude of potatoes later in the year. Mr R. W. Strugnell (Oniokoroa) suggested that an effort be made to get cheaper pollard

and bran direct from the Wheat Controller.

The president said that bctlvwheat offal and potatoes might be bought in bulk from the South and distributed to farmers. The Government had, fixed a price for potatoes, but if there was a slackening in demand, the price would probably fall.