BACONER SHORTAGE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 71, 11 May 1943, Page 3

BACONER SHORTAGE

ADVICE TO FARMERS

As a result of the great demands made on the pig industry in Ncav Zealand for supplies of. bacon for

the Armed Forces in the South Pacific . area, in addition to civilian needs, it is estimated that there Avill be a shortage of -approximately 100,000 pigs by the end of September next. In an endeavour to offset anything of this nature, farmers are

being requested not to follow the usual autumn practice of sending small unfinished pigs to the Freez-

ing Works, but to- winter thorn on economical rations of Tomoana Meat Meal and bring, them on to baconer weights for the spring. By doing this farmers, will considerablv assist the nation's Avar effort and make good profit for .themselves. This avus proved by the Research Y\ orkers at Ruakura Experimental Farm where ft Avas sboAvn that Ilb meat meal per day gave a return for roots (after deducting the cost of the Tomoana Meal) of £3 >>s per ton as ■against only £2 (?s 4d per ton fo>- - roots where only -Voll) meal was fed daily. As a further incentive, to iavmers, Messrs W. and R. Fletcher (N.Z.) Ltd. have instituted a competition j i open to any North Island larmer for the best lines of 4 baconer pigs. Prizes total £235 and there is no entrance. fee. Ibis competition is being supported by the Department of Agriculture and. the District Pig Councils. In each of the seven districts an additional prize of £5 is offered for the team of four baconer* adjudged most suitable for bacon for the United Nation's. Fighting Forces. The United States Joint Purchasing Board have agreed to appoint a judge for these special prizes. The allocation of points in this competition has been designed to be a stimulus toward quality, a most important aspect when the Dominion's reputation as a producer of high grade baeoners is considered. In a similar competition held in 1938 the average return for each of 63 entries of six pig's shoAved a net profit of £14 8s (id a hove cost of pigs in autumn and cost of meal, st) the wintering of pigs is not only helpful to the. national cause but equally profitable.

A leallet. containing full particulars, conditions and entry form can be obtained on application to the District Pig Council Supervisor, or W. and R. Fletcher (N.Z.) Ltd.