PIG COUNCIL'S COMMITTEE MEETS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 30, 16 March 1948, Page 5

PIG COUNCIL'S COMMITTEE MEETS

Industry Superintendent On Visit To Whakatane "Thirty-six per cent of the baconei-s killed this year have been overweight," stated Mr H. M. Pierson, superintendent of the Pig Industry, at the management committee meeting of the Bay of Plenty District Pig Council at Whakatane on Friday. While it was weight of pig-meat that was concerning Britain at the present time, Mr Pierson went on, this tendency had the effect of lowering the sow population in the country and this would have serious repercussions in the future when the industry got hack on the old grading standards. Local consumption of pig-meat had increased to one-third of the total production, continued Mr Pierson, and this market was a very selective one which demanded a lower weight range. A grading system with a depressing schedule for over-weight baconefs would have the effect of raising the number of sows in New Zealand, which at present was alarmly low, concluded Mr Pierson. In answer to a question by one of the committee on the incidence of suipestefer in pigs, Mr Pierson announced that the Wallaceville Research Station was at present undertaking intensive research into this disease. Remits dealing with the suggestions for the reorganisation of the national pig council were before the meeting and they will be dealt with at the annual meeting of that body, next month.

The supervisor reported that he would be attending 10 field days this month in connection with the Y.F.C. porker competition; that litter recording for February had shown some excellent results; also entries for the Tomoana competition were increasing. The erection of new pig lay-outs was going ahead steadily. In the conclusion of his report the supervisor stated that he had visited 113 farmers in the district.

The Bay of Plenty Council intends to call meetings among pig producers in a number of areas for the purpose of discussing pig problems generally; also to elect delegates who will become members of the District Council. The members so elected will take the place of delegates of pig clubs which have been woundup, thereby maintaining the membership of the Council. These meetings will be held during March and April.