NEED FOR BETTER GRADING SYSTEM OF PIG MEATS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 83, 6 May 1949, Page 5

NEED FOR BETTER GRADING SYSTEM OF PIG MEATS

Need for a better grading 'of pig meats was stressed by Mr A. Longwill, recently appointed Superintendent of the Pig Industry, who addressed the 12th annual meeting of the Bay of Plenty District Pig Council at Whakatane on Monday. Members representing groups of levy-paying farmers, pig clubs and farmers’ organisations from Walhi to. Cape Runaway and south to Taupo were present. Mr Longwill said he was very pleased to be present and regarded himself as a servant of the organisation and the industry, and as such carried out the policy of the National Council. He went on to pick out a few points which gave food for thought. Pre-War Killing

Pre-war New Zealand was killing up to 1,000,000 pigs which approached in weight 45,000 tons. Of this total about 18,000 tons was consumed in New Zealand. After 1942 a rapid increase in local consumption took place until in 1947 26,000 tons were consumed locally. In 1948 30,000 tons out of a total of 40,000 tons produced v/ent into local consumption. The amount available for export therefore was less than 10,000 tons. Present U.K. contracts expired in 1952 after which all pig meats will be on a buyers market. In New Zealand when retailers were on a “number of sides” quota they preferred large sides which gave them a larger lbs turnover and satisfied more customers, but as soon as buyers had a preference a lighter side was the order, with the result that heavy sides were unsaleable.

It was now not difficult to see that this could happen with the export market as soon as the U.K. reached saturation say after 1952. Further it was not difficult to see that with this class of pig products consumed in New Zealand the trade took the loss, whereas in an export trade it would be the producer wife would have to stand the loss. It seemed therefore that a reasonable grading system should be introduced to cushion what might be severe repercussions. Mr Longwill said he was giving his personal re-actions to these questions which would need to be considered by the National Council.

Mr Longwill outlined the findings disclosed by a recent trial grading survey. He considered that all Supervisors work was devalued by half through lack of a grading system which stressed the importance of quality. It was also reducing the value of all Council’s work. He then touched on the losses survey, and stated that N.Z. killed 9.3 pigs per sow per year. It appeared on superficial figures that only 1.3 litters were born per sow per year. It was hoped to find out where the large losses were. Other surveys were contemplated, all designed to get fundamental information. Thought should also be given to a National breeding plan so as to be able to export a unform sample as other countries were doing. Mr R. W. Strugnell (Tauranga) said he was impressed with Mr Longwill’s address. He was on safe ground and had given his hearers something to thing about.

Decline In Production Mr S. C. Spence (Whakatane). said it was pleasing to see a, comparatively young man entering r n his job with such high ideals. There was, however, the alarming position of a steady decline in production, and care should be exercised that nothing be done yet to accelerate this : tendency. Some incentive must be found if any increase were to ’ .e expected, * and he warned his hearers that if the present decline continued there would be none for export at all in 2 or 3 years. Mr R. W. Dunning (Whakatane) said that if any grading system were introduced it should be an incentive standard grading. Mr Brown said that a severe grading system which automatically meant a lowering of weights would tend to further reduce production, and suggested that the first step should be a lowering of the weight range. This should have an immediate effect on quality on the figures quoted by Mr Longwill himself.

Mr Longwill was asked what would be the price differential as between A. B. and C. Grades, as enumerated.,

The suggested differentials were lOd, 9ld and 13id.