DOWNWARD TREND IN PIG INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 6, 2 October 1943, Page 4

DOWNWARD TREND IN PIG INDUSTRY

Producers Discouraged

Dominion Special Service. HASTINGS, October 1. “If the present downward trend in the pig ■ industry continues, then, not only will we be unable to meet the requirements of the armed forces for pig meats, but bacon, like pork, will not be available to civilians.” This was a comment made at a recent meeting in Hastings and subsequent inquiries have revealed that it was in actual fact fully justified. During the past few months there has been a steady and pronounced decline in returns.

A good indication of the trend of the industry in Hawke’s Bay was provided by Mr. Gordon AValker, auctioneer, who produced returns for recent pig sales, and compared the prices and returns with those for the same period last year. September is a big month for weaners and it is in this month when producers make their preparations for the season’s output of porkers and baconers. The figures shown for market sales, however, substantiate the pessimistic outlook of the industry generally, for the market for weaners has slumped alarmingly. Mr. Walker’s sales records showed, for example, that on September 12 last year weaners ranged in price from 19/- to 26/-, lint for the corresponding sale last month tlie top price was only 20/- and this for a pen of Jour, and the price ranged as low as 5/-, the greater part of the entry being disposed of at prices under 10/-. “It is significant,” said Mr. Walker, “that not only .are weaners in very short supply, but there is a poor demand for them. In normal times when the supply is short prices are high. Now, however, the prices are very low and there is nothing like the demand for them that there was before the Government took control of the industry. Not only have breeders been discouraged but the producers of porkers and baconers have been discouraged and consequently the consuming pulJie, as well as the armed forces, must suffer.” That those directly concerned with the industry have been discouraged was made evident in subsequent inquiries. It was learnt that a number of prominent pig breeders and producers are now directing their iittentioil to meeting the needs of tlie canneries by growing vegetables for canning and dehydration. It was just not worth while carrying on with pigs, was a typical comment.