COST OF PIGS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20110, 2 December 1939, Page 15

COST OF PIGS

FEEDING DIFFICULTY PAST DROUGHT SEASON

MAORI FARMER'S TRIALS INTERESTING FIGURES The increased cost of pig-raising in a dry season when buttcrfat returns are substantially reduced is demonstrated in interesting figures made available by Mr. G. Brown, Puha. Mr. Brown is one of the most progressive members of the Maori race engaged in the pig-rearing industry in the district, and apart from making a success of his business he takes much trouble in keeping accurate accounts of the cost of feeding and of the financial returns. The accurate check he kept on the financial transactions enabled him to indicate that the cost of feed purchased during the past drought season averaged more than 5s per pig sold, compared with the' very small amount of Is Gld per pig the previous season when a greater quantity of skimmed milk was available. Lower Milk Production The. butterfat from the herd dropped by approximately 25001 b. from the previous season's level, despite an increase of six cows, bringing the total in the herd up to 88. Twelve sows on the farm contributed 21 litters, compared with 11 sows and 19 litters the previous season, and he carried one sow to every 7.4 cows, the previous season’s figure being one sow to eight cows. Mr. Brown increased the number of pigs sent away from 118 to 148, but because the weights were lower, as a result of the dry season, the increase in total weight was not so great in proportion, rising from 80141 b. to 9(12411), and while the total return was larger by about £2B. this was more than offset by the additional cost of purchasing feed, which rose from £ls Os (id : n 1937-38 to £44 last year. The average gross return per pig declined from £1 13s Gd to £1 10s 51d. Increased Cropping Every season. Mr. Brown grows his own crops for the feeding of the pigs, and the same area as the previous year was cropped last season, but in view of the drought conditions this year did not prove nearly sufficient. In case of emergency, Mr. Brown has arranged to put in a much larger area of crops this season so as to make him. as far as possible, independent of the purchase of feed. The figures Mr. Brown has prepared make very interesting reading. The* are tabulated below:—

1937-38 1938-38 Cows 82 88 Butterfat 18.7811b 16,2891b. Porkers 118 148 Total weight 8.0141b. 9,6241b Average weight 681b. 651b. Average price per pig £1/13/6 £1/10 54 Total receipts £197/12/2 £225/7/7 Average per lb. 5.9d 5.6d Pork per acre 721b. 861b. Fork per cow 981b 1091b. Carried over 27 36 Return per sow £17/19/3 £18/15/7 Return per litter £10/8/0 £10/14/8 Return per lb fat 2.Id 3.3d Sows 11 12 Litters 19 21