PIGS FOR EXPORT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 252, 21 September 1940, Page 10

PIGS FOR EXPORT.

BACONER WEIGHTS CHANGED. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Sept. 20. An alteration in the weights of baconcrs for the United Kingdom market was announced this evening by the Minister of Agriculture (Hon. \V. Lee Martin), who said the adjustment was mainly one of marketing and would not mean an added burden to farmers intent on producing baconcrs this year. “Tho contract with tho United Kingdom Government for the supply of pig meat, both baconer and porker has not yet been completed,” said _ Mr Martin. “However, certain modifications of the weight range of last year have been agreed to. As those have a direct bearing on management, it is important that they should be known by all pig pro dueers immediately. “The United Kingdom has insisted that baconer carcases should be not less than 1111 b, arid not move than 1801 b. Any carcase up to 1101 b. will now bo classed as porker, and raising the minimum weight of baconer from 1011 b. to lll'b. naturally will rcduc-c our total tonnage of baconcrs unless farmers concentrate on the production of animals above 1111 b. “As the United Kingdom is anxious for us to supply her with the maximum tonnage ol baconers we can produce from our resources, all farmers are urged to sec as few porkers are killed foi° export as possible, particularly during the spring and summer. “The other change in the weight schedule is a definite upper limit of 1801 b. for baconcrs. In the season just passed, some pigs over 1801 b. could be exported _ as baconcrs in the form of Wiltshire sides. For the forthcoming season tho maximum weight, of Wiltshire sides lias been reduced from 90 to 80lb. This will exclude all pigs over 180Ih. being classed as baconers. Any above that weight would have to bo exported as choppers at a price 29-16 d less than that, paid for baconcrs. Farmers, therefore, should direct, their management_ so as to produce as few porkers as possible and avoid bringing any baconers above 1801 b.”