WEALTH FROM PIGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 4029, 2 June 1931, Page 12

WEALTH FROM PIGS.

OPPORTUNITY FOR DOMINION. The fostering of the pig export industry in New Zealand and the profit that must accrue to the country from a welldeveloped pig industry are matters often oyer-shadowed in the lay mind by considerations of butter, cheese, and wool producing. The fact remains, however, that the breeding and export of pigs is an avenue for profit that merits the keenest application. Complaint has been made frequently that the New Zealand farmer is not encouraged to breed pigs, in so far as the cost of suitable grain foods is prohibitive. If the pig farmer were enabled to import grain from overseas free of duty the fattening value of the skim milk fed to pigs would be doubled and the industry given an opportunity of proving its undoubted possibilities. Owing to the sliding scale of duties, however, the price of wheat in New Zealand remains high, while overseas lucre arc cheap and abundant supplies. The pig industry of Demnark offers an outstanding example to New Zealand, and the industry in that country was establish.?,’ on cheap imported grain. New Zealand has all the advantages of climate, pasturage, and skim milk supply. Cheap grain only is lacking. If it were possible to obtain it. the desired qualty in the carcass and more economical feeding of the pig would be attained. The potentialities of the industry cannot be doubted, since there is an almost unlimited market in Britain. Of the £00,000,900 worth of pork imported into Britain each year New Zealand supplies lees than £500,000 worth. A great quantity comes from Denmark. While it is true that quality of produce and satisfying the customer's requirements are essential points to be eon-

sidered, proper feeding is but a means to* this end, and without it the major question cannot be approached. The fact that? New Zealand can produce the type of carcass required has been demonstrated by the favourable comment passed on pigs l bred in New Zealand for exhibition at Home. In 1928 Denmark, usually considered hi its relation to New Zealand as a butterproducing country, exported to England pig products valued at £25.796,525. New' Zealand exports in the same year were only £406,407. In the year 1929-30 the number of pigs slaughtered in New Zealand was 529,576 of _an approximate total weight of 63,549,1401 b. From January 1 to November 14, 1930, the weight of bacon alone ex-» ported from Denmark was 574,851,2001 b- . all of this Danish product was sent to England, while of the pork, bacon, and ham produced in New Zealand, 78 per cent, was consumed in the Dominion. Denmark also exported in the same period 55,566 live pigs. In ” 1929 New Zealand exported 183,879,0001 b of butter and 197,777,0001 b of cheese. The corresponding figures for Denmark were 350,620,0001 b and 14,513,000 lb respectively. The total of these dairy produce figures show 381.656,0001 b for New Zealand and 365,133,0001 b for Denmark, yet there is the great discrepancy in the output of pig products Jn the ratio of about £26,000,000 worth from Denmark to £400,000 worth from New' Zealand. Denmark has shown decisively what can be done in conducting the pig breeding industry side by side with the dairying industry. The first co-operative creamery was started in Denmark in 1882, and 10 years later 700 creameries were in existence. Along with this rapid initial advance went, economcally. the development of the pig industry, until both have reached the nigh standard they enjoy to-day. What Denmark can do in this direction can be done by New Zealand. All the pig' breeder in the Dominion needs is encouragement.