DENNIS STILL PAYS THE RENT.

Shannon News, 16 September 1921, Page 1

DENNIS STILL PAYS THE RENT.

PIG RAISING DURING THIS YEAR.

In fair or lean seasons there is probably no more consistent contributor to the general revenue of the farm.ipg community than the humble pig. It is common knowledge that within 4he last few years what are regarded ais our staple industries have had varied Mutton and wool have for years past been responsible for a return to this country of huge sums of cash per annum, arid during the days of the war these products assumed a most important character in the successful conduct of the war, and their value was enhanced very considerably. In the same way dairy produce became a first and prices, too, increased out of. all proportion to pre-war days. Now a turn of the wheel finds that both mutton and wool have slumped badly, but butter and cheese are holding their own, and prily their quality is standing to them for maintaining a place in the forefront of the world’s markets in what is. undoubtedly thav keenest competition in the history of the industry. In the midst of all this turmoil of ; markets, Dennis continues to ‘‘pay: the rent,” and goes the even tenor of' his way, yielding of his best, with lesd ups and downs as a rule than most, articles of commerce. How have the pig breeders ing during the past year This was a query directed to a local breeder yesterday, and he said ‘‘things are getting a bit better than a, few months back.” He went back about twelve months, and said before last Christmas prices were booming, and the business gene--1 rally was brisk. Farmers stocked up largely, and when the buyers commenced to operate they were soon dull; up. That would be about the end of February last, and as the demand \vas less keen/ prioes went down. The 'next few' months showed no improvement, and 1601 b ■ baconers- went' down as low as £4, and on top of this there was insurance -of 2s per pig- However, there was an encTto most things, and for the last two months or so a steady improvement had set in. Weariers that were worth 5s and 7s then were bringing over £1 and over today, and stores and porkers were firm in price and seemed likely to continue. The demand for young stock was bound to be good till after the flush of the dairy season, but in any case the breeder, considered the business :Wolild be a good deal steadier than last year, as things were more settled. The raising pf baconers was a fairly good proposition as the markets .were at present especially if the business, was run in .conjunction with dairying or general farming, so'that the feed supply could be procured at the lowest possible figure, the quantity that had to be purchased, of course, being, a big factor. in the sue-' cessful running of the business.