PRODUCTION OF PORK.

Shannon News, 17 April 1925, Page 4

PRODUCTION OF PORK.

GOVERNMENT EXPERT'S VIEWS. During the last few weeks addresses were delivered in various centres or the North Island by *Mr. K. W. Gorringe, instructor .in swine husbandry. In the course of these he emphasised the need of better sanitation in the pig runs and more comfortable housing. He pointed out the danger arising from insufficient housing and poor feeding, farmers relying too much on dairy produce, which, an some cases, was' skimmed whey. This whey was quite insufficient as a food for young growing animals, and should be fed in conjunction with various fodder crops, which the farmers could easily grow to great advantage on their good lands. Mr. Gorringe ( referred to the great value of the artichoke as a food for young and fattening pigs and for brood sows, and its feeding value was the highest of all root crops, and where it was grown the pig did all his own harvesting, and could be relied on to gather every tuber.

Mr. Gorringe referred to the increase in the number of pigs in New Zealand. For the year ending March 31, 1924, the number of pigs" totalled 414,271, an increase of 14,618 over the previous year, while the number in 1919 was only 235,347. It is expected that there will be a substantial increase for the current year. This increase is being met by a reliable exoort trade to Great Britain. One Arm alone has exported 8000 carcases already this year. Only the very primest export bacon carcases are exported, and these have to stand the rigid inspection of the Government officials. ,