DEVELOPING THE PIG INDUSTRY

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 396, 1 April 1937, Page 3

DEVELOPING THE PIG INDUSTRY

HINTS TO FARMERS ON THE PRODUCTION OF GOOD LITTERS.

Department of Agriculture Notes by M. J. Scott, 8.A.,8.5c.

In the past it ‘v.las necessary to make special effort in dairying, and the conversion of wild country into dairy farms was a full-time occupation that left little room in time or thought for the intrusion of other projects. This 1 specialisation was probably the mainspring of success in dairying, lut it kept a stranglehold on pigs. Thia was not to the advan tage of the farm as a whole, and the Eime has now come when more thought should be devoted to pigs. A farmer is seldom anxious that any particular paddock or animal should produce exceptionally well, and Would not punish othei paddocks or animals in order to ge<t maximum returns from his favouiite. By analogy no one can be ixeriously concerned whether his coxss or his sheep are especially profitable, if the making of profits with them entails the losing of opportunity in other directions. It is the farm as a uhit that is the chief concern, and if a combination of cows, cropping, pis:s, sheep, etc., were more profitable than cows only that combination would be quickly exploited. In the past pigs have been so neglected that few know just what their capabilities are. There should not be any element of antagonism between developing the pig industry or the dairy industry, but efforts should be made to enhance the nett returns on farms 'oy the ideal combination between two closely allied industries 1 , pigs ami cows. This can be achieved by growing more pig feed and having less cows. Use Pigs While Improving Pastures. From a variety of causes' there are still many farms in New Zealand that although now producing three, four and even five times What they were doing 20 years age, are doing so not because of the excellence of their pasture covering, but solely because of the use that has been made of topdressing. If the better strains of grass' were used In every place that suits them, a doubling of present production could be expected. Good pasture strains have not been exploited

to the full, probably for the reason that roots —an excellent intermediate crop in the establishment of grass—had comparatively little place in grass farming for cows alone, and for this reason the sowing of better strains of grass was deferred. ‘lf a 10-year policy of grass renewal were put into operation and the roots, grown as cleaning crops in preparing for grass, were used to feed pigs, the establishment of these better strains of grass v.buld be almost costless through revenue from pigs, while the possibilities of these could be thoroughly explored. Pigs Now More Popular, During the last few 7 years pigs have come into public favour in an almost accidental way. The industry has yeceived stimuli frbm many directions, but:, the help that it .got was usually what someone was prepared to give it, not whlat it most urgently needed. When the assistance offered’ *Was appropriate good! results have accrued. Thus tho organised marketing, fostered by both New Zealand and English interests, the measurement of carcase quality a<t Smithfield, the reduction on freight charges, the introduction of pig recording and the use of meat-meal, have all helped the industry. On the other hand, the attempts to import grain, based on the fallacy that It would be cheiap grain, has been of little value because even though the necessity of cheap grain was recognised there could be no assurance that it would always be cheap. If these in coordinated efforts have been helpful, to the extent of making pigs a source of profit on many farms, how much more helpful should be a concerted effort, directed at the weakest part of pig production. A better organised and cheaper feed supply, combined with better housing conditions, that keeps pigs always l thriving, and thus eliminates most of our present losses, opens up possibilities l of pig production thia.t are not evident under present average circumstances.