CO-OPERATIVE PIG-RAISING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 72, 4 July 1910, Page 7

CO-OPERATIVE PIG-RAISING.

A 'PRACTICAL PROPOSAL. The suppliers at the Taratahi cheese factory have decided (says the Wairarapa Daily Times) to adopt a very practical method of raising their pigs, and one which will at once he cheap and clean, and will solve the question of using the whey to the best advantage. In the past a considerable number, who did not wish to be .bothered with the raising of pigs and calves, allotted their whey to be thrown away. The waste has naturally been very considerable, and the profits, of course, less. Recently a suggestion was brought forward that they form a co-operative pig-rais-. ing concern in connection with the factory. The idea was thought to be an excellent one, and those interested have definitely decided to raise on cooperative line, subject to tlie approval of the Stock Department. A suitable site has been selected, which has the approval of some of the officers of the Department who have visited it, and on this pens and sheds are to be erected for the accommodation of the pigs. The ■advantages claimed are fairly numerous.' In the first place, a much higher degree of cleanliness will be assured both in regard to the raising of the pigs andi the carriage of the whey. Under the j present conditions many suppliers are carting the whey from the factory in casks which are not always as scrupulously clean as could he desired. At times, too, these casks are in proximity to the milk that is being taken to the factory, which is not a desirable thinsr. This will all be done away with. Then, under the new system, the whey is all to be sterilised, whidi is perhaps the more important argument in favor ofj the proposal. It has long been recognis-1 ed .that both pigs and calves thrive bet-1 ter on sterilised whey than on whey I that has not been so' treated, and the i risk of the spread of contagious diseases is considerably minimised. Furthermore, the supplier will be saved a great deal of work in attending to the needs of his pigs. A competent man will no doubt he employed, whose business it will be to see that each pen gets proper care and attention. No whey will be returned to suppliers, and the profits will be divided' on a pro rata basis. It is considered that the scheme will be so successful that ultimately it will be possible to acquire a piece of ground in the vicinity 'of the pens for the growing of root crops, in which case they will be able to keep breeding sows during the winter when the factory is closed down, and thus further add to the profits. The rearing of calves may ultimately be taken in hand also, and the proposal! generally is of an eminently practical nature. In the event of bacon-curing works being erected at Waingawa, the suppliers will have an easily accessible market, and benefits will accrue alike to the district and the town of Masterton.