Bacon Production Can be Increased Through Checking Preventable Loss

Taranaki Daily News, 30 September 1940, Page 26 (Supplement)

Bacon Production Can be Increased Through Checking Preventable Loss

Much has been said and written concerning the necessity for increasing the production of k bacon in New Zealand by keeping more1 sows, rearing more litters and fattening more stores. There is, however, another side to the picture. It is a fact that 18 per cent. of all pigs born in the Dominion die before reaching the age of eight weeks. It is also a fact that 7J per cent. of the remainder die between the age of eight weeks and the hooks. Further than that, the losses on the hooks from various causes amount in value to £241,000 each year. One-Third Die. It has been calculated that of all pigs born normally and in good condition 280,000 die before reaching a stage where they may be useful as food. If the weaklings and aged sows are taken into account the figure is extended to 373,000 deaths. In other words, nearly onethird of the total production disappears as wastage. Here then is an opportunity to swell the number of exportable carcases without providing any more brood sown and without greatly increasing the volume of foodstuffs. Assuming that adequate provision has been made in the past to feed the pigs from birth to bacon, the main root of the trouble appears to be nothing more or less than poor management. A knowledge of the conditions under which so many pigs have been expected to live and thrive on the dairy farms of the Dominion brings confirmation of this supposition. Poor housing, insanitary yards and unsuitable locations can all be avoided. Neglect, and carelessness, with damage and bruising through rough handling, can be eliminated. Proper feed and proper feeding can be taught. Warmth and comfort can be provided, drains can be dug and clean run-outs built. To the average intelligence the appalling losses which last year were calculated at £965,408, reflect seriously upon the fate of the industry, but fortunately the stimulous of the war effort is turning the limelight of public attention towards redeemable causes. In Taranaki, through the initiative of a few earnest people it is anticipated that nearly 2000 simple but effective pig shelters have been put into use, a factor that at one stroke should do much to cancel annual losses down to understandable proportibns. Then again, most of these new shelters will be placed in selected positions thus freeing the young pigs from the ever present danger of infection from the forced inhabitation of insanitary, disease-ridden, age-old piggeries.