Long-Term Planning For Pig Industry Urged by Breeders

Taranaki Daily News, 4 June 1943, Page 4

Long-Term Planning For Pig Industry Urged by Breeders

The need for long^^m planning to encourage increased production of pig meats was emphasised -at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Pig Breeders' Association at New Plymouth yesterday, when Ihe following resolution. moved as a remit from the Taranaki branch, was carried: — "While appreciating the rise in price for bacon and pork during the winter months, this meeting is of the opinion that to produce the required amount of bacon the price be continued throughout the year, with concentrates available at an economic figure, for a three-year period on a set production basis, to restore confidence." / The need for a long-term guarantee of, say, 7d a 1b, with a ceiling of 1,250,000 pigs, was emphasised by Mr. C. H. M. Sorensen. He suggested a three-year period, and said that unless it was for a long term it would not be satisfactory. Mr. J. D. Pearce considered they should press for a higher price, but not for a set price. Things had to be more stabilised. Cartage, which was once ls a head. was now up to 4s a head. Pig foods should be obtainable at a stabilised price, maintained Mr. A. R. Gudopp. The pig farmer was not getting a fair deal, declared Mr. A. H. R. Amess. The industry was languishing because it was not paying, and no-one should be expected to work at a loss. He urged that a deputation be sent to discuss the position with the Ministers concerned. Mr. J. Simpson (South Island) said there was no stabilised price in the South Island, and they did not want a stabilised price. This year he could obtain only 15 sacks of barley instead of his usual 400 sacks. Barley was grown on contract with the breweries, and this year because of the scarcity of secondgrade grain they had been unable to get it for pig food. I.Ir. Simpson said he had heard of pigs dying for lack of feed. Mr. F. A. Dewhurst compared prices and costs in 1929 with those ruling at present. He considered the present price was insufficient. A long-term plan was of greater importance than price, said Mr. Sorensen. Farmers wanted some security that their piss would be taken over a period. Some farmers said they would not keep pigs over the winter, said Mr. W. L. West (Hawkes Bay), and he had heard that litters had been destroyed at birth.