PIG INDUSTRY

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20279, 23 August 1937, Page 2

PIG INDUSTRY

NEW GRADING SCHEME. THE PRODUCERS’ INTERESTB. “ I find it hard to understand the reported remarks of an official of the 00-operative organisation with reference to the bacon output of our association,” remarked Mr P. O. Bonham, secretary of the Auckland Provincial Buttermilk Pig Producers’ Association this morning when questioned with reference to the new pig grading soheme. “ Inquiries at our latest meeting elicited the fact that this co-operative organisation had not during the last three or four years handled any quantity of our huge annual bacon production, therefore if Is purely an assumption on the official’s part that under the new system the butter-milk fattened will have any more difficulty In turning out a superfine pig than has the average farmer. Indeed, if last season’s grading, lnoluding unexportable and condemned pigs, is considered any guide, the gradings of our association will be Immeasurably better than the New Zealand average grading of pigs. 44 But,” continued Mr Bonham, “ this official’s generalities In connection with butter-milk pig farming avoid the main facts. I hope that he may be able to make some comment more in touch with realities, and confine his remarks to the subject of grading, and not cloud the issue by references to 4 private Interests, etc.’ The pig-farmers of this province are not likely to need any guidance as to the credentials or standing In the business of the chief executives, of our association, all of whom are practical men, nor of the whole-hearted efforts being made to acquaint our farmers of the serious pecuniary loss which is looming. No Unanimity. M It is a plain matter of faot that there is no unanimity of opinion as to the best breed of pig, or cross, which will fill the bill in regard to the newgrading aiul at the same time combine the essential characteristics of virility, constitution and quick fattening propensities. 1 ilfl 44 Can this official name any company or interest In England, or give us any guarantee that there Is any English buyer or curer who will pay the three-eighths penny per lb premium for superfine above first grade prioe, and what quantities they are likely to require at this premium? If not, how could local buyers pay a premium on finest selected except by reducing the present first-grade price standard, and further, penalise the lower grades to obtain the premium? 44 Why Is It necessary to 4 thrash the farmer with the grading stick ’ before the levy money has had time to show its effect In the education of our less progressive farmers, and at the time when we cannot fill our quota of bacon pigs for the British market? No General Support. His association, Mr Bonham added, had contacted and Interviewed practically every exporting interest in the country during the last two weeks, and hsid asked them whether they were experiencing any difficulty in disposing of first grade pigs in Britain, and whether there had been any serious complaints regarding the quality of the article, and lie could prove that in each instance the answer had been In the negative. Their members had still to find any farmer, freezing works, or exporting Interest, except the Co-operative Association, who endorsed the new grading scheme. Mr Bonham referred to the resolutions passed recently by the Farmers’ Union and the National Dairy Association. He stated that these organisations were asked to vote on the subject without the full implications being placed before them, and he had no doubt that the same organisations, Pad they the chance, would reverse their decisions. His association w-ould be the first to agree that the ultimate goal of the pig grading ought to be a scheme on the lines of the system now being gazetted, and its only concern was that a matter of this kind conuld only be tackled In an evolutionary manner, In whloh some years oould be spent on the standardisation of a pig suitable to this country’s climatlo conditions and a suitable carcase as well, and the average farmer taught to breed, feed and house correctly.