BACON WEIGHTS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21224, 21 September 1940, Page 12

BACON WEIGHTS

PIGS FOR EXPORT RANGE 111 LB. TO 180 LB. NEW BRITISH REQUIREMENT (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Friday An alteration in the weights of baconers for the United Kingdom market was announced this evening by the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. W. Lee Martin, who said the adjustment was mainly one of marketing arid would not mean an added burden to farmers intent on producing baconers this year. “The contract with the United Kingdom Government for the supply of pig meat, both baconer and porker, has not yet been completed,” said Mr Lee Martin. “However, certain modifications of the weight range of last year have been agreed to. As these have a direct bearing on management it is important they should be known by all pig producers immediately. “The United Kingdom has insisted that baconer carcases should be not less than 1111 b. and not more than 1801 b. “Any carcase up to 1101 b. will now be classed as porker and the raising of the minimum weight of a baconer j from 1011 b. to 1111 b. naturally will ' reduce our total tonnage of baconers | unless farmers concentrate on the (production of animals above 1111 b. j As the United Kingdom is anxious i for us to supply her with the maxi- ; mum tonnage of baconers we can ! produce from our resources, all ■; farmers are urged to see that as few ! porkers are killed for export as pos- « sible, particularly during the spring and summer. ] “The other change in the weight schedule is definite, an upper limit Jof 1801 b. for baconers. In the season just passed some pigs over 1801 b. ■ could be exported as baconers in the j form of Wiltshire sides. For the ! forthcoming season the maximum 1 weight of Wiltshire sides have been I reduced from 901 b. to 801 b. This I will exclude all pigs over 1801 b. I being classed as baconers. Any above that weight would have to be I exported as choppers at a price I 29-16 d less than that paid for baconers. The farmer, therefore, should direct management so as to j produce as few porkers as possible and avoid bringing any baconers above 1801 b.”