STILL FLOURISHES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 107, 7 May 1943, Page 4

STILL FLOURISHES

THE PIG INDUSTRY

"PRODUCE MORE" CALL

Recent statements that farmers in the Waikato are concerned over the outlook for the pig industry do not appear to be justified, judging by the comments of prominent producers and leaders in the industry, rn-rmnris exist it'is stated, for the suggestion* that present conditions "he industry with extermination. On the contrary, existing Drices are regarded as quite satisfactory in the light of the stabilisation measures, and farmers, apait from the patriotic call for °ncenthe armed forces, have eveiy mcen tive to increase production. Roughly SO per cent of the fat pigs sold in the North Island are disDosed of over the hooks at tne current export schedule. The balance are marketed through the saleyards and otherwise. What are the current prices? Last year the schedule price for baconers and porkers did not exceed 6 z d a pound. Therefore, on SO per cent of the fat pigs sold, the increase of 4 a on April 1 last was very real, and if the higher cost of the pigs bought through saleyards and otherwise LU per cent) was spread over the whole, the average cost would not nave exceeded 6 5-Sd. Thus, on this basis, the producer has, on the average, and in spite of stabilisation, had a rise of 3-Sd a lb. Increase on June 1 On June 1 the price will rise by another -Id, and while it is true thai, during the winter months the sale of 20 per cent of fat pigs, i.e., those sold through the yards, have fetched an average premium over the hooks schedule of Id a lb, the average price to producers during this period last winter would not have exceeded Did, whereas, according to the recent Government pronouncement, for the same period this winter a price of 7-4 d a lb has been fixed. On the subject of the present top weight of 1701b for baconers, the producers' organisations have had an assurance from the Minister that, excepting for unforeseen circumstances, this will not be varied during next season. It is agreed by the industry that the past frequent variations in the top weight of pigs have been very costly to the farmer in the heavy penalties incurred on overweights. It should be pointed out that the recent increases in the hooks schedule for baconers and porkers are not being found by the Government. Both the retail butqhers and the bacon industry have carried all increased costs, including the recent rise of id a lb in the hooks price of baconers, and so far as is known are expected to absorb the further increase to become effective on June 1. Question of Costs Pig producers have a sound case in their demand fora subdised pigmeal at an economic cost, but the chief obstacles seem to the abnormally short supply in both New Zealand and Australia from which in past years a surplus had been available to supplement local supplies. Costs laid down by the Government in the stabilisation order include a figure representing a net income from pig production which is substantially less than in 1938, and possibly an early adjustment here should remove any outstanding disabilities which producers may be experiencing.