FARMING NOTES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 296, 21 April 1941, Page 2

FARMING NOTES

FUTURE OUTLOOK

THE PIG INDUSTRY govi-:r\M!<:nt's policy When aske.l to comment on the present outlook of the pig industry, Mr W. A. Phillips, chairman of directors of the New Zealand Cooperative Pig Marketing Association, stated inter alia: — "Now that the Government has clarified its policy in regard to killings to September 30 all concerned in the collcction and purchase of pigs should respond to the consideration shown by utilising their aA r ailable freezing space over the next three Aveeks to assist the producer to quit his baconer pigs. Those over IGOlbs are not Avanted bj- local curers, and as they cannot be accepted for export if killed on and after April 17th, a satisfactory market for this class of pig is therefore assured only up to this date. Limiting of Exports. "For one month after this date, namely May 19, killings for export have been limited to pigs <50 to tGOlbs. During this period also producers should avail themselves of c\ T ery opportunity to quit their heaviest pigs and Avork on the principle of holding back their lightest Aveights. If this policy is adhered to and freezing companies are meantime able to reserve an adequate quantity of their remaining total freezing space for pig killings, Avhen in the middle of May export killings arc further limited to Aveights of 60 to lOOlbs, hardship to producers should be reduced to a minimum.

"From now on, however, it would be a mistake to under-ratc the seriousness of the position in regard. to freezing space, of which the shortage is more acute than appears to be generally understood. "This aspect of the situation is now certain to become the limiting factor in respect To the spread of . pig kPlings, which on the present outlook if all pigs now on hand in excess of local requirements are to be slaughtered prior to September 30, is likely to extend much beyond the normal close of the season. This in turn will probably mean ~ that light porkers normally killed in May will have to be carried lo heavier porkers for disposal in June or July and likewise pigs normally killed for export in these month;; may have to be deferred till August and September. It would therefore appear that in their feeding arrangements producers would be wise to plan accordingly." Adjustments in Production. When asked to comment on the adjustments in production which may now become necessary as a result of the present export situation, Mr Phillips said that pending an announcement by the Government regarding its intentions ifi respect of the commandeer beyond September 30, the extent to which cheese would replace butterfat production, and more definite knowledge was available as to the quantity of poikers which could be shipped next season, he would not care to venture an opinion. The facts, however, which had to be faced were that for the total meat season last year (October 1, 1939, to September, 1940) New Zealand's total pig killings amounted to 877,500 pigs comprising 571,000 baconers, 283,000 porkers and 23, 500 choppers. Against these figures our local market last year consumed as bacon and ham approximately 250,000 pigs. Pork meat accounted for about 200,000 pigs, while some 12,000 choppers were converted into sausages and other classes of small goods. Minister's Statement. "Arising from these facts and the recent statement by the Hon. J. G. Barclay, Minister of Marketing, that baeoner exports would be discontinued for an indefinite period, it would seem safe at this? stage to conclude that the production of baeoner pigs for next season would have to be reduced: by at least one halt the present season's figures, but as to what extent this weight of meat can be converted to porker

weights, this, as I have observed, cannot be estimated pending more reliable knowledge on the question ol' shipping, fieezing space and the Government Commandeer policy for next season. 'Nevertheless," concluded Mr- Phillips, "it will be obvious to all that consistent with the markets available it is vital that the structure of the industiy should be maintained at its highest point of productive capacity so that when opportunity again offers a minimum time will be lost in the recovery of our export position," FREE OF TUBERCULOSIS STOCK IN AMERICA The entire United States is now practically free of bovine tuberculosis, the United States Department of Agriculture has, announced. With the completion of the area testing programme in the last two counties of the last State, California, the degree of infection in every county in every State has now been reduced to less than one-half of 1 per cent, signifying practical eradication. This, reports the National Butter and Cheese Journal, is a culmination of the vision of many prominent veterinarians, who in 1917, believed the task to be feasible in spite of doubts and opposition raised to the task of tuberculin testing of millions of cattle. Actually, the huge enterprise in the course of the twenty-three years involved more than 232, 000,000 tuberculin tests and rc-tcsts. About'' 4,000,000 tuberculous cattle Ave re detected and removed for slaughter,

COMBATING BLOWFLY IMPORTANT INVESTIGATIONS WORK DONE IN AUSTRALIA A serious attempt in Australia to replace trial-and-error methods of combating the sheep blowfly with a systematic approach to one important aspect—the destruction of the sheep blowfly maggot—has been made in pamphlets issued by tlie Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. The work has been divided into two main fundamental investigations—the collection' of information on blowflies and their relation to their environment,, and the study of the factors that influence the susceptibility of sheep to blowfly strike. Using retardation of growth and rate of mortality as n means of measuring the poisonous effect of different materials on blowfly maggots, numerous stomach larvicides have been arranged in order of efficacy, and contact larvicides have been similarly classified. These classifications should be very useful to manufacturers and re-< search workers, who might be concerned with the preparation of sheep blowfly dressings and jetting mixtures.

"ELITE" BULLS BREEDERS' CRITICISM The term "elite" which the New Zealand Jersey Catfle Breeders' Association council proposes to apply to specially qualified bulls under the suggested new basis governing transfer of registered pedigree .Jersey bulls came in for considerable criticism at the special meeting of the Hamilton Jersey Club recently. Most of the speakers were careful to state that they favoured the scheme in principle, but they thought the term "elite" quite unsuitable and inappropriate. One member quoted the dictionary definition, and another member said lie also had had reference to the dictionary. It was suggested by Mr A. C. Lovelock that, instead of "elite" bulls, the animals qualified be graded, into four, with the initials A, B, G and D, indicating the quality of merit. After the point had been explained, by the president of the association, Mr G. G. C. Dernier, the meeting passed, on to consideration of other business.