PIG PRODUCTION.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20083, 12 November 1930, Page 17

PIG PRODUCTION.

THE MARKET FOR PORK. That in view of the low prices at prosont ruling for butter-fat, the dairyfarmer would have to consider additional means of increasing his revenue, and that he would find it advantageous to turn to pig production was the opinion expressed by Mr Arthur Morton, chairman of the Inglewood Co-operative Bacon Company, for the past thirtytwo years, at the annual meeting of that concern.

Mr Morton, in a reference to the fact that his company had handled only 14,611 pigs, as against 20,661 the previous year, said that a great deal of the decrease was due to farmers having largely gone out of pig production during the past couple of years, and that at present they had to pay twice the value of young pigs in the market because they wero not rearing their own pigs. He held that, though in the opinion of many farmers, the raising of pigs entailed too much labour for the returns received, it would be found advantageous to turn to pig production, for, provided prices 011 the London market were even moderate, there would be a fair return.

During the time the company had been in existence it had paid out in bonuses £.40,000 over and above the market price ruling at the time of purchase, but for the reason disclosed there was a loss of £.1420. That was entirely due to an unexpected collapse on the London market. Last year had been purely a consigning season, and there had been a wide margin between the highest and lowest prices received foi their consignments. They had received as much as lid, and then by the time a consignment on hand had reached the London market the price had dropped to 7d.

As was usual at this time of the year, there was at present a revival in price on the London market, and the company was assured of a return at which it would pay to export. It was impossible to sa'y whether prices would fall as they did last year, but as they had not risen so high this year there wa> not the likelihood of such a rapid decline. Owing to the embargo against the importation of Continental pork the British market had to depend entirely upon. NTev Zealand. Ireland had its own production for its supplies of pork and frozen pork, and the demand, therefore, for porkers would be maintained. . With regard to baeoners the position was different, as on account of the large amount imported from the Continent, there was a lowering tendency of prices. The position would not become any better as tho Continental countries were increasing their pig production all the time, Denmark alone having increased from 3,616,000 pigs to 4,936,000 pigs during last year. It was, therefore no use New Zealand exporting bacon pigs, but they must concentrate on porkers, the market for which would always be much more buoyant, as they were not required for curing purposes. The bacon trade was now confined to the local demand, which was increasing, probably owing to the fall in price having stimulated consumption. Unless the market for bacon improved in England, he did not see how it would improve in New Zealand. Indeed, with the increased competition that would" likely take place on tho local market, it was probable producers would have to accept lower prices.