THE PIG INDUSTRY

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21747, 1 April 1936, Page 7

THE PIG INDUSTRY

"Progressive Farmer" writes as follows: At the present time there is much talk of guaranteed prices to the producer. As one interested in farming pursuits I consider the time is opportune for the many farmers interested in pig raising to get busy and *ee if something cannot be done immediately to place the industry on a better footing by seeking out new markets. ~ A recent visitor from Australia informed me that Australia had worked up a splendid export trade. Hams and sides of bacon were being shipped to the East in large quantities. We are exporting pork to Australia. Why not make a bid for ttie Eastern markets by direct shipment? Lord Bledisloe recently pointed out that New Zealand had to depend on the Motherland for a market for 75 per cent, of her products. Fortunately for Australia and South Africa their countries were much better placed. There is not the co-operation amongst those interested i»i the pork industry as is the case in other branches of primary production. Cannot something be done to ■work up an industry well worth while and advance Canterbury by placing it on the map as an exporter of pork? As in most other agricultural districts in Canterbury the Methven txuntrysidc is dotted with stacks. Passes along the River road to the Methven Show on Saturday, "Straggler" saw paddock after paddock, each carrying anything from a few to 16 stacks. A local farmer mentioned to him lijat' from one road in an adjoining part of the district, extending from 10 to 12 miles, he and a car companion, each taking a side of the road, counted no fewer than 862 tacks. A substantial proportion of these would possibly be oats, but as each wheat stack would probably contain from 200 to 250 bushels, accordmg to the bulk of the straw as well »* the size of the stack, the total oushelage represented would be considerable. Methven is a late district 2nd doubtless more wheat is in stook »an in other cereal districts, but the Wfcition is typical of the province as a whole.