Concern at grain prices

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32666, 23 July 1971, Page 18

Concern at grain prices

It was questionable whether pig production could be made economic under any circumsta ices at the level of grain prices ruling in many areas today, the chairman of the New Zealand Pig Producers’ Council, Mr R. A. Oliver, said recently.

Speaking at the pig industry conference, Mr Oliver said that there must be a greater degree of liai-

son in future between producers of grain and users, such as the pig industry. The Pig Producers Council had discussed this with Government and asked for representation on the grain and seeds committee of the Agricultural Production Council. It would continue to seek a voice on any organisation which had influence in the area of grain feed supply. “Pig producers can only pay a price for grain which is related to the price they receive for their pigs,” Mr Oliver said.

“The determining factor is the return for pork and bacon across the counter, J and the producers of grain must take this into account if they wish to retain a stable outlet for substantial quantities of grain in the pig industry. “If costs of production go too high,” Mr Oliver said, “then the price of pig meats to the consumer must inevitably rise. This could create considerable difficulty in the future and is certainly not in the industry’s interest,” Mr Oliver said.