REDUCED INCOMES SUPPLEMENTED

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 223, 17 June 1936, Page 18

REDUCED INCOMES SUPPLEMENTED

Dairy-Farmers Show Greater Interest in Pig-raising PROFITABLE UTILISATION OF SURPLUS DAIRY PRODUCTS

(By

Cultivator.)

During the years of depression with deplorably low prices ruling for the Dominion’s butter and cheese overseas it was only natural that our dairyfarmers should seek some source by which their falling income could reasonably be supplemented. This was done by the utilisation of surplus dairy products by pig-raising, and in consequence there was a very noticeable increase in tlie interest taken in building up this subsidiary industry. The United Kingdom represents the principal market for our pig exports, and while every effort has been made in recent years to cultivate this market by the production of greater quantities of pork and bacon there is still much room for improvement in obtaining a type of animal most suitable to the trade.

THERE was a definite cheek in the industry between 1928, when the total number of pigs in the country was 586,898, and 1931, when there were 476,194 pigs, including purebred and crossbred animals. With the full pressure of the low butter and cheese prices being felt by dairy-farmers throughout the country in the latter year, it proved the turning-point for pig products, and each year since an increase has been recorded until the figures for 1935 were 762,755. During the live years to 1935 the total number of pigs slaughtered both for export and home consumption was 3,348.312, the approximate weight being 3,056,510 cwt. For the previous five years tlie figures for slaughtering were 2,395.250, witli an approximate weight of 2,566,339 cwt. Perhaps the most interesting feature of the figures for the past two quinquennial periods, however, is the fact that the percentage of exports in relation to the percentage of pig-meat used for consumption within the Dominion has-shown a pronounced increase. The amount of pork, bacon and ham exported during the five years to 193;> was 1,272,144 cwt., which represents 42 per cent, of the total slaughterings for that period, the balance of 58 per cent, being consumed in tlie Dominion. Over tlie previous five years from 1926 to 1930. the exports represented 22 per cent, and the amount used for local consumption 78 per cent. The following figures culled from tlie Official Year Book reveal an interesting

1933- .. 800.067 719.670 .378.760 1934- .. 973,525 S4O OSO 451,825 Failure to Meet Market, From the figures taken over the past five years, it is npticeable that there has been a swing toward tlie production of a heavier animal more suited for bacon purposes, lint this in relation to tlie growing demand for this class of pig on the United Kingdom market has been disappointingly slight. It is indicative, however, that some dairyfarmers have accepted pig-raising as a serious business and have strived to supply the type of product required.

I But, on tlie other hand, there is plenty of evidence to indicate that many have / failed to realise the intimate relationship that exists between pig-raising and dairying, and as a result have not been successfully meeting the demands of the market. No matter what the state of the market for our principal dairy products may be, tlie pig industry should be regarded in its proper light, as an integral part of dairying. In establishing it as a natural corollary of the dairying operations, however, the question which should be foremost for consideration is that of the selection of stock

of the right type and breed to produce the required type of carcase for the pork and bacon trade in the United Kingdom. Those stud-masters in New Zealand who have kept step with the march of progress in this direction deserve credit for the way they have concentrated their breeding activities upon the production of a class of utility animal most suited to the requirements of our markets. By the employment of sound breeding methods in combination with the importation of some of the finest blood of -the leading stud pig-breeders of Great Britain and other overseas countries, some of New Zealand’s breeders have built up studs of fine utility animals. The most unfortunate thing is that breeders of this type who have produced stock of the finest quality are all too few. The demand on the Homemarket at present is for more baconers, and, while it is most desirable that New Zealand should always fill the pork quota, an eye must be kept on the demand. With this in view the need for utility animals becomes paramount, as they can be used as porkers to satisfy the pork market, and then once that has become saturated the lighter animals still on hand can be carried on to baconer weights. In the utilisation of surplus dairy products in the breeding of pigs that will be readily sought after for consumption purposes, dairy-farmers have an avenue by which they can improve the profits of the dairy farm quite appreciably. But. above all, if pigraisers hold out any fragment of hope of commanding a market for their commodities. it is most essential that they satisfy the demands of the consumers in that market. This can be done only by careful breeding toward a type of animal of high quality that will readily meet those demands.

position:— Pigs Approx. Total SlaughWeight. Exprts. Year. tered. Cwt. Cwt. 19.30-31 .. 501.670 4S2.460 150.024 1931-32 .. 482,450 465.110 104.889 1932-33 .. 590,607 549,190 186,646