POULTRY INDUSTRY

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 53, 11 September 1928, Page 16

POULTRY INDUSTRY

GREATER STABILITY BETTER ORGANISATION NEEDED The poultry industry, according to the uiniuul report of tho Dircetot of the Live Stock Division of tho Agricultural Department (Mr J. Lyons) is showing signs of greater confidence* and, stability than for some years past, and, having now reached the stage when it is producing in excess of local requirements, the matter of sotting up a regular export trade is one requiring very careful organisation with v view to establishing a sound connection for the future, and at the same time not interfere with tho local market. A market is available in London .jlurinn the months of October to December, and,, as tho months of• September to November are our heaviest producing months, the London market is the one oJTeriug tho greatest prospects, and should be developed. There should bo no fear on the part of local consumers states the report, that export will mean dearer eggs, as to bring about export there must bo increased production, and, seeing that an export market is only available for a fow months, more eggs will be available throughout the remainder of tho year. The poultry-breeding and cxperimen-

(;il station at Walkiccville is now sufficiently established to enter fully into the objects for which it was established, and already a keen demand has set in for birds and sittings of eggs. "Thu worst feature iv connection with the industry, states the Chief Poultry Instructor (Mr. F. C. Brown) is the lack of organisation among producers.. There is a geuuino desire, and effort, being made'oil tlio part of many producers to bring about organisation, whereby poultry-products would be centralised on the main marketing ■centres, in order that all unnecessary costs might be eliminated between the producer and consumer. At present the marketing of poultry-products is chiefly controlled by merchants. Even some of the largest producers, with big monetary interests at stake, fail to realise the necessity for joint action in catering for the export trade. "A matter calling for serious consideration for the welfare of the industry is legislation- to prevent, the adulj teration which takes place in regard to : certain poultry-foods on the market. Some of the ground food materials sold :to poultry-keepers are not by any means what they are- represented to be. Particularly does this effect tho small poultry-keeper, who usually has not the necessary machinery to grind his own grain. As regards the future development of tho industry, this will largely depend on the available food supply, its cost, and whether or not a better system of organisation is brought about among producers than that which exists to-drty.