FARMING NOTES

Franklin Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 43, 19 April 1940, Page 6

FARMING NOTES

PIG MEATS PORK VERSUS BACON The removal of restrictions on pork export lias been received with mixed feeling's, says a Wellington writer. At- present, the removal applies only to the conclusion of this season’s output, hut “it was hoped it would not he necessary to restrict the export of pork and hacon next season, and every endeavour would he made to obtain the consent of the Minister of Pood (Britain) in this campaign,” said the Minister -of Agriculture, Mr Lee Martin.

New Zealand is, however, expected to maintain pre-war proportions of hacon and pork shipments. At first sight this looks grand. But here is my own reaction: We have asked too much of the Old Country in her hour of need. It doesn’t seem fair. Britain wanted, really required, all our pigs as baconers. To suit our own convenience, we pressed for and received a quota allowing 25 per cent by weight as pork. That equals about 40 per cent in pig numbers. So an average farm putting off 50 pigs in a season was to send 30 baconers and these could be as light as 1011 b, and was allowed 20 porkers. That was fair. Now we have asked for yet more.

So much for the moral aspect; there is also a practical one. This w asput to me this week by a recognised leader of the pig industry, >vho condemned the lifting of the restrictions on both moral and practical grounds. As to the latter, he stated that the pork quota was a valuable educational experience in teaching New Zealand producers to become used to bacon and to produce it efficiently. The importance of this learning lay in our future, for only by greatly expanded bacon production could the industry grow to its full stature. He was sorry to see the restriction lifted, regarding this as a set-back to the industry, though admitting some immediate’gains would accrue. He is himself a producer.

Production Decline The outstanding feature of this season has been a decline in production, estimated at 20 per cent. This has occurred in spite of a milk-sup-ply fully equalling last season’s and a price slightly better. .Undoubtedly the impact of war, coming a! the critical time of early September has been responsible for ibis decline. Even with no special effort or exhortation, I believe a 10 per cent rise in output will be seen next season, as conditions will then be understood at the start.

An interesting’ sidelight on eauses of decline was given by one buyer, who declared that whey feeders were very largely responsible. Many had simply ceased to keep pigs in this territory. Another, a pork enthusiast, stated that “pork pays best., you can put off three 801 b. porkers and get £6, while putting off one 1601 b. baconer, It. return only £4.”

But he had not allowed for the extra sows to be carried and cared for to get the three pigs required for pork, against the ‘one for bacon.

LIME IN THE RATION One of the most important of the mineral constituents which enters into the tissue of the animal body is lime (calcium). It occurs in small traces in muscles and in the blood stream: leetli are largely composed of calcium compounds, but the largest deposits of calcium in the body are found in the skeleton (the bones) which depend for its rigidity upon lime phosphate. The lime requirement of an animal may be subject to considerable variation according to age, function, etc. A small amount is constantly required to replace that loss by elimination in the solid excreta after the calcium has served its purpose in the body. There are, however, special demands for larger quantities of calcium. While the skeleton is being built up, during both the pre-natal period and from birth to maturity it is most important that the diet should not be deficient in calcium", otherwise both mother and young must suffer.

Requirements of Pigs Swine are apt to suffer from lack of calcium in their food more, perhaps. than any other kind of farm animal. There are three reasons for this: (1) Producing two litters of pigs per year makes great, demands upon the mineral supply of the mother body. (2) Growth is rapid in pigs.

Milk, which may be considered as a perfect food for fhe young, is naturally rich in phosphate of lime. It. is evident, therefore, that its increased production in domesticated animals Vvijl call for a comparatively large supply of these mineral constituents in their food.

The source of lime supply must be Hie food and drink. The “hardness” Qf water is in the main, due to lime, present largely as calcium carbonate, and this source of lime no doubt furnishes for many animals no inconsiderable supply of their mineral matter. Foods differ greatly in their calcium content. Bran, for example, while one of the staple foods, is not high in calcium, and this may be said to be true of most cereal products. In summer, for feeding in the fields, and especially if the pastures contain clovers, the probability is that the animals will provide themselves with a sufficiency of calcium.