FARMERS WORRIED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20209, 30 March 1940, Page 3

FARMERS WORRIED

SERIOUS SHRINKAGE PIC PRODUCTION PRICE SCHEDULE FOR BEEF WAIROA UNION’S CRITICISM (Special In the Herald.) WAIROA, this day. Great concern at the shrinkage in pig production in New Zealand, and tile effect of what was described .- s the unfair schedule of prices for ox beef was expressed at the annual meeting of tlie Wairoa branch of the Me v Zealand Farmers’ Union. In raising the question. Mr T. LoC Powdrell drew attention to the serious position which was developing in both the pig and cattle industry. He expressed the opinion that half a leaf was better than no bread, but as a result of Government restriction and interference the primary producers of this country were arriving sit the stage when there would be no bread at all Referring to tire shrinkage in pie production. Mr. Powdrell quoted from a statement made by the chairman ol tlie Co-operative Marketing Association, which showed that up to tlie end of February the reduction on the previous year amounted to 95.000. The number of baconer pigs killed had increased, but at tlie cost of the dairy farmer. However, taking this fact into consideration, the overall kill for both porker and baconer pigs showed a drop of 20 per cent. Loss to Community

That, stated Mr. Powdrell, was a very serious thing to this country, and represented a loss to the community of somewhere in the vicinity of £750,000. At a time tike this the country and the farmer could ill afford to lose even 9s. "I say it is time we woke up and went into this." added Mr. Powdrell. Mr. Powdrell stated that figures which he had obtained but which were confidential showed that up to March 15 the position was even worse The dairy farmers, stated Mr. Powdrell, were being asked to raise more pigs, but, economically, it could not be done. The mistake, he thought, was an honest one made in Wellington by someone who did not understand the position. In his opinion, il was tlie moon’s duty to write to the authorities and acquaint them with t'ne true position. “They must allow Ihe dairy farmer to do the best he can. and produce baconer weights or porker weights.

whichever he thinks best." He diet not wish it to be thought that he was making this question a political one. He was doing his best to increase production and help to win the war —that was all that concerned him. Production of Beef

Another direction in which producers, were being penalised, according to Mr. Powdrell, was in the price schedule for beef. The present schedule for prime ox beef was all quarters weighing 1451 b. to 2101 b.. .Ids a hundred, while under and over weights were scheduled at 28s. These underweights included a large proportion of 21 year-old bullocks in prime condition which -were considered to be an ideal type of edible beef. He pointed out that it had taken producers three years or over to reach this standard, which meant that the producers of these beasts, which were of an excellent -chilling type, were being penalised. _ The consumer also was being penalised. Referring to the cost involved in raising cattle of this type, Mr. Powdrell stated that to do any good with them they must be fed with hay in the winter. Taking hay at 5s a bale, and supposing that each beast ate six trusses of hay, which was a bare ration, the cost for hay alone was 30s. The beast then had to be brought forward on to flic best, top-dressed paddocks. "And then when you kill him,” stated Mr. Powdrell, "you are politely told that you have, made a good job. However, he is one pound under 1451 b. fiiHl we are going to give you only 20s for him." This type of beast was fetching premium prices in England, and he suggested that it was not getting a fair run. Remedy Suggested In his opinion the question should be brought before the notice of the Meat Board, and if no other means of rectifying the position could be thought of he suggested that for the 2101 b quarter, which was an 8401 b. gross, heavy live or six-year-old bullock, 28s be paid and that this grade be reduced to 2001 b., while instead of the 1451 b. limit for the chiller this grade be reduced to 1351 b. He added that it was within the scope of New Zealand to bring about this adjustment. If nothing were done, and the position were allowed to remain as it was at, present, the producers of this desirable class of beef were going to drift into the same state as the pig industry to-day, and the chilled beef trade would be ruined. “If we get paid sufficient for what we do, then we can keep up production,” stated Mr. Powdrell. At present the producer of these beasts was losing about 30s a head and was also spending about 30s a head on hay, and this was not taking into consideration the many oilier costs, such as the expenditure on manures. “Short-Sighted Policy’’•

The seriousness of the position brought about by the shrinkage in pig production and the present schedule of beef prices was also stressed by Mr. G D. Tod and Mr. H. L Harker, Mr. Tod describing the whole policy as a short-sighted one trained by one who did not understand the position. After further discussion it was agreed that Mr. Powdrell should take tlie question up with the Meat Board, and that the support of Hawke’s Bay and Poverty Bay producers be sought. A suggestion by Mr. Harker that the union headquarters be asked to forward the fact.- given by Mr. Powdrell to all branches, as well as dairy factory directorates, agricultural and pa si ova l societies and shoepowners. was also approved. Mr. Powdrell stated that the whole fanning community was involved. Human who was rearing stores being in it just as much as the man who was fattening.