THE PIG INDUSTRY.

Kaikoura Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 60, 3 August 1944, Page 3

THE PIG INDUSTRY.

VALUE OF CO-OPERATION. A remarkable record of development during the twleve years the Association has operated an a national scale was reviewed by Mr W. A. Phillips, chairman of directors, at the annual conference of the New Zealand Cooperative Pig Marketing Association, Limited, which was attended by about 250 delegates from various parts of the Dominion.

While the total production of pigs in New Zealand showed a further decline of some 60,000 carcases on the low level reached last year, the company’s year w as in most respects one of record results, said Mr Phillips. A total of 116,259 pigs was handled, an increase of 32,000 on last year’s collections. No fewer than 104,000 of then|, weighing 13,500,000 lb (were sent in on consignment —a record number and a record weight.

Because our collections exceeded the average percentage handled by the Pig Marketing Association during the basic years, namely, the three years ending September 30, 1942, we have during the season been called upon to transfer some 16,500 pigs from our collections for killing on account of various other proprietary operators,” said Mr Phillips, in the directors’ report submitted to the meeting. BOBBY CALF OPERATIONS.

‘ 1 Altogether 71 bobby calf pools appointed the P.M.A. to market their calves and administer their affairs. This season we handled 322,000 bobby calves —an increase of 4000, and the turnover in this department reached the record figure of £249,000. Our average ‘at works’ realisation of bobby calves in all districts was 14/1 per calf, and after meeting charges for cartage, railage, skin levy, trucking and administration costs the producers received an average net price at the gate over all classes of 11/11 per calf, Again these figures show the pow er tul strength of collectively marketing some 322,000 calves (one-third of the New Zealand total), which has enabled us to secure returns in most cases well in excess of other pools. Apart altogether from the favourable returns, the spread of field and administration costs in the off season for pigs is always of utmost importance to producers in our pig activities. ”