CO-OPERATIVE PIG-SELLING

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 164, 12 June 1926, Page 2

CO-OPERATIVE PIG-SELLING

ANNUAL REPORT. The second anneal report in connection w. h the North Island dairy companion’ co-operative pig-selling federation, to be presented at the annual meeting by the chairman, Air S. A. Brcadbelt. is as follows: "If, gives me great pleasure to announce without hesitation that the operations of the Dairy Companies’ Pig Co-operation have been an undoubted success during the past, season. The prices throughout ihe season have been raised and maintained us never before. Export values have been made available to suppliers, and it is significant that concurrently with our exporting the local market hardened after Christmas, which was a unique occurrence during the flush of the season, lr. lias been marked that wherever the co-operation commenced operating, the scale of prices improved so that the average price paid in this district has exceeded that in the Wairarapa, Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki and Waikato districts. Payments to dairy companies have averaged 0 2-3 d per lb. for baconers over the whole season, which is above the average for the local district and this average is calculated without taking into account that for exported pigs all weight was paid. ll is gratifying to report on the satisfactory returns for export parcels. The shipments were sold at Del per lb., e.i.f.e., Glasgow, which returned or a little better to the farmer, all weight being paid for. The turn-over for the first year has exceeded expectations, and the movement has indications of widening in scope considerably. 1 may state with great satisfaction that the season’s work found no hitch in the functioning of the organisation, which proved sufficiently elastic to adjust to all the varying problems of the market. Killing and weighing lias been well handled. while the export article has been favourably commented on by the Government authorities and by buyers. The Feilding Borough Council are making provision for the coming season to handle more quickly, which will enable the supplier to get his weights and proceeds more promptly. Our brokers have given every satisfaction and have at all times studied the interests of our organisation. The executive have worked well in the suppliers’ interest without any provision even for expenses. I would emphasise the benefit of developing the overseas trade, for if export parcels were to return even slightly less than the local price, it will pay suppliers. It has been proved by our past experiences that only export will maintain local prices "at a payable level. In conclusion, I would urge suppliers to gave greater attention to pig raising. The Agricultural Department is working to enlighten farmers and to _ teach scientific methods. Disease' is less prevalent among warmly-housed pigs, which take less food to fatten—and remember, a pig fattens quicker if contented. No other country can compare with us for favourable climatic conditions, yet we are not producing nearly as many pigs as we should, and very few are studying the best methods and foods, The new porker and baconer class proposed for the Manawatu Spring Show is, 1 think, a step in the right direction to teach us what is required.” RECOMMENDATIONS. The following recommendations are to be submitted by the retiring executive for the season 1926-27: (1). Great organisation of dairy companies’ suppliers. Where possible, organisers should be placed in charge of districts and paid so much for every pig coming out of their district—part of the one-fifth could be retained by the dairy company or the brokers to pay such organisers; (2) chairmen of dairy companies to be asked to speak in their respective addresses to suppliers at annual meetings, recommending the co-operation. Where a chairman wishes, it may be possible for the executive to arrange for a speaker to be present, who could answer questions as to details of the wiirking of the system.