WHEY AND PIG PRODUCTION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 198, 23 July 1941, Page 8

WHEY AND PIG PRODUCTION

.ns dairy farmers arc well aware. tin greatly increased demand for cheese pro dnetion will mean that many who havi hitherto boon suppliers to butter factoria will be compelled to make eonsiderabli changes in their farming procedure in si far as tho treatment of whole milk i: concerned. The impending change over tc chccec production will of necessity entai considerable expense in equipment, beside: tlio extra time anil work involved in till delivery of milk to tho most convenient centre. Again, there is the lessened value of whey as against that of <skim milk foi the roaring of pigs, which also means thal some change in feeding methods will neec to bo made to meet the new situation. The appeal from the Homeland for n minimum of 160,000 tons of cheese during tho coming season k an urgent war emergency request anil as such will doubtless find a ready response from all dairymen who have in the past been ever ready to comply with good and sufficient demands that have been made on their loyalty and physical resources. All who have any knowledge of the problems involved know full wolf that to many a supremo test of their loyalty and ingenuity is now being made; when, without adequate labour for normal undertakings, a still greater strain j is being placed upon them. There is no 1 doubt that a way out will he found and j that in tho end, as in tlio past, dairy farmers will do all they have been asked to do, and something more, f At the last meeting of the Wellington District Pig Council serious consideration was given to (he possible effects on pig production of n change over from skim milk to whey feeding. It was pointed out that, owing to difficulties in cartage and the- extra work involved, some dairymen may lie inclined to reduce tlio number of pigs normally fattened or perhaps drop this department of their work altogether. Tn view of these possibilities the council makes an urgent appeal for the maintenance of the highest possible level of production. All things considered, it is inevitable that fewer pigs will he marketed during tho coming season, but there is every reason to believe that a ready demand will he forthcoming for porkers and haconors over arid above t lie 400,000 carcases needed for local use. It will be little less than a calamity if, after all the good work that has been done to establish tho industry, production is allowed to fall away to such an extent that would detrimentally affect tho future.

Farmers in this district who are new to the use of whey are earnestly requested to make full trials of its value. There is abundant evidence from the experiences of others who have used whey in conjunction with meal supplements over a long period of years that good profits can bo 6hown in both the production of store pigs and full weight haconcre. Tho council has instructed its supervisor (Mr L. Marsdon) lo supply all possible information to those in need of assistance. It is hoped that full advantage will be taken of this avenue of free service. In addition a pamphlet dealing with whey feeding is now in preparation.