The Pig Industry

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7066, 27 January 1933, Page 8

The Pig Industry

PUBLISHED FOR MANAWATUOROUA PIG RECORDING AND DEVELOPMENT CLUB (Continued from Yesterday). . In measuring the efficiency of our farm management wo are apt to think in terms of butterfat per cow and per acre, and we pride ourselves when a high value is reached, but the dairy cow has not finished her earning capacity when measured in term's of butterfat alone. There is the skim and the whey, the very largo surplus of which has no value unless used in pork production. These by-products must be efficiently utilised if the cow is to return her maximum profit.

If only we would think in terms of pork flesh per cow or per acre as well as butterfat, and givo the same earnest attention to the production of our farm balance sheets would be in a more healthy condition than at present. Some are already working along these lines, and their returns reflect the wisdom of allowing the pig to pull its full weight oh a dairy farm. It will bo remembered that the determining factor in securing the awards for the first three farms in the Manawatu farm competition was that better use had been made of dairy by-products than by the remaining twenty-two competitors. >

By the courtesy of a methodical local farmer who keeps a complcto record of all receipt's and expenditure covering his work, we have been enabled to secure details showing the rolationshij) of pork flesh production in relation to buterfat production, which is a very valuable contribution towards illustrating what can be done by consistently good management.

It should be explained that the farmer concerned doc's not advance any claims that the figures represent any phenomenal returns, and that they have been made available at the request of the Recording Club in the hope that authentic records such as these will further stimulate general interest in the pig department of dairy farming. It is quite possible that others may have equally good or better return's from their pigs, and a general invitation is extended to all who are disposed to help in the work of compiling reliable data to pass along the results of their experience for the general good.

From the attached table the actual average yearly pig production for the period has been 1131bs of pork flesh per sow and 701bs per acre, giving an actual nett profit, after paying all cost's of £ll7 per annum. This is more than £2 per cow over the eight year period. Column no. 7, which shows the nett profit per lb of buterfat produced, should alone convinco us of the value of the pig production on the dairy farm, the average figure of 1.74 d representing a constant premium per lb of fat for 8 years over the man who has failed to use his by-product's. Good as they are, these figures reflect a situation common to the whole industry. Although the number of cows caried has steadily increased from 43 to 66 there has been no corresponding improvement in pork production. Columns no. 4 and 16 show this to have remained relatively constant, while column no. 15 shows that per cow a decrease has taken place. Similarly, although several hundred thousand dairy cows have been added to the Dominion herds over the psat few years, pig production ha's actually gone back. In other words the returns from this farm could have kept place with butterfat production had more sows been kept, more pigs bred, and less reliance placed on the purchase of store pigs. Co-operation of Farmers Desired. Your pig recording club is aiming at furthering tho interests of pig raising in this district until every farmer is getting returns as, least as good as these. While litter testing is being confined more particularly to purebreds this season, cross bred sows will be tested should their owners desire. In such cases the farmers should have no hesitation in asking for the services of the recording officer. An indication where farmers can substantially assist the movement is in the direction of helping to compile the returns of pig production on their individual farms in relation to the number of cows milked and, butterfat produced

It is hoped by this means to secure actual examples of definite returns from different kinds of management. It is also hoped that where a group of farmers would like the benefit of any advice, tho Recording Officer feels competent to give, arrangements could be made for periodic visits which wc feel sure will be of mutual advantage to all concerned.