The Pig Industry

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 277, 23 November 1935, Page 4

The Pig Industry

BACON QUOTA NOT REACHED. Due to the influence of a very dry autumn and an exceedingly backward spring, New Zealand has been unable to supply the 12,500 tons of bacon for tho Homo market allotted under the 1935 quota. Our export was just a little below tho quantity required. Considering tho unfavourable seasons, it. is improbable that our failure should affect futuro allotments. Tho late spring is evident on every hand and its effects upon the pig industry may bo judged from tho returns of tho killings at a largo Waikato works. To date they have handled but half the number of pigs put through up to tho same date last year. Heavy rejections are reported under tho strict grading in force this season and sornq extraordinarily bad cases are reported of 60 and 70 per cent, rejects. One works has had an average of 27 per cent, and another of 17 per cent. If the pig industry of this 'country is to develop as it should, the health of our pigs must be improved. To effect such improvement attention must be given to breeding, housing and feeding. Of these three, the last is paramount, although all three are important. The work of our pig clubs is of the greatest importance and they are worthy of the support and attention of every farmer who keeps pigs. There are few farmers who have yet developed a knowledge of pig husbandry equivalent to that possessed by thousands of farmers upon dairying and sheep farming. Wo have much to learn about pigs, but fortunately means are available whereby the needed knowledge can be gained.