Poultrymen’s Plight

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 149, 25 June 1937, Page 9

Poultrymen’s Plight

TWENTY-NINE LEAVE THE INDUSTRY THE HIGH COST OF FEED AUCKLAND, June 23. A statement that in the last few* months 29 commercial poultrykeepera had been forced out of business on account of the uneconomic state of the industry was made yesterday by one of the largest producers in tho Auckland district, when discussing t*he urgent need of review by tho Government of tho prices of poultry feed. j The plight of egg-producers to-day, and over the past 12 months in particular, had undoubtedly been duo to Government control of feed, he continued. Even with the good prices the margin of profit over tho excessive cost of feed did not allow of sufficient reserve being built up to offset the losses which would be incurred in tho flush of the production season, when eggs were returning only lOd a dozen to the producer. Extent of Increases The producer said he bought feed in largo quantities and at tho best possible rates, but, notwithstanding that advantage, the high price could not be faced unless something was done to ensuro a better return in the coming season. “About IS months ago 1 was buying poultry wheat at 5s a bushel and the best quotation I can get to-day is 6s 9d ex wharf, cash with order,” he continued. Tho prices a bushel for barley in the same period were 3s 4d and 6s sd, maize 3s lOd and 6s, and pollard, previously bought in large lots at £sl6s to £6 a ton, was now quoted at £lO 5s a ton. “The Government must accept somo of tho blame at least for our troubles," said the producer. It had not responded to requests to obtain wheat from Australia when it was realised last DecemI ber that supplies were to be short. The sprouted wheat which had been supplied was detrimental to the production of eggs, as it did not enable the birds to build up their condition. Assistance for Wheat-growers Another producer said it had been proved that, as a result of tho inferior quality of the wheat, pullets had not come into profit at the time they were expected to. “The injustice being meted out to poultry producers in the high prices they are compelled to pay for feed calls for the strongest protest," said an official of tho Manukau and Franklin district council of the New Zealand Poultry Producers’ Federation. Poultrykeepers resented tho fact that Government assistance was granted to the wheat-growers, whose produce was about £1,000,000 less in value annually than the egg production trade. “We do

not want to deny wheat-growers financial assistance to which they may have just claims, but we object to its being provided at our expense,” added the official.