NECESSITY FOR PIG GRADING

Northern Advocate, 26 June 1937, Page 7

NECESSITY FOR PIG GRADING

HAMH3EON. This Day.

Emphasising the value of pig raising as a subsidiary to dairy farming, Mr A. H. Cockayne, Director-General of Agriculture, and Mr W. A. Phillips, chairman of directors of the New Zealand Co-op. Pig . Marketing Association, at the National Dairy Conference yesterday stressed the necessity for the introduction Of a system of pig grading, if the demands of bacon curers in the United Kingdom were to be satisfactorily met. They recommended the adoption of some scheme of grading, which would afford a higher and more uniform quality in New Zealand’s export of baconers.

Feasible Compromise.

Mr T. Phillips, in -urging the introduction of a grading system, said that to meet existing conditions,, it would seem that the only feasible effective compromise was for a Substantial premium to be paid for quality on hooks sales only. If buyers were ready to 'do. this, there would be nothing to prevent a premium being paid on saleyards or foot purchases. The speaker contended that the educational levy, now in force, would serve no satisfactory purpose without an adequate and official grading system. That, in turn, was impracticable without a compensatory advantage of a certain payment for improved quality.

Bigger Market Possible.

Stating that Britain, at present, imported about 500,000 tons of bacon, Mr Cockayne said that there was no reason, if the Dominion could supply a quality that was appreciated, why New Zealand should not develop a buying market for at least 100,000 tons. Britain’s treatment of New Zealand with regard to baconers showed that she appreciated developments in this direction. She had not suggested a quota, and had merely asked what quantity could be provided. The situation as regards porkers was different, added Mr Cockayne. A proportion was good, but the less said about the rest the better. Improvement in quality was essential, and every effort should be made to improve pig husbandry. Beal System Wanted. He felt that the time had come when a real system of grading in conformity with the requirements of the British curer should be adopted. A resolution was passed by the conference stating that an improved standard of grading, to apply at the outset to baconer pigs only, was essential to the continued successful development of '"the export and bacon trades. The opinion was expressed that the cost of the premium should be found by a levy over all pigs slaughtered and that its collection and distribution should be the responsibility of the Department of Agriculture.