The Importance of Local Freezing Works

Northern Advocate, 1 February 1939, Page 2

The Importance of Local Freezing Works

By W. A . Beattie

• Much has been said and written lately concerning the lack of support of the Moerewa works of the Auckland Farmers’ Freezing Company, and tit is indeed a most important matter. There are one or two important aspects of the matter which affect the work of the District Pig Council, and .which may bear examination without appearing to be overdoing the criticism that has already been advanced.

First of all, it should be said that one of the chief sources of trouble is lack of support by -the New Zealand •Co-operative’ Pig Marketing Association, which sends very .considerable 'numbers of its pigs to Westfield. As ■ this association has large interests in two bacon factories, it must keep up 'the supply to those concerns, and it .may be considered that to kill at Moexewa instead of Westfield (the pigs are dressed by Messrs W. and R. Fletcher Ltd.f would involve additional transport of the carcases, particularly of the unexportable carcases. An unfortunate conflict of interests results. As every dairy farmer,

through his dairy company, is directly interested in the profits made by the Auckland Farmers’ Freezing Company Ltd., he stands to lose something if support is not given to that company. If the Moerewa branch were to close, would there be the same competition and equally good prices given for stock? That is an extremely difficult question to answer. Any exporter can kill at the works of the A.F.F.Co., and this permits free competition in the buying market,, a state of affairs which is not always existent where only proprietary works operate.

The questions set out are vital to dairy farmers, and it is unfortunate indeed that a decision is forced on farmers in some districts between supporting the local works and .supporting those that have their killing done elsewhere. Such a decision has definitely to. be made, and rests on the individual judgment of each farmer. Carcase Reports. It is quite essential, if a farmer is to Improve his stock, that he should

PIG-BREEDING COLUMN

know exactly and in detail how his animals kill out. He must learn to synchronise outward appearance with carcase quality. The Moerewa works will furnish such detailed reports to any farmer who asks in time for them. It is impossible to over-estimate the value of such reports. So much notice and formality is required by other works in this regard that one feels that it is a nuisance to the works if one asks, and consequently it is not done in practice. , Field Days. An important part of the council's work consists in arranging field days for farmers at the works. An unhappy situation arose some time ago when a group of farmers, fortunately a small one, who had always thought that their pigs were going to Moerewa, arrived at the works for a field day and had arranged to see their stock dressed. They were both surprised and annoyed to find that it had gone to Westfield. A great educative

opportunity was lost. How are farmers to improve their stock properly if they do not have these opportunities. It is vital to the industry that they should learn ’all that it is possible to learn, and if the stock goes out of the district, the field days lose both interest and value. One of the best field days held recently was one at which the Far Northern clubs were present, and many members had stock there. The criticism of this stock proved invaluable to everyone. Without a local works this could not be done. Reports on Disease. Reports on disease as furnished by the works are also of great value, but, more particularly when, as a result of a field day, farmers have seen for themselves the result of the diseases on tire carcase, and are thus able to correctly interpret the details on their killing sheets. There is little doubt that the very considerable reduction in the percentage of disease (reduced by over 5 per cent.) in the last little while ,1s attributable to some extent

at least to the effects, direct or indirect, of these reports and field days. A local works is essential to the fullest results from this work. Special Grades. Through the Moerewa Porker Competition a special effort is being made to build up a special grade of porkers that will command a premium. While this is, of course, still very much in the air, prospects seem quite good. Without local works any attempt of this nature would be quite impossible.