FEAR OF DISEASE CHECKS PRODUCION lON

Northern Advocate, 1 December 1948, Page 6

FEAR OF DISEASE CHECKS PRODUCION lON

NORTHLAND DISTRICT PIG COUNCII

“MANY small farmers believe that the incidence of losses amono- pigs due to illness in definitely on the increase, said Mr F. D.°Miller (Warkworth) at the Northland District Pig Council meeting yesterday. . , f ■ He continued that many farmers were going out oi pig production on account of losses.

Council members stated that their losses occurred mainly before weaning. although there is also a heavy mortality rate in bought pigs. The supervisor (Mr H. Preston) agreed that once a man who raised his own stock got his pigs past the weaner stage he had a good chance of raising the pigs to maturity. Mr J. W. Byers (Kaikohe) said that some farmers would disagree with that as they took more notice of a mature -pig's death than that of a weaner. Temporary piggeries with dirty surroundings were a contributing factor in weaner mortality, Mr Preston remarked.

CHOPPERS REFUSED Mr Preston suggested that the provision of a certificate of merit for every pig scoring 70 points or more on the hooks would improve the general standard of pig meat. He said that since the lifting of meat rationing people were not compelled to eat sub-standard bacon to eke out the meat ration. Chopper pigs were being refused as baconers by several curing firms. It was decided that the question of provision of certificates be held over until next year. Discussing Mr Preston’s broadcast to farmers on pig breeding, Mr Miller said that it was much more easily understood than the lecture provided by the Department oi Agriculture. ALTERED BROADCASTS? Mr Preston said that there was a feeling among pedigree pig breeders that the council, through the superintendent, was attacking the pedigree breeders. This was not the case, he said, as it was not his place to criticise those men with whom he had to work in close union.

Mr Byers said that it was unfair for the department to incorporate comments in the broadcast, alleged to have been made by the superintendent. Mr Preston said that if the department wished to rewrite and alter his broadcast it should do so under its own name and not use his, particularly when a personal complaint was made. Failing that he suggested that all personalities should be kept out of broadcasts made in the name of the Northland Pig Council. It was decided to wait and see what would happen to the next broadcast.

LOANS FOR PRODUCERS Loans of up to £IOO will be granted to farmers on reasonable terms for the erection of fan-owing accommodation, or the improvement of existing buildings.

The Government has approved the scheme as part of the drive to send more pig meat to Britain. No formal application need be made in the event of the farmer being a States Advances mortgagor; an approach need only be made so that the application may be referred to the local pig council. ‘ Recommendations in favour of granting the loan or refusing it will be made by the district supervisor in collaboration with a member of Federated Farmers. , In other cases the loan would be available as a bank overdraft on re-

ceipt of approval from the supervisor and his adviser. Interest rates will be three per cent, except where the two per cent rehabilitation rebate applies. SHORTAGE OF ROOFING The superintendent reported that lack of roofing materials was holding up the erection of new piggeries, although he had supervised the erection of six new piggeries. He commended for consideration the purchase of boxing such as is available from the Albertland Dairy Company. Mr Preston said that more farmers would erect new piggeries if they could obtain boxing at a reasonable price. The cost of a set of boxing, sufficient for 20 units was approximately £45. TO ASCERTAIN LOSSES Surveys of pig breeding figures combined with reports of losses, will be obtained from 150 farmers in Northland. Sheets have been provided by the Department of. Agriculture and the council considered that the information obtained from the answers to the various questions would be valuable. Mr H. A. Martin (Hokianga) said that this appeared to be the first step in a campaign to combat pig losses, ■ and on his motion the council’s supervisor (Mr H. H. Preston) was instructed to assist farmers in filling in the forms. POTATOES FOR CARTAGE As all information was not finalised no report was available of the result of the foot-rot trials that are being carried out in Northland. The Potato Advisory Committee advised that potatoes could be obtained in the South Island for the cost of cartage. . While there was no surplus of stock food in Northland nothing was done to obtain potatoes owing to the shortage of shipping space.