PRODUCTION OF PORK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18951, 24 February 1925, Page 7

PRODUCTION OF PORK.

INSTRUCTOR ON TOUR. POSSIBILITIES OF FUTURE. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] TAURANGA. Monday. Addresses have been delivered in the Bay of Plenty districts by Mr. K. W. Gorringe, instructor in swine husbandry. Ho emphasised the need of better sanitation in the pig runs and more comfortable housing. He pointed out the many dangers arising from insufficient housing arid poor feeding, farmers relying too much on dairy produce, which, in some cases, was skimmed whey. This whey was quite insufficient as a food for young growing animals, and should be fed in conjunction with various fodder crops, which the farmers could easily grow to great advantage on their good lands. Mr. Gorringe referred to the great value of the artichoke as a food for young and fattening pigs and for brood sows, and its feeding value was the highest of all root crops, and where it was grown the pig did all his own harvesting and could bo relied on to gather every tuber. Mr. Gorringe referred lo the increase in the number of pigs in Kew Zealand. For the year ending March 31, 1924, the number of pigs totalled 414,271, an increase of 14,618 over the previous year, while the number in 1919 was only 235,347. It is expected that there will be a substantia! increase for the current year. This increase is being met by "a reliable export trade to Great Britain. One firm alone has exported 8000 carcases already this year. Only the very primest bacon carcases are exported, and these have to stand the rigid inspection of Government officials. Mr. Gorringe was specially pleased with prospects of the Rangitsiki as pig-produc-ing country, and was surprised to find that the farmers were only working in a very meagre way. If the lands were properly handled, lie said, tho Rangitaiki could easily carry 100,000 pigs, as well as dairy and other stock. Mr. Gorringe left to-day for the Hauraki Plains. Thence he proceeds to Karaka and King Country districts.