MARKETING OF PIGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19320, 6 May 1926, Page 14

MARKETING OF PIGS.

CO-OPERATIVE EFFORTS. SUCCESSFUL MOVEMENT. DAIRY COMPANIES' SCHEME. Prom the lessons of the many more or less unsuccessful attempts to form farmers' co-operative bacon companies a really up-to-date marketing organisation has been developed under the name of tho North Island Dairy Companies' Pig Co-operation. This consists of a i ("deration of dairy companies to dispose of pigs from their suppliers on consignment, under a carefully prepared code of conditions. The movement originated at tho commencement of the 1925-26 season in the Manawatu, Oroua and Rangitikci Districts, and has been supported by over fourteen dairy companies. It has functioned tvitli such marked success through the season that surrounding districts, including the whole of the Southern portion of tho North Island, and as far as Lower Wnikato, which have been watching tho results are now moving to join in. This is scarcely to be wpadcrcd at since the prices received by farmers where tho Co-operation is operating have throughout the season been £d to Id per lb. above other districts. Under the organisation a farmer sends live pigs—with a properly affixed metal ear label for identification —to tho killing centre, which is tho Feilding Municipal Abattoirs, whero pigs havo been received this season from as far north as Hamilton. They aro killed, dressed, weighed and graded under Government supervision. From this point they come under iiie control of a small committee, called the executive, which consists of representatives of tho dairy companies. -These representatives are elected at periodical meetings in Palmerston North of delegates from dairy companies. Their duties are to control the selling m conjunction with the brokers, one of our large financial and mercantile houses. No difficulty has been experienced in disposing of both unexportable and exportable pigs which have both realised a net figure in excess of tho already high average current in the district, It is only by having tho accumulation of supplies from a number of dairy companies that such successful results havo been secured. This is specially so with regard to export as without substantial parcels it is impossible to carry on a satisfactory export business. Under the code of conditions provision is made for substantial advances to the farmer against his pigs cm consignment, and leaving him a voice in directing whether his pigs are to go on to the local market or be sold at the discretion of the Executive. Tho scheme is so arranged that.farmers and dairy companies do not have to build a factory nor even supply a joint and several guarantee to provide funds for working. The effect of this organisation, which is worthy of every support, has' been to bring London prices within reach of the individual farmer and has kept the market this vear nearer to London parity than ever "before in the history of the Nbw Zealand Pig Industry. Tho movement is is no way antagonistic to local bacon companies, which are a boon to the country, as the Executivo aro as ready to sell to the local trade .as to ship, provided the price paid is up to tho export value. The system of grading and of payment on actual dead weight has proved far superior to the old method of buying on live weight' less percentage deduction, and introduces the most satisfactory co-opera-tive marketing yet established in New Zealand.