THE PIG INDUSTRY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7078, 16 March 1910, Page 5

THE PIG INDUSTRY

CAUSE OF THE RISK IN VALUES. BRITISH DEMAND WEAKENS LOCAL SUPPLIES. The rise in the value of pigs has 'brought about a revival in the industry in this island which is as gratifying as ; t is welcome. It was rcot altogether unexpected, as it v/as natural that when the opportunity afforded by the exceptional demand from Dritain was taken advantage of tho loca'. markets would feel tho effect of tho depleted supplies, and, finding pigs scarce, would have to pay more for these than they have been doing. The unexampled shortage of pigs at Home

came at a most favourable time for New Zealand producers, and offered an outlet for our surplus which may never occur again. The shipments mado to Britain, probably not more than five thousand carcases in all—frozen carcases for bacon purposes as well as porkers—has been quite sufficient for our purposes. It must not be imagined, however, that the outlet provided by the Home market has meant a profitable transaction. Colonial and Home ideas of pig values are at distinct variance. It is sufficient to know that the Home market has been able to absorb our surplus without a loss to shippers. There are other reasons besides the absorption of the surplus production leading to better values. Due in part to the cessation of the Christchurch Meat Company's curing operations, the trade of Wellington curers has extended within the Dominion; then the lower values of this season have to some extent increased th© consumption of bacon; while the advent of cooler weather has to some extent extended tho use of meat foods. It is satisfactory for the time being to know that there can hardly be any reduction on present values; that is, taking the probable supply and the anticipated demand into consideration. The trade, however, has reached such a stage that growers must look to present prices being about the general level of value in the future. The position must be faced that the number of pigs being produced in the Dominion means that there will be a surplus annually available for export, so that the high prices of the past cannot be expected to rule, for values on local markets must more and more approximate with prices ruling on the world markets.

One gratifying result from the present advance in Values js that growers are being encouraged to top / off thoir baconers, thereby offering to curers a much more valuable raw product. Within the last week the sales of succrosine alone have advanced a hundred per cent. This suggests tho reflection that the most unsatisfactory feature of the past season has been the neglect of growers to top off, especially in the southern districts of this island. In the Waikato, on the other hand, tho bulk of the pigs have been suitable for the manufacture of a highclass bacon, because the skim-milk has been fortified by solid food. If the North Island! farmer would only top off properly there would be nothing to approach the pigs he produces from a quality view-point. The pig fed on skim-milk or whey, especially when these residual products are pasteurised, makes a very sweet-fleshed animal, but the flesh is wasteful, and, therefore, unprofitable to th© consumer, unless tbo animal has been topped off. The skim-milk topped-off pig is declared to be distinctly superior to the -so-called grain-fed pig of_ Canterbury, which does not receive skim-milk, and is principally fed on stubble and what it can pick up in the field.

The great weakness in the pig business is the erratic manner in which it is generally pursued by our farmers. Pigs are only reared when the demand and markets call for them. When once the- demand slackens, or the rearing of calves Dromises a better return', they are neglected. Tho farmer can hardly be blamed for giving his attention to that which offers the best value, but he must suffer in the long run by this policy of vacillation. No advancement in an industry can be expected unless a definite line of ac<

tion is followed. A leading firm of local curers declares that it has an extended outlet for pig products. The opportunity thus afforded for extension of the industry can only, however, be availed of if growers will provide the pigs. There is a good future before the pig industry, but the essential consideration in the development of any modern undertaking—the raw material of the right quality—must be available.