COSTS TOO HIGH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26770, 13 May 1948, Page 8

COSTS TOO HIGH

POULTRY KEEPERS UNABLE TO CONTINUE

HEAVY PRODUCTION LOSS Daily Times Special Service AUCKLAND, May 12.

Seven poultrykeepers, who between them produced more than 100,000 dozen eggs annually, had gone out of business in the last three months, stated Mr G. Elley, of Papatoetoe, who until recently was chairman of the Auckland Egg Marketing Committee. Mr Elley, who is one of the biggest poultrykeepers in the Dominion, said the high cost of fowl feed had placed the industry in a precarious position and was the reason why the egg was rapidly becoming a “museum piece.” His production in the past had been up to 100,000 dozen eggs a year, but he did not think he would reach 40,000 dozen this year. Two years ago he was getting as much wheat as he wanted at 2£d per lb, but to-day he was paying 2§d per lb for oats and barley into the bargain. The use of these alternative grains lowered production. Mash prepared to the Government formula cost £ls 16s Gd a ton, including the price of sacks, whereas two years ago producers could mix their own mash for £9 a ton.