THE PORK INDUSTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3832, 23 August 1927, Page 22

THE PORK INDUSTRY.

INCREASED ATTENTION FROM FARMERS. WANGANUI, August 19. The pork industry for export purposes is now claiming more attention. Farmers are not only building up large herds, but better breeding is receiving attention. A few miles from Wanganui a special pig farm has been’established. The herd consists of over 200 pedigree pigs, all breeds being represented. About 20 acres are utilised, and most of the feed required is grown on the farm. Farmers generally consider that the Government should assist with the £40,000 subsidy which is being applied for to put into operation a stabilisation scheme. The matter was discussed at the meeting of the Awahuri Dairy Company. One speaker, in urging the support of some stabilisation scheme, pointed out that although local sales had brought 5d per | lb last season compared with 3d by exporters those who had refrained from exporting had directly benefited by the fact that some 50,000 pigs had been taken off the market. Unless that surplus was again got rid of on the foreign markets, the speaker explained, there would be a slump locally. The Paterson scheme was operating successfully in Australia, and something similar was required in New Zealand to meet the situation. It has been suggested that a levy of id per pig killed in the Dominion should be imposed, which, while assisting towards the export

trade, would automatically raise the price of the article sold locally. A recommendation was sent forward to tlie directors that serious consideration should be given to a scheme for the encouragement of the export trade in pigs. CANTERBURY CRAIN AND PRODUCE MARKET. CHRISTCHURCH. August 19. The easing in the potato demand recorded on Tuesday last has steadied up, and values are practically at the basis of the week-end report—£s for August, and £5 7s 6d to £5 10s for September. Buyers are now offering £5 for the Katoa and Kurow shipments, which are booked to leave at the beginning of next week instead of this week. Potatoes are coming forward somewhat too freely to permit of a pronounced market being advanced, but there is a fairly general confidence that in the later stages of the season there will be an appreciable advance. A feature is the demand for Dakotas, which have I been making up to £4 15s, on trucks, for the few that are available. The continued wet season in England has attracted attention from that quarter for seeds, notably cowgrass. A fair. quantity of good quality seed has been disposed of at £5 7s 6d to £5 10s a cwt, but the home trade is not responding to _ any advance on these figures. It is satisfactory, however, that this outlet is developing. Home buyers are showing no interest in white clover. Machine-dressed perennial ryegrass is quoted in the south at 3s 9d a bushel, f.0.b., 5.i.,. or about 2s 6d ° n trucks. Sales of A Gartons have taken place at 3s 2d, f.0.b.. s.i., Lyttelton, and B’s at 2s llsd. However, there are

inquiries from Australia, and although there is no business at present values, the inquiry is investing the future with a shade more brightness. Chaff is weak, the prospects of export not being so bright in this commodity. The f.0.b., s.i. price is £5 _ss, and the ontruck at midway stations is £3 7s 6d._ Wheat is scarcely so firm, though prices are unaltered. Tuscan is worth 6s Id to 6s 2d, on trucks, and Hunters 6s 4d to 6s sd.