PHENOMENAL RISE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19123, 18 September 1936, Page 11

PHENOMENAL RISE

FROZEN PORK EXPORT STILL BIGGER EXPANSION DEPARTMENT PREPARING (Parliamentary Reportor.) WELLINGTON, this day. The Department of Agriculture is preparing for further expansion in the pig export industry, in which there has been a phenomenal rise during (lie past 12 years. “in 1924.” states the director-general, Mr. A. 11. 'Cockayne, in his annual report. presented to the House of Representatives last night, "the killings for export, numbered slightly fewer than 5000 carcases; 12 years later, in nine months of the 193536 season, they have exceeded 660,000 carcases, and seem likely to approximate 710,000 carcases for the complete producing season ending .September, 1036.

“Assuming export, prices of pig-pro-ducts remain constant at about the cur rent level, further substantial increases in production arc economically sound, and seem extremely probable. This may bo attributed to the fact that more and move fanners are realising that it is quite a normal performance to produce 401 b. of pig-meat (dressed weight) for every 1001 b. of butterfat produced, and that such a production l of pig-meat often may be secured without any substantial additional outlay, in equipment and material.

“The possibility of further economic expansion in pig-production gives rise to a pressing need for activity in various directions, and this activity is being undertaken or contemplated by this department. PROFITABLE. EXPANSION “In the first place, it is important to bear in mind that much profitable expansion could he based 1 simply on freer application of our present knowledge. This points to the need for a more extensive advisory service. In the second place, further expansion probably will make certain current problems of greater moment or create new problems. Hence, there is urgent need for investigation relative to certain matters so as to bo the better able to deal with the problems of the future.

“Among the matters which premise to be prolific of future problems, which are now receiving attention, and which warrant continued, and increased attention, are (1) the more effective use of dairy by-products which is likely to develop along the line of increased exploitation of pastures, pasture-equivalents, and grain crops in pig-keeping; (2) the production of carcases of the weight and type best suited to the needs of the market—this is likely to involve.an iutersiikation of tiie swing-over to the production of baconers, which is already taking place; (3) the prevention in preference to the cure of diseases and disorders, which, judging from the history if livestock ventures, is likely to become a more acute problem as our pig population becomes more dense; (4) the evolution of strains of pigs in which good' carcase type is associated with economical conversion of feed into flesh order the conditions of feeding and accommodation -which it. is economic to provide in the Dominion. “In zeal and enthusiasm about the future development of our pi'-keeping there seems at times to iio in inclination to overlook the out standing for lure of the position—this is, the innern.se and profitable scope for expansion there is along the line of better expioitation of the foundation material we already possess, both in the better ins of our pigs and in our knowledge, which, though imperfect., in some respects is nevertheless considerable.”