EGG PRODUCTION

Southland Times, Issue 25484, 3 October 1944, Page 6

EGG PRODUCTION

EXPERT ON FUTURE OF INDUSTRY (Special) PALMERSTON N., October 2. Poultry farming in wartjjne, when Government subsidies encourage the maximum production of eggs for use by the armed forces, has been favourable for established producers; but caution in entering such an industry in the peacetime to come should be exercised by those many persons, exservicemen and civilians alike, whose wartime experiences have caused them to look to the land for a freer- and healthier mode of living.

This is the opinion of Mr J. H. Kissling, manager of the poultry department of Massey Agricultural College. In an interview Mr Kissling said that a note of warning must underlie his statement that the future for the industry looked brighter than ever before. It appeared that, for those who became established in the industry in pre-war years, and who were working their farms on a family unit basis, profits over the last few years had been good. The keen demand had permitted sales of eggs at full retail prices, with consumers collecting their quotas from the farms themselves. Meat rationing had increased the value of surplus cockerels and old hens, and the demand for day-old chicks and stud stock provided a profitable source of income. Again, the need for eggs for the main centres of New Zealand resulted in freight subsidies being paid on eggs from country districts, plus more recently the 3d subsidy on all eggs marketed through recognized egg floors. While conditions today were favourable for those established in the poul-try-farming business, they were not so attractive to the beginner, who found building costs almost double the normal rates, even if materials could be secured. DIFFICULT CONDITIONS

“For their part egg producers are doing their best today,” added Mr Kissling. “Many are working very long hours under most difficult conditions. Efforts are being made to improve egg marketing through the establishment of co-operative egg floors in association with dairy produce marketing. The New Zealand Poultry Board is actively engaged on plans for assisting the industry, and in particular for organizing producers and ensuring ample supplies of poultry foodstuffs. When times return to normal it is hoped that feed prices will be lower, or that some form of subsidy is instituted to permit poultry farmers to produce both eggs and table poultry at a ’reasonable wage-in-come, yet at a price low enough to allow the public to enjoy these foods, not as a luxury, but as a common change of diet. “The acute egg shortage in our main ports has made both the public and the politicians egg-conscious. It is easy, to swing from under-production to over-prodyction when no profitable export market ri in view. Recent history should indicate that in normal times profits from commercial egg production are problematical, being dependent to a large extent on special ability and sideline sales. Those assisting the industry now wish to correct previous weaknesses. Many favour additional small poultry units on mixed farms as a solution; others consider that the larger commercial poultrymen, who specialize and know their work, should be given more favourable conditions.”