FATTENING PIGS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21646, 6 May 1940, Page 11

FATTENING PIGS

SHORTAGE OF POLLARD In view of the difficulty of obtaining feed to fatten pigs and the high price charged for pollard it was agreed at the annual meeting of the Temuka branch of the Farmers’ Union that Messrs L. V. Talbot and A. J. Davey should make representations to the Wheat Committee which meets on Thursday, with a view to formulating plans to ease the situation!. A reply to an earlier letter concerning the position was received from the Wheat and Flour Controller (Mr R. Robbins), who said that because of a sudden shortage due to drought conditions in Australia and because the mills there were working short time, supplies of pollard in New Zealand were short of the demand. In view of this shortage of supplies, early steps had been taken to ensure that the poultry industry was protected as far as possible because this industry had no alternative feeding stuff. Tlie pig industry had an alternative and had been supplied with barley imported into the North Island. It was assumed by those responsible that the pig feeder in tire South Island would secure plentiful supplies of other pig feeds so that it would be unnecessary to import barley to the South Island, but so far nothing had happened. The matter was still being pressed, said Mr Robins, and they hoped that very soon supplies of suitable pig feeding stuff would be imported from Australia. The Australian position was not easing, and in the last two days they had bought 1050 tons of Australian pollard for shipment between May and July. “The Government is asking farmers to fatten pigs but the pollard with which they have to be fed was too dear," said Mr F. South. The Government gave only £4/10/- to the miller for the pollard, but the farmer could not buy it under £7/5/-. He thought they should press for some reduction so that they could fatten their pigs. The farmers are prepared to fatten bacon pigs provided they can fatten them economically, said Mr A. Johnston, who seconded the motion that the Union seek a reduction in price.