BACON PIGS WANTED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 227, 26 September 1942, Page 4

BACON PIGS WANTED

APPEAL TO PRODUCERS “Increased consumption of pig meats by the Armed Forces provides a new outlet for local supplies, and there is urgent necessity for an immediate increase in the production of bacon pigs.” states the Department of Agriculture. “Stocks in store at the present time are low, but are likely to be sufficient to meet the demand for local supplies of bacon during the next few months."

Farmers are urged to increase the weight ot pigs as much as possible, and those catering for the pork trade are advised to turn their attention to bacon production. The department adds that while this may be difficult to producers who have set their programmes for pork supply, a real war effort is necessary.

“If an additional 201 b, were put on every pig slaughtered, we would just about reach the required tonnage,” the department states.

Full use should be made of existing feed supplies and no dairy by-products should be wasted. The feed barley position is said to be very favourable to increased production. Stocks on hand amount to 45,000 bushels of barley, and 350,000 bushels of Australian barley were purchased recently by the Government. In addition, a drive is being undertaken to grow 6000 acres of feed barley in the North Island.

“The most urgent requirement now,” the statement adds, “is supplementary crops to provide bulk feed for the late summer and autumn litters. This is essential if we are to avoid selling pigs at unsatisfactory weights and prices in the autumn."