PIG INDUSTRY.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18778, 28 October 1932, Page 2

PIG INDUSTRY.

A SPECIAL COMMITTEE. ORDANUIiNB FORWARD STEP. SYSTEM OF GRADING. 'A speol&l Pig Industry Committee Is to be set up by the Department of Agriculture to carry out an investigation Into all aspects of the industry. “ While our sheep and dairy industries liavfe progressed steadily for years past and the volume of exports derived from them has shown a marked increase, the pig industry has made little or no real progress, and to-day, as was the case ten years ago, pigs are regarded mainly as a means of using up dairy by-products and nothing more," states the annual report of the Director-General of Agriculture, Dr. C. J. Reakes. “ Yet New Zealand is eminently adapted for pig-production on a large scale, our pork has a good reputation in British markets, and a much greater quantity Could have been exported without any fear of over-supply, It has always'been difficult to Understand why New Zealand farmers, Who in most respects are quick in adopting improved and progressive methods In production and marketing, have failed to make use of their opportunities for building up a large export trade in pork, in spite of the efforts made by adviCe and general propaganda to induce them to do so. “ The food question has iio doubt been a factor in this, but the Cost involved by the purchase of foodstuffs could be largely avoided If more pig provelidfer wCtfe produced on the farm itself. A further point is that in meatmeal, now a well-prepared article, a large supply Of highly concentrated food is available in the Dominion at a Very reasonable cost, considering Its high feeding value. In combination With roots, it makes a well-balanced food on which pigs do well. Certainly, of iatc years, tlife type Of pig produced has shown some improvement and a greater interest in pig-productioh Is noticeable. The establishment Of a Pig Recording Club ih the Waikato (assisted by a grant from the Meat Boal’d) was a progressive move, and it is hoped that similar organisations may be established in other dairying districts. \ “ With a view to organising a definite forward step In pork production, arrangements are ih hand for setting up a Special Pig Industry Committee to go fully into all aspects of the industry ahd assist” in bringing about a large expansion of it oh sound lines. This body is composed of representatives of the meat khd dairy boards, Massey ahd Lincoln Colleges, bacon companies, pig-breeders, the Farmers' Union, the Waikato Pig Recording Cllib, ahd tile Research and Agriculture Departments. Its deliberations and recommendations should prove of great value, and it may be noted that lt3 members give their services free of any cost whatever to the Government, " One important matter for discussion by the committee is the establishment of a properly organised system of grading of pigs, whether intended for export or for local consumptioh through the medium of bacon factories and recommendations regarding this will be submitted in due course. SuCh a system would go far toward establishing improvement both in type and quality, for Which there is plenty of scope. The co-operatioh Of freezing companies and others concerned is confidently anticipated, as, though for the time being tiie overseas market for bacon pigs is Unprofitable, there is so good an opportunity for considerably expanding our export of pigs of the porker typo that it should be taken advantage of to the fullest extent attainable."