H.—29

Tuberculosis.—The number of pigs slaughtered for the season 1937-38 at registered premises was 1,085,107. Those slaughtered on holdings and examined at butchers' shops numbered 23,08], making a total of 1,108,188, an increase of 20,190 over last year's figures. In addition, approximately 20,000 pigs are slaughtered annually on farms and consumed thereon, bringing the total estimated slaughterings to approximately 1,128,188. Of 1,079,895 coming under inspection, 198,772 carcasses were found to be affected in varying degrees with tuberculosis, the percentage of infection being 18-41, an increase of 0-08 per cent, as compared with last year. Meat-export works, 883,080 ; abattoirs ; 173,734; ordinary slaughterhouses, 28,293 ; shops, 23,081 : total, 1,108,188. Suipestifer Infection. —This disease is responsible for considerable mortality in young pigs. Improved sanitation and shelter, with improvements to drainage and general conditions of cleanliness, are being constantly advised. Improved feeding standards also assist in overcoming the infection. Experimental vaccination against this condition with a vaccine prepared at Wallaceville is being tried on a farm in the Waikato. Pleurisy.—ln connection with examination of pig-carcasses at meat-export works, Mr. Collins, District Superintendent, Auckland, remarks : — " There has been a reduction in the number of pigs rejected for export on account of pleurisy. This is very gratifying and indicates that more care is being taken in housing and general management." Sarcoptic Mange.—Outbreaks of this disease occurred during the year both in the North and South Islands. In each instance the adoption of the necessary eradication measures were successful. Swine Erysipelas. —Three cases of the chronic form of this disease were diagnosed during the year. The condition is extremely rare in New Zealand. Necrotic Ulceration of the Skin.—This condition still continues to cause rejection of a number of pig-carcasses on inspection. It is definitely an indication of faulty pig-management and should be eliminated by improvement in this direction. Rejection of Pig-carcasses for Export.—During the year a considerable decrease in the number of carcasses rejected for export because of such conditions as might be considered due to bad management generally has taken place in the Auckland district. This is a very encouraging position to record. Swine Husbandry. The report of Mr. M. J. Scott, Superintendent of the Swine Industry, deals very comprehensively with the work which has been attempted during the year in connection with the development of the swine industry, and I submit same hereunder : — " Further progress in the pig industry has been made in the 1937-38 season by the introduction of the national scheme of instruction commenced in August, 1937, and by the introduction of grading of baconers commenced in February, 1938. These, along with the recording of pedigree sows introduced in October, 1936, mark the beginning of an attempt on the part of the Department of Agriculture to organize the industry, and give a service additional to that already given individually by the field officers of the Department. There still remains the necessity of providing some means whereby better-quality breeding-pigs can be discovered, and the necessity of discovering which, if any, breed or cross could be used with advantage to replace our present mixed pig population. Departmental attention could be given to these matters in the near future if the producers are satisfied that such a service is necessary. " Progress of thp Industry.—The present status and past development of the industry is set out in the following table : —

Ihe table showy the continued increase 111 total killings for the last year. This amounts in numbers to about 2-6 per cent, only, but in actual weight of meat the increase is nearer 6 per cent., due to the increase in the number of baconers and to a falling-off in porkers, the position having now been reached that more than half the total production consists of pigs of bacon weight—i.e., greater than 121 lb. carcass. There is a slight reduction in the number of sows, and this, combined with the increase in total slaughterings, has increased the killings per sow till it now stands at the satisfactory .figure of 10-7. The 1928 figure was approximately 5-7. This figure is perhaps the best single criterion of the state of the industry.

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Y Number of Sows ! Total Pigs killed, at 31st January. , J® a c r e "' iin § As Baconers. As Porkers. J | 30th September. 1928 .. .. .. 83,103 476,828 .237,960 238,868 1929 .. .. .. 74,692 518,025 247,292 270,733 1930 .. .. .. 61,706 515,428 255,758 259,670 1931 .. .. .. 64,981 525,286 212,206 313,080 1932 .. .. .. 75,409 474,094 207,096 266,998 1933 87,686 635,282 243,820 391,462 1934 .. .. .. 98,299 784,952 313,135 471,817 1935 .. .. .. 111,793 936,700 346,948 589,752 1936 .. .. .. 116,058 1,091,845 427,178 664,667 1937 .. .. .. 112,921 1,120,905 494,000 626,905