National Pig Industry Council

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 71, Issue 1, 16 July 1945, Page 69

National Pig Industry Council

Year’s Activities Reviewed

INVESTIGATIONS into the certification of farm seeds, chopper prices, and their end products, the establishment of whey piggeries in Taranaki, meat-meal supplies, a Stock Food Bill, preservation of curd, and the re-organisation of the National Pig Industry Council and District Pig Councils were among the activities of the National Pig Industry Council during the past year, said Mr. E. J. Fawcett, chairman, at the annual meeting of the council in Wellington recently. The executive had met five times, and a special committee advisory to the Department of Agriculture with reference to the crop subsidy scheme gave valuable assistance.

“SLAUGHTERING figures. show that O production of pigs has fallen considerably over the . past three years,” said Mr. Fawcett. “No efforts have been spared to encourage production. Progressive increases in the schedule have been made over the last two years, and representation to the Hon. Minister of Agriculture by the executive has been instrumental in obtaining further increases in the price, one in May and one again in November.” . The weight’range for baconers had been raised to 2001 b., and imported stock feeds had been subsidised to keep prices to pig-producers at an economic level. Because of the shortage of stock feeds from overseas, the crop subsidy scheme, was introduced. Nevertheless, in spite of these advan-' tages, pig killings continue to fall. The position for the four years, ended March, was as follows: — .

but had been happening over the past three years, and indicated the producer’s desire to meet the demand for the particular class of pig-meat most suitable for present-day trade requirements. It was not surprising, therefore, that pig numbers were down, for it must be obvious that in the effort to meet the market for baconers it was not possible to carry the same number of pigs. . “Nevertheless, we must not lose sight of the fact that the target for the season ending September, 1946, is 50,000 tons, which means a considerable increase on the past season’s production. of 41,900 tons. ' . . “The position for September, 1945, cannot be viewed as encouraging. For the six months ended March, 1945, killings by comparison with the same period last year are down by 62,000 carcasses. With the approach of winter and the corresponding re-

Slaughterings for:— No. of Total Year. Sows. Kill. Bacon. Pork. Choppers. 1941 .. 100,400 986,985 505,478 433,068 48,439 1942 91,300 1,002,211 414,017 553,818 34,376 <1943 .. 82,000 839,882 410,561 392,996 36,325 1944 ‘ ... .. 77,300 726,282 421,947 281,153 23,182 1945 .. .. 80,000, 678,834 481,195 177,859 19,780

“The most noticeable aspect of last season’s ' production, apart from the decrease of over 47,000 in the number of pigs slaughtered, is the phenomenal increase in the baconers killed, which exceeds the previous season by more than 59,000, and has resulted in raising the weight of pig-meats produced . by nearly 500 tons,” the chairman -- continued. This increase in bacon production was not peculiar to the past season,

duction. in killings, it is unlikely that production will reach the September, 1944, figure. While the production of baconers has again increased over this period by 15,200 carcasses, tonnage of pig-meats cannot be increased or even maintained unless the slaughtering of baconers is still further encouraged over the next six months. The forecast for the year ending September, 1945, is 700,000 carcasses, as against 741,000 in 1944.”

Due to the encouragement given through the crop subsidy scheme, the effects of which cannot be shown until 1946, an improvement in production was to be expected by March next. District Pig Councils were to be congratulated on the efficient manner in which they had handled the administration of the scheme, which had run very smoothly, due to the efficient set-up in the beginning. . As the position of imported grain feeds was still, in some doubt, the continuance of the crop subsidy scheme was still the only solution to increased production of pig-meats, and War Cabinet had approved the continuance of a subsidy on crops for 1946. The conditions were to be on the same, basis as had been in operation for 1944-45. The scheme would again be administered by District Pig Councils. That many producers were quick to grasp the advantages was evident by the fact that 5,250 farmers had made claims under the scheme, involving some 23,000 acres of mixed crops. Approximately one-third of this area was in respect to grain crops barley, maize, and peas —representing 9,000 to 10,000 tons of high-quality feed, which was half the total grain imported ■ for pig production in the previous season. With winter feed supplies assured, there should be no difficulty in reaching' the target of 50,000 tons of pig-meats for the season ending September, 1946. ' -producers should have confidence, and expand,” said Mr. Fawcett. “Expansion does not necessarily mean an increase in breeding stock, although this would be desirable. An improvement in the number of pigs slaughtered per sow from 8.8 to 10.5, a figure which was reached in 1941, would improve slaughterings by more than 150,000 pigs. With a continuance of the trend for bacon production there should be no difficulty in reaching our target.” Among other important matters dealt with by the executive was the embargo on the export of liver-meal. A deputation comprising members of the executive and representatives of the Poultry and Dairy Boards waited on the Hon. Minister of Agriculture to discuss this and the introduction of a Stock Food Bill. The Minister gave full support to the action taken by the Primary Industries Controller regarding the embargo on liver-meal, but felt that, with the present short-

age of imported stock foods, the time was not opportune for the introduction of a Stock Food Bill, although he agreed to have the matter looked into. National Instruction Service Reports from the nine District Pig Councils indicated a continued interest in the pig industry. This was borne out by the greater number of baconers produced, which entailed better accommodation and facilities for the longer feeding period, and a very noticeable improvement was evident in all districts as a result of the instruction and advice given by District Pig Council Supervisors. This instructional service alone, apart from other advantages, warranted the introduction of the 3d. per pig levy. During the past 8 years approximately £70,000 had been collected from this source, and it had been the means of returning to the farmer, by way of increased prices, subsidy on stock feeds, increased weight range for baconers, special schedule for winter pigs, and crop subsidy, something like £500,000. Because of decreased killings, the returns from the 3d. per pig levy would fail to meet current expenses. Although a substantial credit was shown in the National Pig. Industry Council’s account, Mr. Fawcett said he felt that this should not be drawn ' on too heavily, as it would be some time before pig killings, and consequently the funds of the council, increased.

Mr. Keiller said he wished to congratulate the chairman on a report which he considered the best and most informative they had had presented to them. He thought one of the most important events of the year was the meeting with Mr. Chisholm, the newly-appointed London manager of the Meat Board. He was sure nothing but good could come of it, and also that the pig industry was fortunate in having a man of Mr. Chisholm’s experience in all matters of pig-meat marketing. The table • showing the total number of pigs killed for, the year was most informative. It was, perhaps, depressing to see that for the last 4 years we had gone steadily downhill, but on the other hand it was pleasing to note that we were about 500 tons of pigmeat up on the kill of last year. This, while being detrimental to the finances of the council, was very good indeed, as it was weight and not so much numbers that was the all-important factor in an all-out war-effort. Bacon pigs killed more than justified the action of the Pig-meats Advisory Committee in prohibiting the sale of pork on the local market. This undoubtedly was mainly responsible for the great swing-over from pork to bacon. The crop subsidy scheme, unfortunately, was not made as much use of by farmers as had been hoped, but as it was continuing for a further 12 months, he was sure that there would be a much larger

response when farmers who held back saw what benefit others who did take it on derived from the scheme. We did not know, and could not tell until March of next year, what effect the crop subsidy scheme would have on our total kill for the year ending March, 1946, but he was sure there were more pigs in the country now than there were this time last year, and the indications were that there were more sows, which was most important of all. The introduction of the 3d. levy on all pigs slaughtered to provide funds to operate the District Councils had proved of immense benefit to the pigfarmer, who has received his levy back many times over -in numerous ways, said Mr. Keiller. The council’s financial position was most disappointing, but of course that was only to be expected with fewer pigs being killed each year. It was up to the District Councils to do their utmost to secure a steady improvement. from now on, and in the meantime a smaller annual allocation per council must be expected this year. In conclusion Mr. Keiller said he wished to pay a tribute, to the Department of Agriculture, and in particular to the officers of the Livestock Division, who had always been courteous and considerate. t He did not think the many little ways that the Department had contributed to the financial assistance of the' council were generally realised.

1941. 1942. 1943. 1944. 1945. Average Weight. Pig-meat. Average I Weight. | Pig-meat. Average Weight. Pig-meat. Average Weight. Pig-meat. Average 1 Weight. | Pig-meat. lb. tons. lb. | tons. lb. tons. lb. tons. lb. | tons. Pork 80 .15,500 83 . I 19,000 85 15,000 88 11,043 89 1 7,064 Bacon 140 31,580 141 . 25,000 144 25,000 147 \ 27,642 151 32,510 Choppers 240 4,900 240 | 3,300 240 3,600 260 2,692 260 I 2,300 51,980 " - I 47,300 47,300 43,600 43,600 41,377 41,874 ■ 41,377 I 41,874

WEIGHT OF PIG-MEATS PRODUCED.