ENG-1965 — Page 98

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PRIMARY PRODUCTION

and advisory services. During the year the pig artificial insemination service was further expanded and over 4,083 sows were inseminated with a total conception rate of 88.8 per cent and a first service conception rate of 76.4 per cent. In 1965 320,000 pigs of local origin were slaughtered in local abattoirs, compared with some 440,000 in 1964. The figure represented more than 14 per cent of the total number of pigs slaughtered. The value of pig production during the year amounted to some $38.4 million.

As part of the United States 'Food for Peace' programme, the United States Government has donated a substantial quantity of feed grain to assist Hong Kong's pig raising industry by providing feed at reduced prices, thereby allowing farmers to improve their methods of production and raise the quality of their stock. This scheme is being operated in Hong Kong by an organization called 'Operation Feedbag' Limited in close co-operation with the Agricul- ture and Fisheries Department and the New Territories Administra- tion. During the year, 'Operation Feedbag' concentrated its activities in the southern district of the New Territories and had commenced operations in the northern part of Tai Po district by the end of the year.

Many of the larger poultry farmers are now producing their own hatching eggs and this is important in helping to stabilize the industry, which produced $50 million worth of poultry this year. In the wetter areas ducks and geese are raised for home consumption and for export. The rearing of ducks and geese for the local market has become increasingly important in recent years and was worth about $7.5 million this year. Pigeon-keeping is a thriving industry and prices in 1965 averaged $8 for a pair of squabs. The total value of squabs marketed during the year was estimated at $3.2 million. The most popular types of table birds are the white or blue king crossed with the homer.

Local brown cattle and buffaloes are kept for work purposes and surplus stock is sold for slaughter. Chinese brown cattle are partic- ularly well suited to the local environment and management. The dairy cattle in Hong Kong are mainly Friesians and are kept in isolation on one large farm on Hong Kong Island and in smaller farm groups on the outskirts of Kowloon and in the New Terri- tories. All dairy animals are regularly tested and must pass the single intradermal (comparative) test for tuberculosis. During 1965,