BACON FOR EXPORT

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 28 January 1927, Page 6

BACON FOR EXPORT

SEARCH FOR BEST BREED OF PIG.

merits of large white. (To the Editor.) Sir, —In last Saturday’s issue is an article denouncing Die “Lai go Whites.” it is quite apparent at fcne present time that few people know anything about this breed, and no one ye if knows whether they will be, as suitable in this country as they have proven to be in other countries. The Dreed will rise or fall according to its suitability to New Zealand farming conditions. ’There is no question tnat it will produce a most suitable class ot pijr for the Old Country’s requirements. 'New Zealand produces,lamb second to none on the English market, and it is the Southdown breed of sheep that lias done tins as a Southown ram crossed with any other breed of sheep produces a. first-class fat lamb, provided it is well feci. The Large White boar will" produce a good pig when crossed with any other breed. In these days it is quality that secures the best mar-k-t whether it be lamb, dairv produce, beef or pork. New Zealand beef export trade is gone simply because it cannot economically produce the quality oi to compete with the Argentine, and if New Zealand is going to build up ah export trade, in pork or bacon pigs, her first- consideration must be the quality that is required in the Old Country. . In a leaflet recently issued by Messrs Marsh and Baxter, Ltd., the largest firm ot bacon-curers in England, and piobabv in the world, they state: “Of the numerous pure breeds ot' pigs kept in this country (England) the ‘Large White’ most nearly approaches the ideal bacon pig.” And on the subject of ciosses which they recommend it is important to note that the “Large White” figures first in every case, and in everv case they recommend the use of the “Large White” boar. A’,so in a pamphlet on “Bacon Pigs, Messrs L. and T. Harris, Ltd., Carlyle,_ emphasise the value of the Large White pig. They recommend the use of the Large White boar in every case for crossing. Also in +bo Middesex and Bucks A-dver-r is 2 i* January. 1926, is a notice issued bv the Western Bacon Curers’ Association. advocating the use of the Large White boar “in order to give curers a better opportunity of competing with the large quantities of bacon which sire imported from I)eiims»rk, in. winch country all pigs are produced from orie first cross i.e., the Large White boai with the Danish sow. It is considered the crossing of the Large White with any of the English breeds very materially improves that breed from tlie cure-r’-s point of view, but the curer’s opinion is that the Large Black. Middle WTiite and Berkshire -sows give the- best results.” This, Mr Editor, is the expressed opinion of some of the -leading bacon curers of England (our future clients ii we are wise to their requirements), and surely in the face of this evidence the Large White merits a fair trial in this country. Now, Mr Stewart asks on whose authority the Meat Board recommend this breed. The Meat Board stated, “After careful investigation, it recommended the Large W hite.” The-Meat Board is at present doing, everything possibl e to assist the export of pigs, and already has -secured concessions for growers; on the railways and .steamers, and have in this way got the costs oi exporting reduced by about 10s per head from what they used to be. I think we may accept their report. “After careful investigation.” it is not likely they are going to favour, any breed, but give an unbiased opinion with no other intention than the a.ssistng of export of pigs and, incidentally, also assisting the dairy farmer. Danish Experience.

With regard to Denmark, Mr R. E. Alexander, Director of Lincoln College, is quoted as saying the Danes have found the Large White unsuitable. _ 1 have in my possession an article written by P. ‘A. Morkelberg, Agricultural Expert to the Danish Government. The article was published last year. Among other things, he says: —“The first- -step was a careful, investigation as to the most profitable means of production, li was found that farmers who had crossed their Danish Land race, sows with the boar of the Large White breed had been the most .successful. This cross would produce pigs that would reach 2001bs or thereabouts at an early age, and yield bacon of the finest quality. . . With the Large White we always endeavour to follow the same standard for the breed as is required in England.” Speaking about the two breeds at the experimental stations, he says: “As regards food consumption, the difference is negligible, both breeds showing satisfactory returns. The difference is in the quality of bacon. The Large Whites have better hams', better hellv, more firmness and greater firmness of head, and finer bone and skin than the Landrace.” We thus .see the Danes themselves admit the quality of their bacon is -largelv due to the influence of the Large White. Your leading “local breed,cu” is confusing the “Middle White’ with the “Large White,” and as to the early maturity of the Large White, not equalling other breeds, 1 may state the average live weight of my Large Whites at three months was 130 lbs. and tlie only one weighed at .four months, a boar, weighed JBolbs. Also Mr Editor. 1 may state that out of my six nearest neighbours who have watelied the growth, of mv whites, four have definitely plaeedK orders for breeding stock and the remaining two. have asked to be given an opportunity •to procure Large Whites when their present breeding -stock needs replenishing. This local opinion carries a great deal of weight, as these six men have had considerable experience with pigs, and have watched the “Large Whites” carefully for the past five or six months. T have endeavoured to place the true facte before the public, and hope by neoting my authorities on the Large White to -how that the Largo White really merits a trial. let if -not be thought the writer wishes in any way to belittle the Berk-shii’p-Tnmwnrth. hut what- the Large Whit*" him done and is doing in other countries it will surely do here, and in a few venrs> time the Large White will have estabh’shecl itself in New Zealand on the- merits of its hardiness, quality and early maturity and wi,',l need no boosting from anyone. —T am ete., O. ROBERT? 3 ON. Matnpu. Tan. 27.