NEW BREED OF PIG

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXI, Issue 12, 27 December 1930, Page 13

NEW BREED OF PIG

RECENT IMPORTATION INTO N.Z, Great interest and some criticism was aroused some eighteen months ago wfien a shipment of a breed of pig new to the Dominion was introduced from North America. This is a breed known as the Duroc-Jersey which is very popular throughout Nortfi America as being the ouickest growing, most prolific and most shapely pigs in that country. Althougfi only four breeders figured in the importation, they have met with a particularly keen demand for the stock from this breed and it looks as if in the course of time they will take a prominent place among the breeds of pigs now in New Zealand. A most interesting report has just been published bv “The Review of the River Plate” in regard to the pig breeds of South America and reads as follows :— “The sixth annual block test competition held under the auspices of the Argentine Pig Breeders’ Association took place in Swifts La Planta works on Friday last when there was a- representative attendance of well known figures in live stock and frigorifico circles. That highly interesting and instructive display demonstrates to breeders and others the most acceptable type of nig carcass for tho exnort trade. Swifts had arranged to have a most interesting display of the sides of bacon of the tvpc as exnorled from Denmark. Sweden and other exporting countries competing for the British market. The chamnion Wiltshire side in England enabled those interested to realise tho necessary covering of fat and fleshiness insisted on bv the Hotvo buyers. Tho ‘Swift company’s well known and hiohlv ponular canned meats and other foodstuffs elaborated in their wonderful establishment, were very tastefully arranged and much admired by the visitors . Whole carcases of nigs and others cut up as an object-lesson to distinguish the fat bad cutting up animals. Various desirable tyne of pig. from the overcuts of beef and mutton also rave the same object lesson to demonstrate tfie most acceptable, from the over-fat, wasteful beef that was ‘o difficult to sell on the Smithfield market. . When the judges designated by the freezing companies and one in representation of the producers had finished their scrutiny, it was seen that the carcases of the five Hamp-shire-Durov Jersey cross Gilts shown by Seiiors Frances O’Grady and Co. had won tho first prize, while the well known large pig breeder. Senor •Tnan C. Campion, had won reserve honours with a pen of five purebred Duroc Jersey gilts, third honours "■oing to Mr. John Nelson for Duroc Jorsevs with three barrows and two gilts.” Statistics that have also just been issued in the Argentine in regard to lhe pig breeds in South America show that the registrations for the past rear are ns follows:—Duroc-Jersey. ■’526; Berkshire. 843; while the grand total of four other breeds is 504. This '■■Peaks volumes for the satisfaction that the Duroc-Jersey is giving >n Routh America where formerly the TamWortfi and Large White were ’. -"y popular in addition to the Berkshires.