PROFIT IN PIGS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 205, 13 August 1932, Page 9

PROFIT IN PIGS

PRODUCTION OF PORK. YOUNG FARMERS INTERESTED Keen interest in the production of pigs and modem feeding methods is being taken by many sons of farmers in the Waikato, and distinct progress is being made by them, writes the Waikato correspondent of the “Weekly News.” One young ffiau recently drew all his savings, amounting to £3O, and invested them in twd well-bred sows and a boar. His father has allotted him an area of ground, and the young man has high hopes of securing a satisfactory return on his investment. Another young breeder who is developing a fine herd of pigs is Mr Graeme Porritt, Of Pukeroro, Cambridge. He has two pedigree boats, 10 pedigree sows, and 46 piglets. There are also ■some four crossbred sows on the farm, but Mr Porritt intends to dispose of these 'and adhere to putebreds of the one kind. Several of the sows oh the farm have done exceedingly well at local shows. Mr Porritt has evidently struck the right strain, for one line of seven porkers has been sent Home, and three have been described as nearly perfect. One was described as the ideal porker for the English consumer. The porkers were the progeny of the TamWorth boar by Hawksfrury Rufus— Ohape Stella and the Large White Tuaeke sow Lily.

SOW AND HER LITTER. The sow was mated when young and produced a litter of seven piglets, all of which were reared. For three weeks prior to farrowing the sow was fed with 21b of meat-meal daily, and was given the run of a grass pen. In addition to meal and grass, she was fed with skim milk. The sow and piglets consumed 319 gallons of skim milk and 1031 b of concentrates up to the time the piglets were eight weeks old, and at that age the piglots averaged 40.21 b in weight. At 16 weeks their average live weight Was 1201 b, their average gain in weight being 1.041 b daily. Concentrates consisting of meat-meal and.,pollard were supplied at the rate of ,531 b daily, the average cost being 4s 9Jd for the period. The return for the bigs on the basis of 4d per lb dead weight Was £9 ss, which, when the cost of £1 13s 8d for concentrates was deducted, equalled £7 Ils 4d net for the litter. The pigs consumed 1484 gallons of skim milk and the concentrates equalled I.lod per gallon of skim milk. One defect in some of the line was recognised as being due to over-feeding, and Mr Porritt is now endeavouring to correct this fault. He finds that the more experience he has with pig-breed-ing the more there is to learn. The occupation is a very interesting one, and the pig trials which are being conducted in co-operation with the Waikato Pig Recording Club add greatly to the value of the work. ANOTHER FEED TRIAL. In another feed trial conducted by Mr Porritt, a litter of six piglets,..the progenv of the same boar and another Large White sow, was reared. At eight weeks their average weight Was 38.41 b, and at 16 weeks their average ■weight iheteased to 117.61 b. They

consumed 1548 gallons of skim milk, and the cost of meal, consumed at the rate of 501 b daily, totalled £1 7s 3d, or 4s 6jd each. They realised £7 15s when sold, and the net return to their owner was £6 7s 9d. Mr Porritt has three acres subdivided into nine pent, devoted to pigs. Fine old trees and hedges provide ample shelter, and the pigs have plenty of room in which to graze. He intends to rearrange the pens by providing a central race with the pens opening on to the race. He employs the creep system, Which enables the piglets to feed Without interference from tho mother, and has had excellent success in rearing large litters. As many as 12 piglets from one farrowing have been reared successfully. The pens and open styes in the piggery are exceptionally clean, and the pigs are in a very healthy condition.