PIG BREEDERS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 227, 23 August 1928, Page 8

PIG BREEDERS.

MEETING OF DISTRICT BRANCH.

A meeting of the Manawatu-Oroua branch of the Now Zealand Rig Breeders’ Association was held this morning, Mr J. A. Russell presiding. Also present wero Messrs J. McFarland, A. G. Dear, M. Richardspn, H. E. Ficldhousc, A. Yardloy, and E. Nielsen (secretary). Apologies for absence were received from Messrs Prouse, 11. Dalzicll. H. E. Thurston, W. P. Bickers and T. F. Shepperd. . The New Zealand Association wrote advising that its council was undertaking the publishing of Professor Riddet’s report on tlie Winter Show bacon classes and asking that it bo forwarded as soon as possible. It was also stated that the branch had been given power to enroll members from tno Hawke’s Bay district and it was hoped that tho step would bring the Manawatu Association in closer touchy with tlic Hawke’s Bay breeders. The New Zealand Council also supported tho contention that' it was desirable 1p have moro than one judge for five breeds of purebred pigs at A. and P. ! sho\vs. It was decided to write to tho secretary of tho combined A. and P. associations stating that the branch was of tho opinion that the time had arrived when there should bo more than ono judge for pigs at the larger shows. It was decided to invito representatives of the various bacon companies to meet the branch members with a view to obtaining bettor prices for topped off pigs. Mr Russell was lof tho opinion that it was also possible that a better arrangement, of Homo market pooling could bo finalised. The general opinion was that tho breedc*vs should be paid on quality and that thero was ample room for improved prices.

TESTING SCHEME,

Professor Riddet, of the Massey Agricultural College, attended tho meeting and dealt briefly with the college pig testing scheme. This had been in operation since July, lie stated, and already some 500 sows were being tested, a number of which had farrowed. Weighing had also been carried out, and tlio testing officer had reported very favourably. Thero had not been much ,over-lapping in tho scheme and if the officer’s time could bo devoted to weighing, all the information required could he obtained. There was a slight difficulty in connection with marking, and he believed that the tag was tlic best method. A good typo of tag did not fall out, and there was no trouble through festering. If the tags were used, each pig, on arrival at the freezers or factories, could be identified by its number and very useful information oould he gathered. However, owing to the cost, ear-marking had to bo resorted to, and under this scheme it was possible to reach only 300 without complications. Tho system adopted was to go from one upwards on each farm. The animals would be marked with a distinct car-mark for each .farm, which would avoid mistakes. It was not so desirable as the tag method, which would have been adopted had finance been sufficient. It was ppssiblo that the bacon factories might contribute towards the cost of tho tags, as they were keen on getting bettor class animals, and in that they wore being assisted. If it were possible to" got a tacit understanding for each firm to make notes concerning the various pigs, extremely valuable information would he obtained, such as the relation of fat to meat, streakiness and shrinkage. It was also intended, concluded the speaker, to take tho girth and length pf tlic pigs at various ages and to later compare them with tho sire and dam. In answer to a question, Professor Riddett said that tho pigs already weighed as weaners and sold before they were fat would be still looked after and tested under the scheme. GENERAL.

Following a discussion, Messrs Russell, Neilscn, Bickers, Dear and Shcpperd wore appointed a sub-committeo to discuss details of next year’s live and dead weight competitions, held at the spring and winter shows, with representatives of the various bacon factories and the Massoy College authorities at a round table conference. It was also decided to hold a sale of purebred animals on tho second day of the Royal Show in Palmerston North. A suggestion by Mr Fieldhouso that the purchaser should have some guarantee) of the animal being in pig, if were sold as such, was carried and it was decided to request tho auctioneers to announce tho fact.