THE PIG INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 269, 13 October 1932, Page 5

THE PIG INDUSTRY.

BREEDERS’ AND FATTENERS’ COLUMN. The crux of the whole position of successful pig breeding rests with the breeder of purcbrod pigs, to whom the working farmer looks ,for the animal which will meet his needs most profitably. In this connection both tho boar and the sow must be of the typo conforming to trade requirements and also possess inherent stamina and constitution. THE BREEDING SOW. When purchasing foundation sows the purchaser should know something of their sires and dams and inspect them if possible. To bo profitable, sows must be prolific, hence they should be selected from a large, healthy litter. They , should also bo large and roomy in body, otherwise they cannot transmit to their progeny the quality of rapid growth. , Such progeny can be fattened sufficiently when growing as the present market demands lean moat rather than lard. Less finish is required, but greater length ot body and legs. This new type is not a beautiflul one by any stretch of imagination, but the requirements of tho market must be mot. The type required has a strong, evenly arched top line, smooth sides and shoulders, uniform width, and heavy hams. Although quality is required size must not be sacrificed. A good size combined with quality should be the aim. The hair is one indication of quality—it should not be coarse, heavy, or curly. A brood sow must have a strong constitution, the indications of which are an alert, vigorous appearance; deep wide chest, body deep and well filled behind the shoulders, broad head, bright eyo, wide snout. A profitable sow is able to suckle a large litter, for which work she must possess at least 12 teats, and a mild tempor. Tho latter quality is very important, as it ensures careful nursing just after farrowing. A high death rate is often caused among young pigs by a badtempered mother. • • The feet and legs of the sow require some consideration. Tho old compact type had short legs, while medium to long legs are now fashionable, also medium to strong bone. Tho legs should be straight, and the pasterns perpendicular rather than sloped. Tho feet should be of medium size, with not much space between the toes. MORTALITY OF YOUNG PIGS. One outstanding feature that has been revealed in connection with tho local pig recording movement is the extraordinary high mortality in newly-born litters. One reason advanced for this is the succession of heavy frosts which occurred during the farrowing period. While this may possibly offer one explanation, tho fact remains that a large number of potential

porkers or baconors have been lost, mainly through tho lack of sufficient foresight on the part of owners, to tako tho necessary precautions to counteract climatic conditions by giving the sow, at this critical period, closer attention. THE FARM-BRED PIG. On the majority of farms the breeding sows are too few in numbers in proportion to the size of tho dairy herd, with tho consequence that insufficient pigs are reared to consumo the whole or the greater portion of the skim milk by-product, which is the cheapest pig food available. Actually this food costs nothing, and its efficient use is a strong factor in making dairy farming profitable to the full measure of economy. The loss referred to in the young pig not only constitutes a decided loss to the farmer, but it practically forces him to purchase his pijzs in tho open market in competition with , other farmers. The. more exacting needs of the consumer in comparison with bygpno days now require' a carcase conforming to a definite type, and tho only safe and reliable way in which this noed can be met is for the farmer to breed his own pigs, with the additional safeguard, by so doing that he does not run any risk of carrying on to his farm any ailments or diseases, which might bo found in pigs of other peoplo’s breeding or from contaminated saleyards. Type, care qf tho sows during farrowing periods, and careful feeding are three points which require attention and under no consideration whatever can these points be neglected if the pig section ot dairy farming is to be profitably and successfully managed. PIGS OFF-COLOUR. “ALWAYS SUSPECT WORMS.” Of recent years I have not been bothered much with worms in pigs, but recently they have appeared again, writes Mr Theo. A. Stephens in the Farmer and Stockbreeder. One batch was not making much progress; and in these circumstances I always suspect worms, and a dosing proved, in thiß case, that this was the cause of the trouble. The persistent dosing of all litters for some years cleared worms from my pigs, and they have only just reappeared; but now I have evidence of their presence I shall reoommence dosing all litters for a year or so, whether I see signs of them or not. Worms do not always manifest themselves, either actually or in the appearance of the pigs, and it is impossible to be sure they are free unless one doses them.

DAIRY PRODUCE. MARKETS QUIET. Joseph Nathan and Co., Ltd., have received tho following market report from London, dated October 11: —Now Zealand butter, finest, 112 per cwt; first, 104 s. New Zealand choese, white, 655; coloured, 60s. Both markets very quiet. Sales of Kangaroo (Aust.) blitter for shipment first half October were made to-day at 92s per cwt, c.i.f., compared with 94s last week. The Now Zealand Producers’ Co-opera-tive Marketing Association’s weekly cabled market report from London dated October 11 is as follows:—Butter: Market quiet. New Zealand, finest 112 s; first grade, 105 s; Danish 118 s. Cheese: Market quiet. New Zealand, white, 65s to 665; coloured, 59s to 60s.

FARMING NEWS. RURAL RAKINGS. Shearing is now beginning in the Pohangina district, where very favourable weather has been experienced during recent weeks. Stock are in splendid condition and well forward. At the New Zealand Aberdeen Angus Cattle Breeders’ Association’s annual show and sale at Dannevirke, Mr J. F. Knight, of Newbury, Palmerston North, acted as judge. . _ ‘ / The Otamita Dairy Factory Company (South Island) has sold its September-Oc-tober output of cheese at 6£d per lb. The respective outputs of Freshford and Edendaie factories for the same period have been bought at the same price. The Pukerau factory has sold 20 tons of its SeptemberOctober output at 64d, f.o.b. —Otago Daily Times. A valuable Friesian bull, with which Mr C. J. Morris, of Monteith, South Australia, won the championship for that section at the Adelaide Show recently, had to be destroyed two days later, as he was suffering from fodder poisoning. He was tho sire of 14 out of 15 cows in the herd that recently put up a new production record for South Australia, averaging 5601 b of butterfat a head. What may bo termed “a singular experience with a dairy cow” was, the lot of Mr F. H. Davis on his farm at Heriot the other day. The oow, which had calved two weeks ago and was being milked as usual had another calf, much to the surprise of the owner. It has often happened that a cow would have two calves within a day or two of one another: but the case under notice is surely a rarity, with such a difference in the ages of the twin calves. Mainly due to the excellent spring weather conditions lambing in Otago and Southland is now well advanced. Very few losses have been reported, and there is evidence on all sides that record percentages ■will be. tho order for the season. What must be nearly a record lamb os far as weight is concerned was born recently on the property of Mr C. R. Shond, of Limehills (says tho Southland Times). This lamb weighed 171 b at birth 1 Settlers on the Pukekura block have enjoyed a first-class season in respect to feed and their stock generally have come into the spring in great order (says the Napier Telegraph). This was one portion of Hawke’s Bay where feed was especially plentiful during the winter and several outside mobs . of cattle were sent on to the block for grazing. Good use is being made of the plough by some of the settlers and the results are most satisfactory thusfar. IMPORTS OF WHEAT.

DUTY PAYMENTS QUESTIONED,

WELLINGTON, Oct. 12. In the House of [Representatives, today Rev. C. Carr asked whether the recent importations by the Government of Australian wheat had been subject to the full amount of duty as provided under the sliding scale. The Prime Minister, Mr Forbes, replied that the recent importation of wheat by the Government for sale and distribution as fowl food had been brought in as Government property, duty free. The wheat had, however, been sold at the price of 5s 3d a bushel, sacks included, ex ship’s slings at North Island ports. Wheat to which Mr Carr might be referring had also been imported recently by the Wheat Marketing Agency Company, of Christchurch, under special arrangements by which the duty, had been paid up to a basis of the value determined by the internal prices of wheat and flour.