THE PIG INDUSTRY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 62, 9 February 1933, Page 4

THE PIG INDUSTRY

BREEDERS’ AND FATTENERS’ COLUMN. FEILDfNG SHOW CLASSES. It must be a source of considerable satisfaction to tile FciJding Show Committee and to others who are endeavouring to promote the best interests of the pig industry to note the important position which is now occupied by the pig section in the show catalogue. As recently as four years ago, the total entry of pigs covering all classes at Feilding, was less than twenty animals. At last week’s fixture a splendid entry of no less than one hundred and forty-five pigs, representative of the four main breeds, were on exhibition, thereby indicating that tho joint efforts of the controlling committee and breeders are being rewarded by the renewed interest shown.

The comments of the various judges on the quality of the exhibits have already !>een briefly referred to in the “Standard” and need not lie further enlarged upon, except to say that it is pleasing to know that the pigs which were presented were of a good standard, but in the opinion of one judge some of the breeds were lacking in uniformity.

One of the judges expressed an opinion which, if put into effect, would have a very far-reaching influence and would no doubt hasten the day when more uniformity would be found in parent stock that ban been sold to farmers for breeding purposes. The contention is that there are too many poor type and weak constitution pigs being sold for stud purposes, and to remedy this it is thought advisable that the Pig Breeders’ Association should institute a system of inspection of all stud animals with the object of culling out those that are not considered up to standard for utility purposes or will produce carcases suitable for trade requirements. Although this may sound a drastic proposal, sometiling along the lines indicated will need to bo undertaken in the near future, it is claimed. While it is generally admitted that tile type and general conformity of utility pigs now being marketed shows a great improvement, there is still need for more and better purebred stock which will adequately supply the farmer with his needs.

The onus is upon the breeder to keep pace with the demand. We have reached the stage where a show prize ticket unsupported by performance in the breeding pen is of little use.

Pedigree and performance is the first and last duty of the breeder. The utility classes at the Feilding Show provided a striking example of the progress that is being made with the commercial pig. In the pork and bacon classes there was an aggregate entry of 36 animals and there was not a second-rate pig displayed. "What is more, all Hie leading breeds were fairly evenly represented, which goes to show that the best progeny, irrespective of breed, is producing flic typo of carcase which is approved by the trade. For the first time in the history of the baeoner competition, the first prize ticket went to a purebred pig. Five other entries in this class of fourteen were purebred pigs and the remainder were first crosses, which all goes to show that, if bred on right linos and properly fed, the purebred pig conforms to utility standard. This is test ot the stud-master.

When a breeder can consistently produce from his stud pigs which can win a place in a commercial competition, lie may with justice consider that lie lias reached an objective which is essential to the futuro well lining of the industry.

In this connection it is worthy of note that a purebred pig shown at the Manawatu Show in November was placed first in the porker class. At Levin the same pig was awarded a first ticket in a strong Liaconer class and the following week when shown in the purebred section at Feilding, it gained second honours in strong competition.

Instances such as these should not be the exception and the pig industry keenly awaits the day when reliable stud stock will be forthcoming in sufficient numbers to meet the needs of those who rear and fatten pigs as a commercial proposition.