PIG BREEDERS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 166, 13 June 1933, Page 5

PIG BREEDERS

NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION. REVIEW OF YEAR. “The association has again had a most successful year, even in the face of continued general trade depression and financial stress,” states Mr J. A. Russell, president of the New Zealand Pig Breeders’ Association, in his report to be submitted to the annual meeting at Palmerston North this week.

“More particularly in fact,” he adds, “can the result of the year’s working be deemed satisfactory when one considers that during the past season farm produce has slumped almost beyond comprehension. I venture to say that no one could possibly have anticipated so great a decline in general farm produce prices as has actually been experienced. Once again pigs have proved that they are a most valuable adjunct to dairy farming. The prices obtained for pork and bacon have maintained a much more satisfactory level than that which has been obtained in the cases of other farm produce; consequently many farmers have been successful in materially augmenting their incomes by the sale of pork and bacon pigs. “The general improvement in the standard of pigs raised has been continued. Farmers generally have improved the blood of their herds by the introduction of purebred stock, and this fact can be Dome out by an examination of the increase in the registration and transfer fees of purebred animals as is shown in our records. The association has taken' an active interest in the establishment of pig recording clubs and the organised marketing of pig products, thereby doing much toward placing the pig industry on a higher plane and of improving its revenue producing possibilities to the fanner individually and to New Zealand nationally. The branches of the association have functioned satisfactorily. A special visit was paid to the Bay of Plenty by the president and secretary and this greatly assisted the Bay of Plenty branch m recommencing its activities. It is the council’s recommendation that further branches be opened in the North Auckland and Nelson districts during the forthcoming year, providing the necessary support can be obtained from the breeders in these districts. The secretary has visited all the larger shows and the results obtained from these visits warrant their continuance.

“The income and expenditure account shows an increase of income over expenditure totalling £l5B 18s lid, and during the year we have been enabled to increase our fixed deposits at the bank from £4OO to £7OO. The entrance fees and subscriptions are practically identical with those of last year, whereas an increase has been made in the registration and transfer fees of approximately £57. A reserve of 50 per cent, has been made for possible losses on outstanding subscriptions, this being deemed advisable in view of the fact that outstanding subscriptions are difficult to collect in cases where the member has ceased to breed and has failed to send in a resignation.

“Volume XIV. of the Herd Book contains the following entries: —Berkshires, 408; Large White Yorkshires, 858; Tamworths, 423; Large Blacks, 149; Duroc Jerseys, 14; Middle YVhite Yorkshires, 4; total, 1856. “The members of the council who retire are Messrs YV. P. Bickers, Jas. McLinden' and A. G. Golder.”