PIG INDUSTRY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 287, 1 November 1934, Page 5

PIG INDUSTRY

DEVELOPMENT IN WAIKATO

That the pig industry in the Waikato had developed beyond recognition during the past two or three years was the statement made by Mr O. >SMexted, of Te Kawa, the well-known judge of pigs-, who officiated in the Large White and Large Black IBS section at the Manawatu Spring Show yesterday. Mr Mexted said he had judged pigs at the Hamilton, Morrinsville, Cambridge, Te Awamutu and Pukekolie Shows within the last 12 months, and he could safely say that in all instances entries in all classes had been easily doubled. The increase, in the numbers of the pigs, however, had not led to a general stampede and sacrifice of quality, for in the main quality had shown an almost step for step improvement with the numerical development. Waikato breeders had forsaken the impression that any type of pig, so long .as it produced pork or bacon, would do, and had made every endeavour to adhere rigidly to the rules laid down by the various pig breed societies and also the Homo market requirements. To Mr Mexted ns a breeder and judge of pigs the steady upward grade

in quality was even more pleasing than the increase in the number of pigs produced in the Waikato. He had always aimed at encouraging fanners and breeders that the utility pig was the sort that was wanted, and while he agreed that general conformity to breed type had to be adhered to for exhibition purposes, he maintained that it was tho utility type which had proved and would continue to prove of the greatest value to the country. Answering a query as to the most favoured breed in the Waikato, Air Mexted said Taimvorths were in large demand, while the Large Whites also commanded a large following. In each case quality in both a utility and fancy sense had been brought to a high standard, and competition among breeders at shows was very keen. Regarding the question of type improvement. however, Mr Mexted stated that the Berkshires easily took pride of place, for generally speaking they had improved beyond knowledge. Previously the worst offending breed as regards irregularity of type, tho Berkshires of to-day in the Waikato showed little resemblance to those of a few years ago, and he had nothing hut praise for the manner in which Berkshire breeders had grappled with their problems and overcome them and placed their breed of pig not far behind the best of the others.

Questioned in regard to the general form of pig rearing in use in the Waikato, Mr Mexted said that farmers in that district in mainly for rotational grazing and the open-air system of rearing and fattening. Experience had shown this to be the method which produced the best results, and it was a system which was particularly applicable to the Waikato, where the ground was lighter than in the Manawatu, allowing water to get away more readily.

Mr Mexted was confident that there was a great future before tne pig industry in the Waikato, and in view of the advance made within the last two years he thought it would not he long before producers were reaping the benefit of their endeavours. He considered that the present high standard of type would be maintained for breeders had gained too much experience to allow them to desert this all-important factor of pig production.