PIG DEVELOPMENT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 198, 14 November 1934, Page 5

PIG DEVELOPMENT

VALUE OF INSTRUCTION

FORMATION OF LOCAL CLUBS,

(By “Observer.’)

It must be very encouraging to those organisations that have been for many years devoting their time and attention towards effecting improvements in the various aspects of pig husbandry to note the gradual progress that is taking place in the production of more and better pigs. The claims of the breeding sow to be recognised as an essential member of the live stock equipment of a dairy farm have now become definitely established, and the rearing of pigs to consume the dairy by-products is now regarded as an essential and a profitable factor in dairy farm management. It has been shown that by devoting a little more care to the pig department a substantial increase in the net farm revenue over and above the returns from butterfat can be secured from pigs under reasonably good management. A small proportion of dairy farmers have always been alive to the value of their pigs and have benefited accordingly, but this foresight shown by the relatively few has not until quite recently stimulated a desire in others to copy their example. The last two or three years has brought about great changes in this respect, mainly because it has boon found necessary under the stress of heavily depleted revenue from other sources to find out other practical avenues of income, and the pig is now being looked upon with more favour and is receiving considerably more attention than was the case formerly.

Not merely are tugs being produced in greater numbers over a wider area, but due regard to meeting the market conditions with respect to type and quality is claiming recognition as a contributing factor to success. To meet the demands for present needs and to provide for sound expansion it has become necessary to discard a great many pigs that were unsuitable as breeding stock and to replace them with others possessing breed character more in accordance with requirements. It has also been found that more care and attention must be given to feeding and general management than formerly obtained, with a direct consequence, that there is now a consistent demand for parent stock of approved quality, and also a widespread indication that more earnest attention is now being given to feeding and rearing. While it is not suggested that ideal pigs in any considerable numbers are being produced, it may fairly be claimed that sound progress is being made towards the ideal of perfection, and now that there is so much tangible evidence forthcoming of awakened interest in the industry, and that new and progressive methods are being more generally applied, it may be assumed that future development will be more rapid and upon a higher standard; but it must always be remembered that there is still a long distance to go before all producers market the pig products of the quality that is in most request by the consumer. SOURCES OF INSTRUCTION. It is in the direction of dealing with the wider scope of all-round improvements that existing clubs and associations are devoting their energies and, as already indicated, are now meeting with a' measure of success. The N.Z. Pig Breeders’ Association, while more particularly concerned with matters relating to the breeding and registration of purebred stock, has always shown a solicitious regard for the welfare of the industry generally and has encouraged the formation of branches of the association in various centres throughout the Dominion whose particular lunetion is to deal with matters more closely connected with the rearing and development of pigs on the farm. These branches have done an immense amount of good foundation work wherever they have been earnestly put into operation. More recently recording and development clubs have been created for the special purpose of endeavouring to measure the performance ability of parent stock by means of testing and ex-

amination, at the same time concentrating on the instructional and development aspect of the industry, bp to the present the formation of recording clubs has bee.n restricted in number for financial reasons, but there is a generally expressed desire that the work should be extended to other districts. To enable this to be done, a verv small levy on all pigs slaughtered would provide sufficient revenue for the purpose and would make for still more general and rapid improvements. I ossibly when export market requirements for the future have been more definitely ascertained, some scheme for coordinated development and instruction will be advanced for consideration. In the meantime it is distinctly encouragiim to note that in various localities°small groups of dairy farmers have taken the initiative and are forming local clubs for their mutual benefit. Within the last few weeks one of these clubs has been formed at Shannon with a membership limited to ten. The first objective of the club is to procure community-owned breeding stock with the backing of proved performance. The initial purchase is a recorded sow and litter, which are placed under the care of.one member who will feed and rear the pigs. When ready for disposal the young pigs are to be allocated to members by ballot at a stated price which is sufficient Ur cover the cost of rearing, and leave a balance to provide funds for the purchase of more stock as required. the first cost of inaugurating the club has been met by an equal cash contribution by each member. This has been used to provide housing accommodation and the sow. The member who lias charge of the pig is paid an agreed amount for each pig weaned. In other respects the club will function for the mutual benefit of its members. Application for recognition has been made to the Manawatu-Oroun Recording Club and this has been granted, and the recording officer will make periodical visits and co-operate with club members who wish to have any purebred or crossbred sows and litters recorded. The movement that has been put into operation at Shannon is a striking illustration of self-help which is worthy of success and emulation. There are many localities within easy distance of Palmerston North where similar clubs could be formed with advantage.