THE PIG INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 65, 13 February 1935, Page 5

THE PIG INDUSTRY.

DESIRE FOR STANDARD PIG. (By “Observer.”) In a. recent issue of the “Standard” the- substance of a discussion which took place at the Farmers’ Union meeting at Levin, last week, was published, together with the text of a remit connected. with the type and quality of New Zealand pigs for export. This remit urged that a greater degree of co-operation by the various departments should he exercised. The remit went on to say that every effort should ho made to secure a standard pig ior the industry. The promoters of the remit consider that the departments concerned could ascertain definitely the class of pig most favoured, then farmers would he expected to grow the standard pig exclusively, care being taken that no bacon or pork is exported unless the pigs have been fed on milk or meal or other suitable food, io standardise a food again the joint action oi all branches of the scientific side of the industry is necessary. From the subsequent discussion of this remit, as reported, it is noticed that only two members gave an expression of opinion. Both were in agreement with the purport of the remit, but no suggestion was made, whereby farmers themselves and their own organisation, as represented by the Farmers’ Union, would co-operate. No reference appears to have been made to the enterprise and work of various other farmers’ organisations during the last seven or eight years to improve the standard oi quality of all pigs whether for tiie local or export trade. During that period the New Zealand Fig Breeders’ Association, local branches of that association, and pig recording clubs have been insistent in their efforts to accomplish the end a.s outlined by the remit under notice, but apparently their efforts have been overlooked by tiie authors of the remit. Specifically stated, the remit wants tiie departments concerned to define a standard which, having been obtained, tiie farmer will co-operate, in maintaining. Just wliat is meant by the departments concerned is not stated. The Farmers’ Union can be definitely assured that a great deal of work —often with thankless result —lias been done by tiie organisations mentioned above, who, together with progressive bacon curing firms, are realising tiie very gratifying knowledge of a decided improvement in the type and quality of pigs slaughtered, which lias' been shown year by year. This is mentioned in fairness to those who have devoted their time to this work, which has apparently been overlooked during tins pa rt ic uI a r disc ussion. While in full sympathy with tiie purport of the remit, which aims at securing an approved standard pig, it should be pointed out that breeders of stud pigs and many progressive farmers have been endeavouring to meet this objective with tiie result, as stated above, that tiie standard now being marketed has generally improved throughout tiie country. Tire unprogressivo farmer still trails behind, but 110 can if he wishes now secure breeding stock, the progeny of which, if intelligently fed and looked after, will invariably produce suitable carcases for trade purposes. Unfortunately, the ideal type of carcase cannot be evolved in a day. but it is some satisfaction to know" that definite progress is being made. A further suggestion as to ways and means how this desirable end could be hastened would be welcome for it is very often much easier to visualise or suggest improvement than it is to offer constructive ideas. INVESTIGATIONS FOR QUALITY IN EXPORT FIGS. Originating with the local Pig Recording Club and working in conjunction with the Fig Marketing Association and the Meat Producers’ Board, some 200 bacon pigs are being assembled by the recording officer who is responsible for collecting the data connected with the breeding and feeding of the pigs, which are representative of ordinary farmers’ lines. These-pigs will in due course be exported to England in one or two consignments. The pigs in each consignment representative of each quota supplied by individual farmers will be separately marked in lots with the .idea that expert examiners in England will be asked to fura critical report on the quality and suitability for trade purposes of each individual farmer’s contribution. About a. third of the pigs going forward will be drawn from feed trials conducted by the club this year. Those pigs will also be representative of several different breeds and crosses and this should supply some trustworthy .information regarding breeds and feeding methods.

This is the most comprehensive—in fact, so far as we know, the onlyinvestigation on a large scale in work ■of this kind that has been attempted and tho information which will eventually be forthcoming will go a. long way to put into practical effect the purpose that the remit seeks to accomplish. The fact should not be overlooked that farmers themselves all have a responsibility in connection with the quality of any exportable produce whether it he butter, meat or eggs and without their co operation in every detail it necessarily follows that progress will be slow, whereas if all concerned were to do their part and accept their own responsibilities accomplishment would be more readily attained. After all, experience has proved that the initiative in any progressive movement must come from those who are most vitally concerned and the Farmers’ Union, in conjunction with other organisations representative of farmers’ interests, can, if they wish, help along the good work in a constructive way without relying too much on the slower possibilities of departmental investigation which does not specialise in work of the kind under notice.