PIG BREEDERS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 227, 23 August 1935, Page 13

PIG BREEDERS.

MEETING OF COUNCIL. IMPORTATION OF STOCK. The meeting of the council of the New Zealand Pig Breeders’ Association was concluded yesterday afternoon, Mr J. A. Russell presiding. A number of breeders in the South Taranaki district wrote making application for permission to form a branch in that area. Mr Ogle supported the application, explaining that tho breeders were very enthusiastic, and it was decided to grant the necessary permission. Mr R. Chilcott (Hamilton) wrote advancing the suggestion that, instead of the Government sending a veterinary officer Home to supervise and keep any pigs that are to be imported under observation during transit at the importer’s expense, the Government bear the cost of three weeks’ guarantee in Australia. The chairman remarked that the matter had been well debated by all farming organisations and there was little prosspect of the embargo being lifted meantime. Mr Ross: If the elections were four years off the Government might lift it. Tire chairman pointed out that the period of quarantine in Australia at present was three months, and it was an expensive matter to importers. —It was decided to bring Mr Chilcott’s suggestion to the notice of the Government. COMBATING PIG DISEASES. The North Auckland branch forwarded the charts which had been loaned them for display at its Winter Show, and forwarded an interior view of its court at the Show. Mr Gudopp considered that it would be advantageous that charts showing the diseases to be encountered in pigs be displayed at all shows, while lectures could be given on ways and means to combat them. Mr West mentioned that at tlie annual meeting of the local branch a demonstration had been held at the works when a Government veterinary 6urgeon had addressed the gathering, (lie speaker adding that it was a pity that all the Dominion breeders could not have been present. Mr Ogle pointed out that it was largely, a matter of evolving the correct methods of feeding and management. The discussion was not carried further, the secretary being instructed to thank the branch for its appreciative references and for the photograph. GENERAL. Twenty-five new members were admitted to the association. The president and secretary were deputed to attend the Royal Show, their expenses to be borne by the council. Mr Chilcott advanced the suggestion that all breeders be required to send in a return annually showing their breeding sows. Some discussion surrounded the question and it was decided to defer the matter till the annual meeting, the chairman remarking that tlie proposal was along the right lines. Mr AVest deprecated the publication in the Herd Book of the litter returns, the speaker stating that it was not encouraging to tho young breeder who started with a maiden sow, for the number where tho latter was concerned were invariably smaller than the proved sow. It also led to an unscrupulous breeder making false returns. Mr Bickers contended that it was immaterial, for the breeder should be fully aware that the litter would lie smaller from a maiden sow. Mr Clark held that no harm would be done by carrying on in the meantime. On the suggestion of Mr Morrison it was decided to refer the matter to the next annual meeting for discussion. Reverting to the question of recording pigs, Mr Morrison advanced the suggestion that steps be taken to evolve a scheme by which the officers of the Herd Testing Association could act as recording officers ill tlie outlying areas. Mr Bickers said that even there difficulties would arise for farrowings could not be timed to coincide with a visit to the farm to carry out tho test of the herd. No definite action was taken in tlie matter, the chairman asking the members to keep tho suggestion in mind.