PIG INDUSTRY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 308, 27 November 1936, Page 12

PIG INDUSTRY

RECORDS AND DEVELOPMENT. MANAWATU-OROUA CLUB. Various matters affecting the pig industry were considered at a meeting, last evening, of the Manawatu-Oroua Big Recording and Development Club. The chair was occupied by Mr B. E. Keiller, and there were also present Messrs W. J. Croucher, J. E. Mcllwaine, H. R. Denize, S. McGuinness, G. M. Whitelock, and E. P. Nielsen (recording officer). The Hawke’s Bay branch of the Farmers’ Union advised that consideration had been deferred of a proposal made by the club that support be expressed for the national pig recording scheme. A suggestion was made that an officer of the club visit Hastings and give a lecture on the national scheme.—lt was decided to reply stating that a visit could be arranged if the officer’s travelling expenses were paid, as Hastings is outside the club’s district. Mr A. J. Baxter, who at the last meeting forwarded his resignation owing to his now being a resident of Wellington, wrote agreeing to the executive’s suggestion that he retain his membership until the end of the year. —The letter was received. The Shannon Dairy Company forwarded a donation of £lO. —It was decided to write expressing the club’s thanks. RECORDING OFFICER’S REPORT. The recording officer's report, as follows, was adopted:—“The work of tile past montii lias been spread over a wide neld. Eariy in the month two days were spent in Gisborne ax which place there is an increasing interest being taken m the development of the pig industry. It was my privilege to demonstrate to enquirers at the Gisborne Show and at the works the type of carcase required by the trade ror pork and bacon. The exhibitors in the commercial classes were at the works to 6ee their exhibits on the books. In conjunction with Mr Barr, of the Meat Board, foundational work was laid and those assembled were agreed that a profitable morning had been spent. After returning from Gisborne, and prior to preparation for the Manawatu Show, some two hundred pigs were recorded. At Palmerston North keen interest was taken in the farrowing house and pen with the litter of twelve pigs demonstrating the creep-feeding system, or 401 b weaners in the making. There were those critics who thought that the litter on display would fail to reach the suggested weight. Obviously there are many people who do not realise, as yet, just what can be accomplished by four weeks of feeding under good management. The sow and litter demonstrating the 401 b weaner in reality also created interest, and undoubtedly many will attempt to reach the standard laid down by many of our members in producing pigs of similar weights and quality. “At the Royal Show, held in Christchurch, more than ordinary interest was taken by the public in the pig section. The magnificent new pavilion is concrete evidence that Canterbury men have faith in the possibilities of the industry. There were strong entries in the commercial classes, and a few ideal carcases in the Meat Board’s export class which are to be judged m London. As the ultimate aim of all our efforts is pork and bacon, and in view of the fact that the club is in possession of full and detailed charts for carcase evaluation drawn up for INew Zealand’s use by the very same individuals as those who are called upon to judge the carcases in London, it has occurred to me that the club might well suggest to the Meat Board and to the A. and P. societies concerned that more valuable help to exhibitors and others interested would be available by having the value of the carcase assessed in this country. Were this judging' done on the day following the show, j the live animal would still be fresh in, the minds of all, and fatteners would the more easily be educated to the type of animal which gives the best resul s on the hooks. •, “The cardboard models of pigs demonstrating the right and wrong types for trade requirements, together with hams and sisjes of bacon were also displaved in the pig pavilion at the Royal Show. This exhibit was that which was termed the ‘breeding section of the club’s display at the Palmerston North Show, held last June. Many hundreds of people stopped and studied this exhibit and took literature which was placed on the table. Although several hundred copies were made available, the demand far exceeded the sum ply, and there was nothing left for the last day.” , . A supplementary report was also submitted by the recording officer. I n it he stated that he and Mr J. A. Rus sell had addressed : a meeting of tne Woodvillo branch of the Farmers Union on November 21 on the proposed national scheme of recording and the work of recording clubs. Ibere had been no want of enthusiasm. Un Monday, a similar gathering had been held at Ohau, Mr Nielsen addressing a meeting of about thirty, when k,®<m interest had been displayed. That branch, like the Woodville branch, had approved of the national scheme. The recording officer stated that the time was now opportune to approach the Manawatu branch of the New Zealand Pig Breeders’ Association as to their intentions in connection with the Winter Show. The entries for the 0.0.1. certificates and the entries solely for the bacon competition were encouraging, promising to make the largest show yet held at this centre. The supplies of reports on the farm survey conducted, by the club had been distributed, and as the reports had been keenly sought after it would be necessary to obtain further supplies. The Cheltenham Dairy Company had qualified for a C.O.P. certificate with a Large White sow. MERIT LIST.

The recording officer submitted the following merit list for pig recording. He explained that those litters fading to average 381 b at eight weeks, and with less than six pigs,, were omitted. The breed of sire js given first and then that of the sow and the number of pigs reared in the litter is followed by the total weights in pounds and averages at three and eight weeks respectively • Dav . <igon (Rongotea).—Tam-worth-Berkshiro (12 pigs): 112, 9.3, 468, 39. Berkshire-Largo White (» pigs): 106, 13.3; 386, 48. Tamworth-, Large Black (8 pigs): 100, 12.5;.330, 41 3. Large White-Berkshire (9 pigs): 90 10; 416, 46.2. Large White-Berk-shire (7 pigs): 82, 11.7; 308, 44 C. S. Hunt (Kaimatarau). —Purebred Tamworth, Rutherglen Jean (11 pigs): 110, 10; 420, 38. Massey Prize Queenie Ist (7 pigs): 71, 10; 275, 39.3. -N. E. Hansen (Kauwhata). —Purebred Tamworth, Makowhai Betty 4th (8 pigs): 77, 9.6; 304, 38. N. Pedersen (Kauwhata). —Purebred La.rge Black, Rosebury Princess Royal (7 pigs): 116, 16.6; 322, 46. Berkshire, Rosebury Superior (9 pigs): 111, 12.4; 342, 38. . , D. Buchanan (Tiakitaliuna). —Purebred Large White, Eden Park Can. Queen (6 pigs): 100, 16.6; 306. 51. H E. Fieldhouse (Makowhai): Purebred Tamworth, Ngakaunui Aveta /a nigs)- 91.2, 11.4; 308, 38.5. ° B. E.' Keillor (Palmerston North).-

Large White, Waione Lorinda (9 pigs): 99, 12.4; 304, 38. Massey College.—Tamworth, Massey Prize Queenie sth (9 pigs): 116, 13; 405, 45. Massey Prize Fame 4tli (9 pigs): 114. 12.6; 380, 42.2. Wollangbar Twilight (7 pigs): 81, 11.6; 317, 45.3. Massey Canadian Belle 3rd (6 pigs): 80, 13.3; 267, 44.5. A. J. Baxter (Feilding).—Tamworth, Ballantrae Wise Lass sth (6 pigs): 73, 12; 256, 42.8. P. Leamy (Palmerston North). — Tamworth, Burleigh’s Lass 4th (7 pigs): 80, 11.5; 276, 39.5. G. M. Whitelock (Newbury).—Large Black, maiden litter, Horoivhenua Lass Ist (6 pigs): 51, 8.6; 241, 40. Grinton Laurenstina Ist (6 pigs): 84, l 4; 306, 51. The chairman, in moving the adoption of the report, remarked that the 401 b weaner demonstration at the Manawatu Show was probably the best the club could have put forward. Mr Croucher said that very keen interest had been taken in it by responsible breeders. In regard to the supply of extra literature, the publicity officer (Mr Croucher) was empowered to expend up to £lO. Mr Croucher brought forward a letter from Mrs Margaret Jenkins, of Norsewood, outlining recording work she was carrying on in her district. — It was decided to write congratulating her on her activities.

The chairman reported that, so far, £BS had been collected and promised for the publication of an informative booklet, a project on which the club had been working for some time. At the end of the year, said the chairman, the Meat Board’s annual grant would he due.—lt was decided to write asking for the usual grant of £450. THE NATIONAL SCHEME. The chairman reported that an interview had been obtained with Mr A. H. Cockayne (Director-General of Agriculture) and Mr J. M. Scott (superintendent of the pig industry) at the Spring. Show. It appeared that Mr Scott would be an excellent man for the new position created. Supplementing the chairman’s remarks, Mr Croucher said that he had gathered that the operation of the national scheme would not be in practice for some time yet, and those who considered it would be launched early in the New Year would be disappointed. Mr Scott was devoting several months to moving about among the farmers interested in pigs with the object of finding out just what they wanted and what would be the best method of approach.