THE PIG INDUSTRY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 97, 24 March 1939, Page 4

THE PIG INDUSTRY

BREEDERS’ COUNCIL. GROWTH OF ORGANISATION. An indication of the growth in the activities of the New Zealand Pig Breeders’ Association was provided at yesterday’s meeting of the council, when the secretary (Air K. S. Glendinning) presented a report showing the numbers of registrations in all breeds over a period of years. The total registivilions during 1038 were 2713, as against 2323 in 1937, an increase of 390. In the past six years, however, the best figure for one year was 3178 for 1935. The most popular breed over the last two years was the Berkshire, no fewer than 1331 lieing registered in 1938 and 1003 in 1937. In the four years prior to that, however, the Tamworth breed headed the list, the best year being in 1935, when 1885 registrations were effected. The detailed figures for each year from 1933 to 1938, inclusive and for each breed are as follow : —- BERKSHIRE. 1955 1934 1955 1936 1937 1938 481 552 719 858 1053 1331 TAMWORTII. 867 1688 1885 1120 917 917 LARGE WHITE. 593 534 315 184 143 177 LARGE BLACK. 122 257 246 246 206 282 DUROC JERSEY. 35 23 11 1 3 6 MIDDLE WHITE. 6 5 22 1 0 Since the end of 1938 up to the present time 724 pigs have been registered, the figures being:—Bcrkshires 304, Tainworths 275. Largo Blacks 107, Large Whites 38. The report was considered to be highly satisfactory. The further fact that 47 new members had been enrolled since last meeting also gave evidence of the growth of 1 lie industry. The meeting, which was presided over by Af.r G. S. Ross, decided that endeavours be made to secure representation of the council oil the newly appointed Massey College Pig Advisory Committee, and that Air G. M. Whitelock be recommended for the position. Forty-seven new members were accepted. In view of the national bacon competition being held at AVliangarei, it was decided to hold the annual meeting during the period of the Whangarei Winter Show. In view ol the fact that the council, being a national body, gives a donation for a Young Farmers’ Club stock-judging competition at the Royal Show, it was decided that it could not comply with the request of the Wellington council of the Federation of Young Farmers for a donation towards a AYellington district competition. It was decided, in terms of a remit from the South Auckland branch, to circularise branches with reference to the setting tip of a set of conditions under which junior judges should operate at shows. When suggestions are received the council will draw tip a set of conditions at its next meeting. The following remits, also from the South Auckland branch, were adopted : That the council advise the A. and P. "associations of the desirability ol having all pig pens and alleyways cleaned up by 9 a.m. on the second day at the various A. and P. shows and that A. and P. associations be asked to supply straw. That it l>e a rule for owners or attendants in charge of pigs to parade their pigs in the pedigree classes before the judges at various A. and P. shows. I hat the council requests all A. and P. associations to select judges for pedigree pig classes from the official list of judges. That the council give serious consideration to a scheme of classification of pigs in the future, with the object of securing a higher standard of quality amongst onr registered pigs. Renresentations are to he made to tire Government for reasons as to why there is an embargo on tlic importation of pigs from Queensland. It was staged that Ihe pigs in that State were of high quality; yet while pigs from New South Wales could l>e imported

animals from Queensland could not be brought into this country. At a special meeting, following the ordinary business, a resolution was passed altering the rules to provide that councillors shall retire in rotation in the following order: —Three in the first year, three in the second and four in the third. Under the old system five retired each year, and the change is being brought about in order to give members a three-year term instead of two, which, it is considered, will make for greater efTiciency. Those who will retire this year are: Messrs G. TV. P. Picker? and J. Simp-son, who will be eligible for re-election.