Pohaiigina Valley

Manawatu Times, Volume 59, Issue 272, 20 November 1934, Page 10

Pohaiigina Valley

From Our Own Correspondent. On Thursday evening an instructive address was given to the dairy farmers of the valley by Mr. Hastings, of the New Zealand Co-operative Pig Marketing Association. Mr. J. D. Balmer was in the chair and in introducing Mr. Hastings remarked on the need or the district for a more combined effort both in the producing and marketing of pigs. Mr. Hastings opened his address with a cinema film He emphasised the fact that farmers as a rule looked on a pig as a means of getting rid of their skim milk or whey. They failed to consider it as a factor for turning SO per cent, of their milk into money. • Illustrations, were shown of the systematic lay-out of up-toydate piggeries, showing the importance of cleanliness in feeding, and the necessity of good draught-proof houses and summer shade. He pointed out that under the svstem grass was the main . food for breeding sows and was one-third of the food necessary for the growing pigs. Methods of weighing and recording pigs were also shown. Films were shown of the modern method of handling the pig from the farm to the freezing room. It pointed out the care needed in handling the live pig. Examples of badly biuised carcases were seen,, the ca^ e t / Lken f i l identification of pigs, and the efficient method of handling, drafting, killing and dressing, at modern factories. The sys tern of grading was also expounded and examples of types of dressed pig were exhibited, giving evidence of Ihe endeavour of the farmers co-operative move mont in New Zealand to breed and market efficiently ■ the ■ type of pig required by the housewife of to-day. In concluding his remarks, Mr. Hastings asked the farmers of the district to co-operate and market the right type of pig In the light way Ov behalf of the farmers present, Mrf Balmer thanked the speaker and hoped that they would benefit by his address. He hoped they would endeavour in the future to work more co-operatively and make the.pig industry a remunerative one. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the speaker.