Grading of Pig Litters

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 98, 28 April 1939, Page 9

Grading of Pig Litters

SUPERVISOR’S REPORT In Ilia report presented to the annual meeting of tlio Wellington district council of the New Zealand Fig Breeders’ Association on Wednesday the supervisor, Mr. E. F. Nielsen, stated that a summary of pig club litters reared and distributed revealed that 21 out of 24 clubs disposed of 330 pigs from 41 litters. Of these pigs 81 males and 130 females were kept for breeding, while the remaining 113 were culled. Several of the number culled had been carried on to bacon weights and would be seen in the recorded bacon class at the Falmerston North Winter Show in June. In this way clubs would have the opportunity of putting their pigs to the complete test of litter performance, growth rate, and carcase suitability, without which information it was almost an impossibility to breed constructively. The record of the Norsewood Club’s bow was outstanding in having had three grade one litters. The only other grade one litters were those of the Tokomaru and Levin Clubs. There were six grade two litters, four grade three litters, six grade four litters and seven grade five litters. Three litters not rerecorded were known to bo least eligible for grade two, which meant that 10 litters only were not of sufficient merit to come within the first live grades.

The average number of Tamworth pigs weaned per litter was eight. Au average of 36.21b5. was shown by 2011 Tamworth pigs recorded with a total weight of 75051b5. at eight weeks. An average of lO.Olbs. was shown by 200 Tamworths recorded with a total weight of 21881bs. at three weeks. Tlio average number of Berkshire pigs weaned por litter was 0.77. Sixty* one Berksliires with a total weight of 20541b5. at eight weeks showed an average of 33.67, and with a total weight of 6431b5. at three weeks an average of

10.5. The average number of Large White pigs weaned per litter was nine. Fortysix Large Whites with a total weight of 18681bs. at eight weeks showed an average of 40.61, and with a total weight of 5201b5. at three weeks showed an average of 11.3.