Johnson & Co. Repeat Triple Win in National Bacon Pig Champ.

Northern Advocate, 18 March 1939, Page 8

Johnson & Co. Repeat Triple Win in National Bacon Pig Champ.

THIRST, SECOND, THIRD AND FIFTH PLACTNGS IN THE WHANGAREI SECTION GAVE H. E. JOHNSON AND CO., THE KIRIPAKA BREEDERS. YET ANOTHER TRIUMPH IN THE NATIONAL BACON PIG CHAMPIONSHIP, WHEN THE WHANG AREI SECTION WAS JUDGED ON THE HOOF TO-DAY. Together with those shown at Kaitaia, the 52 Whangarei pigs forming the Northland section will be judged on the hooks at Moerewa on Monday. They will then be cured, and, together with entries from seven other provincial- districts, will be judged as bacon at the Whangarei Winter Exhibition, wherq 308 sides will be on display. , Live pigs at the Whangarei Show were placed as follows: —• H. E. Johnson and Co.’s pedigree Large White, bom Sept. 24 ... 1 H. E. Johnson and Co.’s pedigree Large White, bom Sept. 29 ... 2 ,H. E. Johnson and Co.’s pedigree L arge White, bom Sept. 24 ... 3 I, Weavei’’s Tamworth-Berkshire cross, born August 22 4 H. E, Johnson and Co.’s pedigree Large White, born Sept. 24 ... 5 In all cases the pigs were bred by the owners.

When 100 pigs were judged as bacon at the Whangarei Winter Exhibition last year, Mr H. E. Johnson and Co. likewise secured the first three awards, together with equal sixth. First and second pigs on the hoof today are full litter mates to the pig which was placed third as bacon last year. They are out of Hillcroft Sunflower 3rd by Stanton Puss Moth. The second prize-winner is a full sister to the pigs which measured up first and second at the Winter Show championship. Owing to the dry season and consequent shortage of milk, Mr Johnson’s pigs have received very small milk -rations this year. They have been fed mostly on concentrates on lines almost identical to those entries which scooped the championship pool under the calipers. Mr Innes Weaver, of Whangarei, who secured fourth place with a Tamworth-Berkshire cross, entered the prize-winning pig on the hoof in the championship last year. The Judges.

tendance in such large numbers at the ring, and the Whangarei A. and P. Society for the layout of the §how ring and the pens, which made a difficult task easier.

An invitation was extended by Messrs Merritt and Kneebone for all interested to attend the field day at the Moerewa Works on Monday, when the pigs will be killed and measured. Referring to the value of such conv petitions, they also congratulated the sponsors of the porker competition to be held at Moerewa Show next Saturday, when 150 pigs will be judged. Class of Outstanding Merit. Commenting on the class generally, the judge described it as one of outstanding merit. The hot dry weather had affected the number of entries at the show, but should not have had any effect on the individual entries, as it was bad farm management for more pigs to be kept than could be done well. Of the 52 pigs penned, ten per cent did not require much consideration, owing to their bondition; another ten per cent might surprise by hanging up better on the hooks than they appeared on the hoof; while 50 per cent of the pigs could be termed really excellent baconers.

In all their stages—alive, on the hooks and as bacon—the pigs in the Whangarei section will be judged by Mr. H. Kneebone, supervising grader for the Auckland Farmers’ Freezing Company, and Mr Frank Merritt, supervising grader for the New Zealand Produce Board.

They are testing out a theory as to whether a system of points allocation on the hoof can be made to coincide with the placing of the pigs when they are killed and measured up.with the calipers.

Of beautiful conformation and weight and exceptionally well hammed, was the first prize pig, which they regarded as having the ideal finish for the trade. Slight heaviness in the shoulders and in weight cost the next in order the first placing. The third pig was of similar conformation to the other two from the same farm.

“We appreciate the privilege of being allowed to judge this most important class,” they stated today. “Opportunity to prove a theory as yet in doubt is welcomed.

' Although we handle thousands of carcases a year, we get very few opportunities pf following the live carcase through the process of killing and cutting up, as practically all carcases are exported whole from New Zealand. Fanners Thanked. The judges thanked the farmers for the interest taken and for their at-

Being a trifle underweight, the fourth pig, a Tamworth-Berkshire, did not look so attractive on the hoof, but was expected to hang up exceptionally well.

Best conditioned pig in the competition was that placed fifth. It showed every indication of meatiness, but was short in length. When judged as bacon, her full sister had been the osly entry in last year’s championship to obtain 100 per cent for streak.