Pigs ... and ... People

Northern Advocate, 24 February 1940, Page 11

Pigs ... and ... People

It is really gratifying in these days of criticism of everything, including show judges, to encounter one instance where a judge’s opinion was endorsed. At the Arapohu'e Show last Saturday, the judge had awarded his placing in the aged boar class when a young (about seven years) onlooker remarked “He’s right.” On being asked why, the blossoming pig farmer replied emphatically: “Because his (the first prize pig) tail has a much nicer curl!” So, judges, your troubles are over. Go by the curl, and you cannot fail. The quality of the stock at the Arapohue Show was worthy of greater competition, and should do well .at even our larger shows. The Council’s supervisor gave a most interesting demonstration on a Berkshire boar, belonging to Mr. R. Comer, which he admitted he could not fault. Over sixty farmers attended the demonstration, and voted it excellent and practical. # * * * Heavy weights arc to the fore. These pigs, at least, are doing their best to produce the quantity of meat so urgently required.

Supplied by Northland Pig Council

One, a Tamworth, owned by Mr. G. Danks, of Hoanga, reared and weaned a cross-bred litter of 12 which averaged 421bs at four days under eight weeks, a total of 504 lbs. That this was not a chance performance is borne out by the fact that a previous litter of 10 weighed 370 lbs at 6 weeks of age. Coming nearer home, we find that one of the Stanton herd, of H. E. Johnson, has 18 live piglets for its sixth litter, making a total of 94 live piglets for this particular sow to date. Of these an average of 12.3 pigs were reared, which includes one litter which was reduced to eight, to ascertain the percentage of increased growth with a smaller litter.. * * * * The last litter of 14 scaled 608 lbs at eight weeks two days, and at six months sent the scale needle over to 2646 lbs. Oh, for an average production equalling or approximating the foregoing. It is interesting to record that two daughters of this sow have had litters of 15 and 19 piglets.

Mr. C. Bell, the owner of the well laid out piggery at Kauri, has im-

ported from the Waikato a Large White boar, so that we can expecS some good bacon pigs to appear from this herd. Entries for two important shows — Waiotira and Whangarei—will close this week-end, and the council trusts that a large and representative showing of pigs will be seen at both these fixtures. * The Pifkekohe Show pig pens were completely filled. Now then, Northland, surely this can be equalled or beaten. It was remarkable at the South Auckland fixture to note the interest that is being taken in the Devon or Large Black pigs. Who would have thought that pigs are subject to the fickleness of fashions.