PROFIT IN PIGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19567, 21 February 1927, Page 6

PROFIT IN PIGS.

NEW HANDLING METHODS. THE LARGE WHITE BREED. SOME EXCELLENT RETURNS. fnx TELKGIS APH. own counF.sroKPT.NT.] IE AWAMUTU, Saturday. The nig is now claiining a pvominent part among farm animals, and tho averags dairy fanner is now recognising its value ns a - means of increasing his earnings. Properly fed and carefully treated, it is doubtful if any other stock can give an equally good return; and it can certainly turn a larger variety of foods into money than any other farm animal in existence. Remarkable changes have taken place in the methods of handling and feeding pi.ns during tho last few years. At one timo they were the worst fed and most ill-eared-for animals on tho farm. For pigs kept in filthy styes and fed from dirty troughs, it took 71b. to 01b. (or more) of grain to make lib. of pork livo weight. Now, by keeping pigs 011 pasture, from 31 b. to 3jlb. of grain will show a gain of lib. of pork. In the open, pigs are healthy, i',»ed well, and make gain quickly at a low cost. Green feed is exceedingly beneficial, and where it is not possible to grazo the pigs, green stuff should be fed in the yards. If only lib. a day be given a good effect will lie noticeable. The pasturing of pigs, or open-air keeping as it is called in England—where it is being carried out extensively—-promises to revolutionise the industry by cutting the cost of production down by about 50 per cent. In New Zealand, pig raisers have chiefly confined their attention m tUo past to the Berkshire and Tanivortii breeds and crosses, but of lato there hits been a decided tendency toward popular* ising the Large Whites. Probably the only, breeder of this variety of pig in th« northern King Country at present is Mr. C. S. Moxlcd, of Te lvawa, but it is likely that within the next year or two the Large White will be much better known than is tho case to-day. Karly maturity is 0110 of tho chief characteristics of tho Largo White, while it is contended that, the ham and bacon is morn nearly the ideal for market requirements. No 111 Effects from tho Sun. A little while ago it was suggested that the white skin of this breed was the chief obstacle to popularity in a warm climato, but inquiry proves that contention fallacious. When questioned on the subject, Mr. Mcxtcd gave tho statement a prompt and emphatic denial, atid averred that tho long spell of hot weather this summer was surely a test. '"J hero is not a sign of a scald, sunburn or blister on my Large Whites, and they have been out in the sun just as much as any other breed," said Mr. Me.xt.ed. Tho pride of the Mexted farm is a Large White sow, bred by the Victorian breeder, Mr. Trevor Harvey; Her owner gained second prize and reserve championship with this animal (Gladeville Ronnie 6th) at the recent Royal Show in Auckland. This strain of Largo Whites is remarkably prolific, and the sows are splendid mothers, with plenty of milk to rear largo litters, On the score of early maturity it is interesting to quote Mr. Harvey s .views: "At tho Melbourne Iloyal Show T had two of Gladeville Beauty's (a daughter of Mr. Mexted's purchase) in th« carcase competition. The live weights had to bo between IROlb. and 2201b. On several occasions I had to ration liicse pigs and stop their increase, in weight; a_t tho final stage I had to starve them. Ail they had from the Tuesday morning when they left mv farm (at Boisdale) for flio show until tbov were officially weighed on the Thursday morning was water to drink. . Their weights were 22011). arid 2171b.—at five months and ten days old They outclassed every other breed, and scored tho maximum number of ponds awarded for weight for age. This speaki well of tho breed. I sold a boar from the same litter at. three months and nine days old: he weighed 1661b. live weight. Demand from New Zealand. Mr. Harvey mention td that the demand from New Zealand buyers for Large White pigs from Victoria is very keen, but they cannot all be supplied as there are so few breeders. AH told there are eleven breeders of Large Whites in Australia—ten in Victoria and one in New South Wales. Of that number six arc in the Boisdale district. PIGS AT RUAKUEA. IMPROVEMENT OF STB A INS. [R7 TELEGBAI'It. —OWN COJIKESPON DEN T. 3 HAMILTON Saturday. Good work is 'being carried out by the management of tho Buakufa farm of instruction in producing pigs suitable ' the use of breeders. At present ther* are 160 pedigree pigs cm the farm, J29 of which arc Berkshires and the remainder arc Large Whites.' PaHkn!»r interest is being taken in the Whites following the Meat Board's recommendation that a 'cross with tins breed makes the most suitable carcase for export bacon trade. It- is the jiit«ntM>n of the management, to retain ill the of this breed. The principal Large Wh«te hoar jo the piggery is Towgood Bar None J2ui, : >" imported animal, which weigh*. B>-wt. and is-claimed to be the largest psg ut Nt* Zealand. Bar Soar- in an enormosii animal and is wonderfully W'-i proportioned. If" won tv.'o rh<'i:np:w.!.:;*the Royal Show in Auckland, bems awarded the best Large White and tf* l be«,t pic it) the show. The animal wjis bred by Mew?,. E, Towgood of Cambridge, England, and is 3"l'* 1 ' years old. The Larjie White have »»«■» l?'»" kura for two years and have do?:e tionallv well there. 'they are |«rr.;<s- - the litters frequently Rum'-ff-injr 12 and 11 Thcv maJnie ear»y y"' have pfoved t*r«i;'ef*,. Many nr-.eti are heinc received for Baic* e-de hot the limited" supply pmdude* nunaseroeiit from satisfying the den:a'*< • Boa'-« »t three months- reah<e (rom to 20ms. » ; Ruakura has lon** heen f.-vmed for ' *t?sm* arid qualify of the Berkshire* '• prcKluces. Rome new blood has rerentiv' been tr«lurrd frci-tn t-ise Wers-wwt tftt-n'f'S! *■' r and with tho u«e of these anin-.a« it estwetfd that the strain will be ! imnroved A Ruakara Berk'-bsre _ b* 1 - >•- secured three e)>.ampionship .athe last Royal Show,