PIG IMPORTS TO NEW ZEALAND

Southland Times, Issue 23792, 14 April 1939, Page 12

PIG IMPORTS TO NEW ZEALAND

PURCHASE OF LARGE WHITES GIFT FROM DR. JOHN HAMMOND Very considerable important movements of stud stock still continue both into and out of New Zealand Stud breeders, realizing that their exports of stud stock to many countries of the world are dependent upon the high stand on which they maintain their studs are importing the best animals that can be purchased in the United Kingdom. Foremost this week is the importation of Large White pigs from England. Consigned to the two well-known Palmerston North breeders of Large White pigs, Messrs B. E. Keiller and G. M. Whitelock, two exceptionally good representatives of the breed have just been released from quarantine. The new arrivals are from the stud of Mr H. R. Davidson, of Harpenden, Herts., who is recognized as being the foremost breeder of Large White pigs in England and the outstanding authority in Great Britain on practical pig husbandry problems. In his professional capacity at Cambridge University and the Rowlett Research Industry, combined with extended practical experience in handling and evaluating pig carcasses at the Smithfield market, Mr Davidson had the best of all opportunities for discovering existing deficiencies in commercial pigs as required by the exacting demands of the present day market. Choosing the Large White as being the most suitable pig from which to build an improved type, he began to breed pigs himself from carefully selected foundation stock, and eventually established the purebred which has supplied for consecutive years the prize-winning animals in the carcass classes at Peterborough, Smithfield and London Dairy Show competitions. Because of pressure of other professional work, Mr Davidson found it necessary to relinquish his breeding activities and dispose of his stud. Before the recent dispersal sale an opportunity was given to Dr C. P. McMeekan, who was then in England, to select the sow and boar comprising the consignment under notice for the breeders named and these were shipped out to the Dominion through the agency of Wright, Stephenson and Co., Ltd. A recognized authority on utility pigs in this country, with exceptional experience when working with Dr John Hammond at the School of Agriculture at Cambridge University, •Dr McMeekan was well equipped to make the selection of what undoubtedly represent the most useful Large White utility pigs that have ever reached the Dominion. Subjected to critical examination at Somes Island recently, both of these pigs revealed features of conformation that have not hitherto been conspicuous in animals of any bred in use in this country. The special points in evidence are their extreme width as seen from the back end across the hams and loins, long sides merging into well set fine shoulders, and a strong head and light jowl. For conditions in the Dominion the pigs have the distinct advantage of being bred and reared under outdoor conditions even more severe than those prevailing here. These are the characteristics that have made the Danish pigs famous for best trade purposes. Under the control of such efficient stud masters as Messrs Keiller and Wliitelock, the judicious infusion of blood from these imported animals with the best selection of local breed specimens will doubtless go a long way towards determining the surest and most efficient way of lifting the standard of utility pigs in New Zealand. The breeders in question are to be commended for their enterprise, and their good fortune in being able to secure such noteworthy stock through reliable personal selection in England. DUROC JERSEY BREED Also of great importance is the importation of Duroc Jersey pigs by Mr F. Discombe, of Cambridge., Mr Discombe, proprietor of the Dominion Premier Piggery, Lucerndale Studs, Cambridge, has just landed his fourth importation of Duroc Jersey pigs from Canada through the agency of the stud stock department of Wright, Stephenson and Co. Ltd. So pleased was he with a pioneer shipment of these pigs that he has been the continued advocate of the breed and is producing one of the best and most even carcasses for export for Home consumption. This information is passed on, his personal experience of the breed extending over some years. His fourth importation comprises four sows. The shipment arrived in Wellington from Vancouver on ' the Tolten. Considerable trouble had been taken by Mr Discombe’s agents in shipping the pigs, as they were well housed in specially-constructed deck stalls, completely boarded over and roofed with water-tight tarpaulin. The stock arrived in splendid order and condition and were removed to Somes Islapd where they are undergoing the customary quarantine. It is interesting to note a few facts regarding the Duroc Jersey breed in America. Their main claim to recognition is their early maturity and uniformity of carcass, and on the sows side the ability to raise a large litter of uniform pigs. From actual statistics it is found that in one year the Duroc Jersey sow produces 51 per cent., of all the pork and bacon marketed in the United States of America, thereby making the Duroc Jersey sow and offspring the most popular of all breeds oi swine.

GIFT TO GOVERNMENT Three Large White pigs comprising a boar and two litter sisters foi the New Zealand Government recently arrived in Auckland. These pigs, which were the gift of Dr John Hammond, world authority on animal genetics at Cambridge University, were shipped through the agency of Wright, Stephenson and Co. Ltd., and arrived in excellent order. They are registered and on inspection proved typical representatives of the closely in-bred strain of Large White which Dr Hammond has developed for observational and experimental work at Cambridge. The strain was founded in 1934 with a carefully-chosen brother and sister from the same litter. All the pigs in the herd today are descended from this pair and all the matings have been either brother-sister or father-daughter. The aims in developing a strain in this way are: (1) To study the nature of the inheritance of any undesirable defects that exist in all strains of pigs but which can be segregated out by close inbreeding; (2) to obtain, from the good specimens, pigs with a relatively constant- heredity so that they can be used for nutrition and growth experiments. (Variations in results which are not due to feeding but to innate differences in individual pigs can therefore be cut down to a minimum); and (3) to develop a strain of bacon pigs in which good bacon qualities are more or less fixed.

The stock is at present undergoing the usual quarantine period in Auckland.