AN APPRECIATION

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20930, 8 January 1938, Page 16

AN APPRECIATION

THE PIG INDUSTRY EXTRACT FROM THE ENGLISH PIG BREEDERS’ ANNUAL 1937 Last year witnessed a decided advance in the Pig Industry of New Zealand. The rate of production increased, the number of Porker and Baconer carcases exported in the 193536 season being 699,561 carcases against 587,409 in the preceding season. The dairy farmers of the country, especially those supplying butter-making factories, are realising the possibilities in the industry, where the pigs are properly managed. These men can produce the best class of pig meat, as the main food they use is fresh separator; a much better and safer pig-food than the mixed separated milk brought back from a factory. Whey feeding has also been proved successful under the open-air system, where the whey is fed four or five times a day and is fortified with .some meal. There has been a big advance in pig-keeping methods in New Zealand. due in great part to the establishment of pig-recording clubs, financed mainly by the Meat Producers' Board. In one district, not served by a recording club, an excellent system for creating general interest among farmers in improved stock and improved methods has been adopted. This is the Danish Pig Club, in which twenty to twenty-five farmers cooperate especially for the purchase of recorded breeding stock. This system is likely to be greatly extended. It should do more to advance the general standard of the industry than recording clubs. The best work done in the dissemination of up-to-date pig-keeping knowledge has been that of the New Zealand Co-operative Pig Marketing Association, which has widely distributed a first-class text book, has promoted many field days and lectures, has produced two first-class cinematograph films, and is now supplying members with a monthly publication, a practical seasonal guide The moving pictures have had a strong appeal, and have proved highly successful. In addition to illustrating the open-air system of keeping pigs, the films have splendidly demonstrated the great care taken in the inspection of export carcases, and have shown what a heavy toll disease (which is generally the result of bad management) makes on profits. Now, as a further educational service to its members the Association has appointed to its staff an instructor to •serve as advisory officer and to select breeding stock for suppliers. A very important development of the past year is that the Government in response to an appeal from the Pig Breeders’ Association, and the two Recording Clubs, has established a system of recording pedigree pigs, and has appointed a special officer in charge of educational work. The officer appointed, Mr M. J. Scott. M.Ag.Sc., was Professor of Chemistry at the Lincoln Agricultural College and his appointment is a most popular one. The introduction of a national grading system, under Government control and designed to improve the type and quality of our Pork and Bacon, to cater for the class of trade, is contemplated. At present, although a certain amount of supervision of grading in respect of New Zealand pig carcases is within the scope of the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board, owing to the standards being fairly lax those producers honestly endeavouring to produce the ideal carcase are not rewarded by greater compensatory payment for better quality. This laxity has been contributed to by many proprietary companies, who purchase their supplies on the hoof, through saleyards, where the average quality governs the price which is paid. It is understood, however, that it grading is undertaken by the Government, a specified differential rate oi payment will be made, which will mean payment strictly according tc grade. This system will tend to rapidly improve the already quite fair quality in evidence. Such a policy, it is hoped, would eliminate the purchase of pigs by exporters through the saleyards, and result in all pigs being paid for as carcases. From a marketing viewpoint, the most important event Is the acquiring of the largest bacon curing business in the country (the Kiwi Bacon Company) by the N.Z. Co-op. Pig Marketing Assn. Ltd. This Bacon Company now completes the local direct connec-

tion between the producer and consumer of the baconer product. Altogether, the pig-keeping industry in New Zealand is rapidly being placed on a good footing. Having confidence in its future, farmers are adopting modern methods, and with the advent of grading, improvement in the type of pig produced Is definitely assured. The Tam worth remains the most popular pig of the country, with the improved Berkshire a good second. There are herds of Large Whites and Large Blacks, but the Tamworth and Berkshire do so well under ordinary farm conditions, the weaners of which being always saleable in the public saleyards, that the Large Whites and Large Blacks are being kept only by those who arc endeavouring to breed improved export carcases. The Large White breed has suffered because of some inferior strains which have found their way into the country, but generally speaking, the majority of the strains of Tamworth and Berkshires in the country are of a high standard.