MODERN PIG-KEEPING

Waipa Post, Volume 52, Issue 3705, 10 January 1936, Page 10

MODERN PIG-KEEPING

RECORDING ASSOCIATION WORK IN THE WAIKATO Nothing gives a better idea of the very favourable conditions for pigproduction in this country than a comparison of the eight weeks’ weight of the recorded pigs of this country. In the Herefordshire Pig Recording Club last year 405 litters were recorded and the average weight at eight weeks was 29.81 b. In Staffordshire 264 litters were recorded and the average weight at eight weeks was 28.91 b. Now take the New Zealand figures. In the 1930-31 season of the Waikato Pig Recording Club the eight weeks’ average for 909 ordinary farm litters was pust 401 b. Certainly this average was not maintained in subsequent years, owing to new members coming in. In the following two years the percentage of 401 b Weaners was 40 per cent. It has been found that with many new members the first litter weights are disappointing, but with the supervision and advice of the recording officer a big improvement is effected with the second litters. The present season's experience of Waikato Pig Recording and Research Association is the same. The first litters were generally disappointing, but a big improvement with the second litters took place, and 401 b weaners were common. As to number of pigs reared the average number reared for five years for 909 litters dealt with by the Waikato Pig Recording Club was 7.5’.