PIG INDUSTRY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 83, 8 April 1933, Page 18 (Supplement)

PIG INDUSTRY

ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETS VARIOUS TOPICS DISCUSSED. Topics considered at a meeting of the Pig Industry Advisory Committee at Wellington recently (says an exchange), included the system of grading for export and homo supply, a scheme for supplying sows to farmers on easy terms, the best breed of pig to produce the desired type of carcase, and the suitability of various meatmeals in the production of by-products. The chairman, Mr. J. Fraser, presided. Dr. C. J. Rcakes said the system of grading had now been placed on a definite basis. The conclusion had been arrived at that the principle should be to start on not too severe a basis, but to take present export grading as a basis with the intention of working the standard up gradually. He had had some discussion with the Bacon Curers’ Association and realised fully that the curers had established a good standard an ’ wanted to sec it maintained. He had drafted a proposed notice regarding grading, and if the committee agreed -with it, he would recommend the Minister of Agriculture to approve it. The notice would ho supplemented by instructions to graders and inspectors. Two specifications for the various grades were those adopted previously by the committee with two exceptions, one that weight classification of porkers was included as adopted by tho Meat Importers’ Association, and Smithfield, and the other that on the recommendation of the £acon Curers’ Association the maximum thickness of back fat in baconcrs weighing 1201 b. to 1401 b. was reduced from liin. to Ilin. Grading Specifications. The. following motion was carried: “That as the specifications provided for porkers up to J 201 b., baconers should commence at 1211 b.; that the division 1211 b. to 1401 b. fur baconers be subdivided to give a range of 1211 b. to 1301 b. and 1311 b. to 1401 b.; that the minimum length from aitch bone to first rib should be 2fiin. for pigs weighing 1211 b. to 1301 b. and 27in. for pigs weighing ,1311 b. to 1401 b; that the maximum.thickness of back fat at shoulder not to exceed in pigs weighing 1211 b to 1301 b. ami 1 Jin. in pigs weighing 1311 b. to 1401 b.” Mr. W. A. Phillips referred to the advisability of adopting a scheme for supplying breeding sows t • farmers. In Canada, he said, a farmer could apply to the Department of Agriculture for a breeding sow or sows, which would be selected in the saleyards by an officer of the department, mated with a pedigree boar and consigned to the applicant, who was charged only a very reasonable amount for the transaction. The chairman said that a somewhat similar system was operated in tho United States by meat packing firms. When linos of sows were sent t” tho works, good quality breeding sows wore put aside, bred to suitable boars and then sold to farmers at tho original cost, phis expenses. He had suggested that the Waikato Pig Recording Club should look into the idea. Recording Club’s Efforts. Mr. E. E. Hale said the Recording Club had written to three freezing companies in Auckland on the subject of instituting such a scheme, but the replies received were not helpful. The club had, however, put a scheme in operation with one large brooder, who had agreed to segregate good sows and mate them with a good boar. A number of such sows had boon purchased for members of tho Recording Club so that they could ascertain the value of the scheme. It was decided to take no action in the meantime, but. to await developments from the scheme being tried by the Recording Club. Tho opinion that the committee should take a definite stand regarding tho type of pig required in New Zealand and should impress on tho farmer tho type he should h"”' was expressed bv Mr. C. Hausmann, who moved: “That this committee recommends that farmers should get the type of pig which will give the kind of carcase required, for which purpose tho Largo White or the Tamworth boar should be used.” Mr. Hale seconded the motion. Discrimination Resented. Mr. J. A. Russell moved an amendment. that the words, “the. Large White or Tamworth boar.” be deleted and the words, “any long, type, fineshouldered boar,” bo substituted. He said it was wrong to single out two breeds when it had been proved conclusively that other breeds wore satisfactory. There was no seconder to Mr. Russell’s amendment, and Mi. Hausmann s motion was carried, with one dissentient, Mr. Russell. The need for the standardisation of meat meal was emphasised in a resolution from tho Waikato Pig Recording Club, which read: “In view cf certain cases which have recently come before the club in relation to variations of meals of the same brands, wc feel we arc obliged to appeal to the Pig Advisory Committee to ascertain if something cannot be done to bring about tho standardisation nf meat meals and mcat-and-bone meals. Failing anything being done, this co .miltee fools it will bo forced, in .*olf-defcnce. to recommend by their brands thosc # meals which have been tried out aiid proved Batisfactory.' ’ Analysis of Samples. I Dr. I'teakes advised (bat the Depart ment of Agriculture bad been obtaining samples from all works with a view to examining them, and where they were not of good quality t • taking the matter up v.ith tho. manufacturers. In reply to an inquiry bv Mr. Phillipa us to whether a. standard analysis could not be fixed by the department. Dr. Rcakes said that when the samples were all analysed, from the data obtained a standard composition could be sot out. but tho manufacturers could not bo expected .to conform strictly to tha + so long as they made a material that approximated it. Ho did nut think regulations were required. Sufficient pressure could be brought In bear on manufacturers by advertising ihe names of brands of meat- which cornplied with the standards set up. It was decided that the matter be left for the department to deal with in the manner indicated by Dr. Rcakes.