The Export of Pigs

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16811, 1 June 1926, Page 9

The Export of Pigs

IDEAL BACONER STILL WANTED. In view of the awakened interest in the export of pigs in this district, the following extract from a London "Live Slock Journal" of recent issue will be of interest to pig breeders: —' "Little progress seems to be being made towards the production of (lie ideal bacon pig. Many breeders contend that there is no necessity for any progress in this direction beyond that already made, but it is evident that the farming community do not altogether agree with them, for crosses are still without doubt the most popular pigs for bacon production. Possibly the bacon curers are themselves not without blame, for they do not agree amongst themselves as to the type of pig they require, nor are they prepared to give a premium on the pigs of the class they require. Looked at from the pig feeder's point of view, it seems evident that few, if any, of our present breeds provide the ieeder with exactly the animal he requires. It is true that several breeds provide pigs which can be made to provide fairly good bacon pigs if carefully bred and fed; but they are not the ideal pig. Very slight modifications would turn some of our breeds into as nearly the ideal pig as we are likely to get; but the breed societies, having once fixed their standards or their type, seem to be unwilling to alter this type in the smallest detail to meet the demand of the market. Perhaps they are right, though it seems likely that some of our breeds will go out of fashion and cease to be worth hreeding unless such modifications arc made without any very long delay."