MODERN PIG-KEEPING.

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 19052, 16 September 1933, Page 19 (Supplement)

MODERN PIG-KEEPING.

Over 491 b at Eight Weeks. Recently there appeared In the daily papers brief particulars of tho remarkably fine average of 49.151 b at eight weeks for 13 pigs of the one litter. The report came from Hawke’s Bay. Fuller particulars of this splendid record of production have been rtceived by Mr, C. M. Ilume, Dominion Supervisor of Herd-testing.

In considering this high average It should be pointed out that all the records of the Waikato Pig Recording Club go to show that what the weight of yomg pigs is at eight weeks It will, under decent farm management, he two \nd a-half times that weight at 16 weeks, so at 16 weeks these pigs should hi over 1221 b live weight, or rather heavy-weight porkers. This Is assuredly great’economy In production and undoubtedly proves the possibilities In up-to-date methods of pig-keeplngin Now Zealand, and when prolific strains are correctly fed and managed. \ Tho outstanding lesson from this record Is that Ahe keen man who made the record, J. L. Miller, manager for Miss Breen, of Hastings, followed exactly the method of feeding advocated by the Waikato Pig-Recording Club, whose work Is very closely followed by Mr Miller. In writing of the club’s influence on bis work IHr Miller says: “ The valuable work performed by your club demonstrates tho value of

litter-recording and the value of your experiments with feeding are mani'est

in the result we have obtained on this occasion.’’ Fortunately for Mr Miller he had a sow that responded to the proper treatment.

The method of feeding is to give the sow lib of meat meal a day for a month before farrowing, and up to 21b a day while she is feeding the litter. As soon as the young commence to feed (it was not till they were five weeks old they were induced in this case to take extra feed) they receive Joz. of meat meal a day in the creep, this ’being gradually increased till the little ones are getting llb a day at eight weeks, the gradual increase being most Important. The rapid Increase In weight when the young pigs get on to meat, meal is demonstrated by the following weekly wdghings: July 25 (three weeks of age),average weight, 19.41 b; August 6 (tvo days under five weeks), 19.41 b; Augist 13 (after having had meat meal fir five days). 29.211): August 20, 35.71 b; August-27, 46.231 b; August 29,49.15 lh.

It, is interesling to note that the seven hoars of the litter averaged 211) weight nl. three weeks, the heavest being 141 b and ihe lightest Ulh, whereas the, six sow' pigs nveragd 12.311). Hie heaviest being 151 h aid •tho lighest 911>. A! eight weeks Hi average of Ihe seven hoars was 48.41 h the heaviest being 541 b and the light*

est 421 b, whereas the six sows averaged 501 b, the heaviest being 581 b and the lightest 451 b. * # # * Meat Meal and Meat Meal. ~r-, Mr Miller had an experience with meat meal which again proves the need of standardising this important foodstuff. Difficulty was experienced in enoouraging the litter to commence eating meat meal in the creep. A different brand of meat meal was then used and the young pigs took to it at on'oe. Obviously the second brand was more palatable. The total oost of the meat meal used for the sow (Including the meal used a month before- farrowing) and the 13 pigs to eight weeks of age, was 26s 4d, or less than 2s a pig. * * * * Checking of Reoord. In all litter weighings recorded by the Waikato Pig Recording Club the pigs are weighed by the Recording Officer. Private records, as in herdtesting, can hardly be accepted for publication. Mr Miller Is weighing a herd outside the operating area of the Recording Club so he adopted the wise course of having the pigs weighed by the local Government stock inspector. Under these ciroumstarices the weights \vill be accepted without question. * * • • The Breeding. Of course the great weights obtained could not have been obtained but for the very prollflo and good mothering sow, a member of a proved prollflo strain. She Is a pedigree Large White Walone 18-3, whose dam, Waione Attendant 18th, reared 'l2 pigs averaging 371 bat eight weeks. The sire of the litter was Hiwlnui Victor, whose litter mate, Hiwlnui Delight, oreated a New Zealand reoord under the Manawatu Recording Club, by rearing 11 pigs averaging 49.451 b at eight weeks. Walone Pride, the mother of Hiwlnui Viotor, was the second highest 'sow recorded by the Manawatu Club, rearing ten pigs averaging over 461 bin weight at eight weeks. Mr Miller, who Is an enthusiast, is to be congratulated on proving the great possibilities In pig-keeping in New Zealand when the lessons of pig-recording are applied in an intelligent manner. He has dono what any farmer in the Dominion can do, provided, of course, breeding animals of a proved prolillc and rapidly-maturing strain can be obtained, The work of pig-recording has provided the guide that is needed to successful pig feeding and management. Still Its work has only dommenced. Not till every breed of pedigree pigs In the country 3s recorded, and the utility value of every breeding animal is thereby made known to all farmer purchasers, will pig-recording serve its most valuable ■ purpose. j

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

“ Amateur,” Morrinsville. The best potato manure and probably t-lie best garden manure is a complete manure made up as follows:—Gib of superphosphate, 41b of sulphate of ammonia and 31b of sulphate ot potash. It is necessary that the potash should be in the form given. “Puzzled,” King r.ounlry.—You should certainly lime. In the ahscn'co of lime you will never get Ilic full benefit of fertilisers. Where tho land carries heavy milking stock the demand for lime is considerable, while with our rainfall the loss of lime, by being washed out of the top layer of soil, is very great. T.M., IMalamata. —It is Just as

well to allow the milk to naturally sour. Heat would only be necessaryin very cold weather. The whey is undoubtedly good for pigs. If you think the whey Is too acid, add about a tablespoonful of ordinary ground limestone to each bucketful of whey. Lime In any case is good for pigs. Feed the whey four times a day.' A large amount of liquid food at the one time Is a mistake. Mix the meat meal with a little of the whey first, and shortly afterwards give the balan'ce of the whey.