PIG MANAGEMENT

Te Ao Hou, July 1955, Page 24

PIG MANAGEMENT By DIXON WRIGHT (Supervisor, Department of Maori Affairs) The subject of pig farming is a wide one but it is hoped that the following will give some small guide to Maori farmers. Before the farmer goes to the expense of buying good pigs for breeding he should see that the conditions under which he intends to keep them are such that they will have every chance of repaying him adequately for his time and efforts. A good sized pig layout, at least 3 chain from the cowshed, should be erected and the following points kept in mind. (a) The feeding yard should be built at the most convenient point for feeding. (b) Paddocks made sufficiently large to allow pigs to obtain good grazing on good pasture. (c) Satisfactory housing must be provided by way of either a main piggery building or by movable houses in the different paddocks. The latter are cheaply constructed, can be moved frequently and would be suitable for the average farmer. It is most necessary to work to a plan if good returns are to be obtained. A ratio of 1 sow to 10 cows could be taken to commence and possibly increased as efficiency is gained. Buy good purebred maiden sows and a young boar. Select a good cross, for example:—Berkshire sow—Tamworth or large white boar. A balance production should be the aim. According to when milk becomes available sows should be mated so that they are farrowing approximately 2 months before the bulk of herd comes into production. Farrowings should be staggered so that there are sufficient pigs to cope with milk supply at the various stages of the season. The aim should be at 2 litters per sow per year. The first litters can generally be taken to baconer weights and as milk production falls pigs sent away at porker weights. A minimum of pigs should be kept over the winter unless there is an adequate supply of roots and supplementary feed. The best weights to aim at will be:— Baconers 140–150 lbs. Porkers 80–90 lbs. (These are the most profitable pigs.) Heavy Porkers 91–120 lbs.