Ruatoki farmers have always believed in pig breeding and pig clubs and one elder, Mr Hohapata Heremia, has been particularly active in encouraging younger farmers to breed pigs. Frederic Iopata (BELOW) has shown his Birkdale boars, sows and offspring at Galatea. Rotorua, Tauranga. Te Puke and Whakatane in 1953 and again at Whakatane in 1954, when he entered one champion, one reserve champion, four firsts and two seconds. RIGHT: Mr Iopata's champion Birkdale boar. Leading Piggery. Mr Frederic (Miki) Iopata has in two years won thirty trophies with his Birkdale pedigree pigs. One of his boars was judged Champion in Whakatane in 1954. It is only four years ago since Mr Iopata, a returned serviceman, took over his father's 87 acre farm. He at once began to develop his piggery as a sideline without any outside help. His well-kept farm maintains 50 cows, innumerable ducks and fowls, grew enough maize last year to fill 300 bags valued at £2 each, and as a survival of ancient days, Mr Iopata has a genuine traditional Maori kumera pit (PHOTOS ON RIGHT). The top is narrow but the floor is far larger and the kumaras stored at the bottom of the pit, the last remains of the previous harvest were still excellent after a year. Mr Iopata saw similar pits in Italy to store wine. A new home is being built for him by the government at the present time. Apart from looking after her five children all of school age, Mrs Iopata is a very important person to all the farm animals.