PIG INDUSTRY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 161, 17 May 1940, Page 5

PIG INDUSTRY

DISTRICT CLUBS ACTIVITIES WORK ON RANGITAIKI PLAINS On Monday evening the first meeting of the Central Committee ol' the Rangitaiki Plains Pig Clubs was held at Mr E. C. Haultain's resi« dencc. Otakiri, Onepu, Western Drain, Awnkeri and White Pine Bush Pig Clubs were respectively represented by L. Cristall, R. Withy E. Haul tain, T. Powell and C. Duncan . The object of the committee is - to set up machinery for dealing Avith matters, which may arise from time to time, revelant to the functioning of the clubs, general principles of policy and interchange of club stock; further to facilitate contact with the District Council through its local representative and fake advantage of the representation within the national pig industry offered by the pig club movement. A general discussion covered practically the whole range of modern pig production practise. The paucity of reliable feeding information collected on a scientific basis was brought under review and it was resolved to instigate a series of carefully conducted feed trials around about the Plains. A recommendation was brought forward urging Clubs to conduct litter ballots at a heavier weight, preperably at the bacon stage, than has been done hitherto. Doing so avoids the obvious pitfalls associated with breaking up and distributing litters at 8 weeks of age. Considerable thought was given the problem of arranging the successful interchange or inter-cltrb sale of club stock, and it was finally agreed that this could' Best usefully accomplished by would-be purchasers and vendors indicating their respective requirements and holdings, to the Supervisor personally, either by letter or phone. If clubs litters are to be raised' fo bacon weights or near bacon ■weights, before being balloted the scope for j interchange of club stock will become considerable. The committee will meet quarterly,. unless circumstances warrant more frequent meetings, and it is anticipated that the next meeting will be held about the middle of August.