IMPORTED PIGS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 154, 25 March 1939, Page 8

IMPORTED PIGS

Two Purebred Large Whites

FOR PALMERSTON NORTH Important inovemenlet ot stud stock continue both into and out of New Zealand. Stud breeders, realizing that their exports of stud stock to many countries of the world are dependent upon the hign standard ou which they maintain their studs, are importing the best animals that can be purchased in the Lmted -Kingd°Foremost this week i B - the importation of Large White pigs from Eng and. Consigned to the two well-known Palmerston North breeders of Large White pigs, Messrs. B. E. Keiller and G. M. W huelock, two exceptionally good representatives of the breed have just been released from quarantine. The new arrivals are from the stud of Mr. H. R. .Davidson, Harpeuden, Herts, who is recognized as the foremost breeder of Large White pigs in England and the outstanding authority in Great Britain on practical pig husbandry. In his professional capacity at Cambridge University and in handling and evaluating pig carcases at the huntbfield Market Mr. Davidson had the best of nil opportunities for discovering deuciencies in commercial pigs. Because of pressure of other professional work Mr. Davidson recently found it nessary to relinquish his breeding activities and dispose of bis stud. Before ’the recent dispersal sale an opportunity was given to Dr. C. P. McMeekan, who was then in England, to select the sow and boar, and these "’ere shipped out to the Dominion through the agency or Messrs. Wright, Stephenson and Co., Ltd. A recoguized authority on utility pigs iu New Zealand, Dr. McMeekan, who worked with Dr. John Hammond at the School of Agriculture, Cambridge University. was well equipped to make the selection of what undoubtedly represent the most useful Large 'White utility pigs that have ever reached the Dominion. Subjected to critical examination .at Somes Island recently, both of these pigs revealed features of conformation that have not hitherto been conspicuous in animals of any breed in use in this country. Special points are their extreme width as seen from the back end across the hams and loins, long sides merging into well set fine shoulders, and a strong head and light jowl. For conditions m the Dominion the pigs have the advantage of being bred and reared under outdoor conditions even more severe than those prevailing in New Zealand. These aie the characteristics that have made the Danish nigs famous for best trade purposes. Under the control of such efficient studruastei’s as Messrs, Keiller and Whitelock, the judicious infusion of blood from these Imported animals with the best selection of local breed specimens will no doubt go 11 long way toward lifting the standard of utility pigs 111 New Zealand.