Importance of the Boar in Breeding a Bacon Carcase
In any consideration of factors calculated to increase the production of bacon in Taranaki, the importance of using a good boar cannot be over emphasised. As the fattening of beef cattle is different from feeding dairy cows, so the growing of bacon is different from other forms of live stock management. It has to be remembered that pigs provide only carcases, with neither wool nor milk production to confuse the issues. Therefore. conformation likely to lead to desirable bacon bodies is one of the main essentials in breeding. In a bulletin on modern methods of pig production, the Department of Agriculture advises farmers to secure a boar whose parents have proved their prolificacy, their rapidity of growth, and their ability to use feed efficiently. The boar must be vigorous, and masculine without being unduly coarse.' Width between the legs, flat bone, silky hair, alert carriage standing well up on the toes, freedom from wrinkles and evenness of temper are some of the external attributes of a good breeding boar. In addition, he should have 12 to 14 rudimentary teats evenly spaced and placed well forward on the breast. In shape, the boar should display length and compactness with an absence of any sign of hollows behind the shoulders. Boar Paddock Desirable. Boars should be kept in a paddock by themselves and fed as carefully as any other animal. The belief that anything is good enough for the boar will not hold to-day. If the boar is run with the sows it is impossible to keep accurate farrowing dates, with the result, that, at her critical moment, some sows will be left unattended. A well-developed boar may be used for a few sows at six months of age, but he is given a better chance of development if, he is restrained from . ser--vice until he reaches eight or even 10 months. It is aclvisable to detusk all boars, an operation that is quickly and easily done by tying the animal to a post or enclosing him in a bail such as ■ some; producers use for ringing purposes; The tusks can then be cut out with a sjiarp wood-chisel. System of Recording.
Until recently, the buyer of a pedigree boar had to depend upon the integrity of the breeder. While, in the" main, transactions were safeguarded by the reputation of the breeder coupled with the system he adopted, there were many farmers who demanded greater protection and insisted upon the testing of pedigree stock. Towards this epd ^ a national service was introduced . fast year on a basis that provided for its wider expansion. Before long, . it should thus be possible to provide boars not only of proved pedigree but of proved ability also. It is anticipated that the general development of the testing or recording soheme will establish better relations between buyers and sellers and will encourage the wider use of pedigree stock in commercial pig production. From a national point of view, purebred boars should be encouraged in order to establish- that uniformity in carcass that is the hall-mark of quality. As a rule the boar stamps his general outward appearance. on his progeny.
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Taranaki Daily News, 30 September 1940, Page 23 (Supplement)
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532Importance of the Boar in Breeding a Bacon Carcase Taranaki Daily News, 30 September 1940, Page 23 (Supplement)
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