PIG MANAGEMENT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 August 1938, Page 9

PIG MANAGEMENT

ADDRESS AT GREYTOWN ESTABLISHMENT OF CLUBS An interesting and instructive address on swine husbandry was given in Greytown by Mr H. R. Denize, of the Agricultural Department, Palmerston North. Associated with him were Mr A. T. P. Hubbard (Agricultural Department, Masterton), and Mr E. P. 1 Nielsen, supervisor to the Wellington District Pig Council Mr H. T. Tilyard presided. Mr Nielsen stated that the pig club movement had been going over twelve months, and tone, club had already been established at Morrison’s Bush. He was hoping to get sufficient dairymen interested to start another club at Grey town. The whole scheme was financed by a levy of 2d on each pig, and growers had to pay this whether they were a member of a club or not. Each club had its representative on the district council, and in turn the district council was represented on the national council. They were in close co-operation with the Agricultural Department, whose officers were wanting to improve the pig industry. Mr Hubbard said that the Wairarapa was not as pig-minded as some districts, and he was endeavouring to foster a greater interest in the industry, as the need for greater expansion was obvious. He thought the pig should be placed in a more exalted position in the minds of the farmer, than it held today. Mr Denize, who illustrated his address with lantern slides, said that useful farm animals which produced milk, meat, wool and labour were very important links in the chain connecting agriculture and mankind. The history of live stock development showed that nations which had supported the animal industry, and which had had the benefit of its products had attained the highest degree of intelligence. He went on to say that disease levied a heavy tax. To the live-stock farmer, animal disorders were the greatest single source of loss. Hundreds of animals worth thousands of pounds died each year, in many cases from preventable diseases. The illustrations showed the most popular breeds of pig for the Home markets, modern housing and feeding and other instructive pictures to pig-breeders. At the conclusion of the address several questions were answered by Mr Nielsen, and the visitors were accorded a hearty vote of thanks.