Hard time for pig farmers

Pig farmers have it tough at the moment with a low scheduled price for the meat, high barley prizes and the Government approving untreated foreign pork imports, says Richard Cooley, supreme pig winner at the New Zealand Pig Breeders Association's Stratford show early this month.

But, it is in his blood, he says, and he will keep going.

NZPBPG Ltd (New Zealand Pure Breed Pig Genetics) won the coveted award with  1-year-old Hillview Maple 27th, a Large White sow.

She is pure mated and at the show had her first litter inside.

``I had hopes that she would win.''

It was Richard's second premier pig win, having taken the trophy in 2005, and following in the footsteps of his father, Jeff, now retired, who won it in 2001.

Richard says he interbreeds his stock through semen imported from the United States for good meat production but that it is vital to also keep pedigree stock with pure lines for breeding purposes.

Imported semen  has to adhere to strict regulations.  Donor boars have four blood tests and a semen test to make sure they are  clear of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), before the semen is allowed into New Zealand.

``We have to keep the pure breeds. Otherwise it will be lost for ever.''

According to the New Zealand Pig Breeders Association breeds farmed in New Zealand today have changed in the  past few years, back to Saddleback, Large Blacks, Tamworths, Berkshires, Euros and the Kune Kune.

Meanwhile, the Large White and Landrace pedigree numbers have declined rapidly throughout both North and

South islands in recent years as commercial pig farmers find the going tough with grain prices sky rocketing, causing  many to go out of business.

Richard at 33 has more than 15 years' experience in pig farming.

He says he learned the trade from his dad and some of the ``old hands'', including retired pig farmer Bruce Miller,

Joe Fohn and Alan Hicks.

He runs 80 sows with 2.2 litters every 28 days with breeds including the Large White, Hampshire, Landrace, Duroc and Berkshire.

Their feed includes barley, meat meal, home feed and blood and fish.

Though business is tight at the moment, he looks to the future with plans of growing his piggery.

``I will build it slowly.''

 

There was a total of 42 pigs entered in the NZPBA show and sale. The exhibitors came from as far north as Pukekohe to as far south as Masterton and Levin. Other major placings won by locals were:

NZPBPG Ltd also won Best Duroc - any age with Hillside Queenie 14th; Best Landrace - any age with Hillside Mary 17th; Best Large White - any age with Hillview Maple 27th; Best pig of the show overall under 10 months with

Hillside Mary 17th. Best Large Black - any age was won by Midhirst farmers JD and RA Fredrickson's Belview Jasmine 9th.