412 SECTIONAL TRANSACTIONS.— M. 



erroneous conclusions. On the other hand, estimates based on age-dis- 

 tribution studies appear to be fairly reliable. Such estimates indicate that 

 the average milking life of dairy cows extends to about four years, the average 

 total length of life, therefore, being about 6J years. This indicates that, in 

 general, dairy cows very frequently fail to attain the age of maximum milk 

 production. 



With regard to causes of loss, disease plays the largest part, accounting 

 for between 40 to 50 per cent, of the annual disposals of stock. With the 

 exception of Johne's disease, the incidence of which is somewhat localised, 

 the major diseases responsible are reproductive diseases (including abortion 

 and sterility), mastitis and tuberculosis. It is of urgent importance that 

 immediate measures should be taken to combat these diseases. It is sug- 

 gested that more emphasis should be laid on the need for ' field ' investiga- 

 tions, rather than that research into the diseases of dairy cattle should be 

 more or less limited to small-scale laboratory experiments. 



Mr. H. R. Davidson. — Pig recording as a factor in increasing and 

 cheapening pig production. 



Investigations into the financial results of pig-keeping carried out recently 

 show that this branch of production has, on the average of farms, been carried 

 on at a loss, amounting in some cases to from 5 per cent, to 20 per cent, per 

 annum on capital. Detailed costs of production on a well-run commercial 

 herd show that with food at id. per lb. the cost of producing a bacon carcase 

 is 155. Sd. per score. During the five years 1926-30 the average cost of food 

 has been just on id. per lb., and the average price of baconers 165. 9c?. per 

 score. It has therefore been possible to produce baconers at a profit of 

 15. id. per score, or approximately 7 per cent, on cost of production. The 

 difference between these figures for possible profit and actual loss are shown 

 by recording to be due to (i) a small number of pigs weaned per sow year, 

 and (2) poor age-f or-weight results . These account for extra costs oi is.^^d. 

 and 15. 2^d. per score respectively, or a total of 25. 8^. This obliterates the 

 possible profit and produces a net loss of 15. yd. per score, or approximately 

 9 per cent, on cost, which is in line with the costing results quoted. The 

 possible improvements which might be brought about by genetic improve- 

 ment are calculated at g^d. per score and 5JJ. per score respectively. 

 The total of 15. zid. is not sufficient to outbalance the loss of is. yd. Poor 

 weaning and age-for-weight results are shown to be largely due to faulty 

 management and feeding, which pig recording denionstrates and thereby 

 helps to cure. While there is much scope for further improvement of pure- 

 bred stock, this is not the major problem in increasing pig production by 

 reducing costs of production. Pig recording, by bringing to light weak 

 points of management and policy, is suggested as the most important single 

 factor in achieving this result. 



Mr. W. A. Stewart. — Adaptation of Swedish systems of housing and 

 recording to English pedigree pig production. 



In Scandinavia pig housing has been carefully studied and tested. Special 

 attention is paid to warmth, lighting, ventilation, cleanliness and labour- 

 saving arrangements. Constructional details are such that it is possible to 

 maintain a high level of hygienic conditions. This results in a relatively 

 low incidence of disease, and in conjunction with other factors helps to 

 secure a high average number of pigs reared per litter. A small ' isolation 



