Landmark publication marks a century of pig stud breeding

By Jedrie Harmse
|

Following its annual general meeting on 25 September, the Pig Breeders’ Society of South Africa marked a century of stud breeding by launching its commemorative book, Pig Breeders’ Society of South Africa 1919–2019: 100 Years of Pig Stud Breeding.

Landmark publication marks a century of pig stud breeding
At the launch of the book, Pig Breeders’ Society of South Africa 1919–2019: 100 Years of Pig Stud Breeding, were (back, from left): Dr Danie Visser, animal scientist and author of the book; Prof Esté van Marle-Köster, head of the Department of Animal Science at the University of Pretoria (UP); Prof Barend Erasmus, dean of UP Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences; and De Wet Boshoff, managing director of Consolidated Agricultural Services. Front, from left: Dr Helena Theron, senior geneticist at SA Stud Book; Dr Marlene Louw, CEO of the South African Pork Producers’ Organisation; Dr Anna Masemola, deputy director of academic support at UP Library Services; Prof Carina Visser, senior lecturer in the Department of Animal Science at UP University of Pretoria; and CP Kriek, president of the Pig Breeders’ Society of South Africa
Photo: Jedrie Harmse
- Advertisement -

The coffee-table book, compiled and authored by well-known animal scientist Dr Danie Visser, chronicles the rich history, anecdotes, and defining moments of a century of pig stud breeding in South Africa.

Visser, who has been actively involved in the pig industry for more than 40 years, described the task as an ‘after-hours project’ that also involved his wife Elsabé, who was responsible for the book’s layout.

The book’s author, animal scientist Dr Danie Visser, speaking at the launch.

The book was inspired by a casual conversation with breeders at the 2019 Ensminger Pig Symposium in Johannesburg, Gauteng.

- Advertisement -

Beyond tracing the early years of stud breeding and the tradition of pig shows, the book weaves in colourful anecdotes. One story recalls Dr Thomas Volker’s prized Duroc boar, auctioned off for R5 000 in 2000 to the now late Norbert Boetiger of KwaZulu-Natal.

Unable to collect the boar immediately, Boetiger left the animal in its stall over the weekend. By Sunday, news arrived that it had been stolen and likely ended up as braaivleis.

“At R6/kg carcass price against R71/kg auction value, it was indeed a massive loss for that time,” Visser noted

The book also highlights pivotal events in the history of this dynamic industry, including:

  • The 1996 opening of the Porcinaruim, the world’s first pig museum, in Irene, Pretoria which coincided with the 40th anniversary of the National Pig Performance and Progeny Testing Scheme.
  • The Genetic Improvement Symposium for Pigs, held at the Kopanong Hotel and Conference Centre in the East Rand, Gauteng, in 2006, celebrating 50 years of national performance testing.
  • The 2019 Ensminger Pig Symposium, hosted in South Africa for the first time in collaboration with Professor Max Rothschild of Iowa State University in the US, which included the Pig Breeders’ Society of South Africa (PBS) Centenary Gala.
  • The first live embryo transplant in pigs in South Africa in 2017, a breakthrough by PIC South Africa and Dr Morne de la Rey, director of Embryo Plus.

The book is available for purchase directly from the PBS. Orders can be placed by phoning PBS secretary Teresa Rust on 051 4100 958, or by emailing her at [email protected].

- Advertisement -

MORE FROM FARMER’S WEEKLY