THE state’s pig industry has been through some of its toughest ever conditions in the past 18 months, but that did not stop producers from filling the pig shed at the Royal Adelaide Show with exhibits of outstanding quality.
That was especially true in this year’s feature breed judging of Large Whites, with three exhibitors offering a great line-up of 32 entries.
Judge John Singh returned to the Royal Adelaide Show this year for his third time judging pigs at the event.
“The first time I came to Adelaide I judged Berkshires, and then I judged the any other breeds section,” he said.
Mr Singh heads up the Punjab stud, running Berkshires, Large Whites, Landrace and Hampshires, as well as a commercial piggery at Byron Bay, NSW.
He said it was a pleasure to judge in Adelaide.
“The overall quality was very good in all breeds, but especially the Large Whites and Landrace,” he said.
“It’s one of the best, and probably biggest, pig shows in Australia.
“The quality is right up there.”
Mr Singh awarded best of breed to a boar from Michael, Margaret, Shaun and Amy Blenkiron’s Gumshire stud at Keyneton.
Gumshire Banfield G260 was sired by Gumshire Banfield D1209 and its dam was Gumshire Mona Lisa D1575.
Its P2 fat depth was 9-millimetres and its weight was 98.8 kilograms when it was 129 days old, giving an average daily weight gain of 766 grams. Banfield G260 also won junior champion and champion boar.
Mr Singh said Banfield G260 stood out in its boar over five months and under seven months class.
“It’s got everything going for him,” he said.
Mr Singh particularly liked the boar’s feet and backline.
The Blenkirons also won reserve junior champion and reserve champion boar with Gumshire Banfield 154.
The stud also impressed with its Large White sows with Gumshire Mona Lisa G265 winning junior champion and champion.
The unmated gilt was sired by Gumshire Banfield D1209 and its dam was Gumshire Mona Lisa D1575.
Its P2 fat was 12mm and it weighed 102kg at 136 days old, for an ADG of 750gm.
The Blenkirons were named most successful exhibitors for Large Whites.
Jim, Rhonda, Greg and Peta Davis, Aroora Enterprises, Murray Bridge, also won broad ribbons, taking out reserve junior champion sow with Aroora Sally G542.
The unmated gilt had 8.5mm P2fat and it weighed 93kg at 134 days old for an ADG of 694gm.
Aroora Enterprises also won reserve champion sow with Aroora Parthenia F6681.
The mated gilt had 9.5mm P2fat and weighed 98kg at 131 days old for ADG of 748gm.
A Large White sow with 11 piglets from Aroora Enterprises won champion sow and litter of all pure breeds.
