Registration
Registration of pigsThe New Zealand Pig Breeders’ Association maintains a registration system for pedigree pigs, and publishes an annual herd book for its members. In order to register pigs with the New Zealand Pig Breeders’ Association, the breeder must be a full financial member of the Association. Registration fee: $7.00 per pigTransfer fee: $4.00 per pigA pig must be registered by its breeder, using their stud name as the prefix along with the pig’s family line name and consecutive number for the name of the pig (i.e. a sow Ardgowan Regal Countess 43rd was bred by M & G Oliver, the stud name is Ardgowan, and as it is a sow the pig is named after the dam line Regal Countess). When new members join the Association, they are asked to nominate the stud name they wish to use. When a sow farrows, breeders are required to complete a Litter Notification Form so that the date of farrow and numbers of piglets are notified to the Registrar. There is no fee associated with a litter notification. To register a pig, the pig must be uniquely identified, and the Association recommends that the breeder ear marks the piglets soon after birth using the ear notching system – see Identification of Pedigree Pigs. An alternative to ear notching is to use ear tags, tattoos or microchipping. Breeders usually only select the best piglets in a litter that are suitable for breeding or showing for registration. Boars are named after the sire line, while sows are named after their dam line. The Pedigree Pig Registration Form must be completed and sent to the Secretary, along with the required fee, which is receipted and passed on to the Registrar for recording. The registration number allocated for that pig is then notified back to the breeder. When a pig is sold, the breeder completes a Pedigree Pig Transfer Form so that the owner of the registered pig is officially transferred to the new owner, so that they can then use the pig for breeding. The Transfer Form must be completed and sent to the Secretary, along with the required fee, which is receipted and passed on to the Registrar for recording. The registration and transfer information for that pig is then notified to the new owner. When a sow is sold ‘in pig’ (pregnant), the name of the boar and the date of mating needs to be recorded on the transfer form so that the information is readily available to the new owner. As the financial year of the Association is from 1 January to 31 December, the annual herd book also covers this time period. |