Marlene McPherson, Gleaner Writer
Some of the new and improved breed of piglets developed by the St. Thomas Pig Farmers Association. - MARLENE MCPHERSON PHOTO
St. Thomas:
AS PART of its mandate to assist pig farmers to expand their pig-rearing businesses, the St. Thomas Pig Farmers Association recently distributed the first sets of piglets to its members at minimal cost.
The piglets were bred and fed and prepared for sale on the farm of Rainford Heslop, one of the custodians for the pigs. The members of the association were pleased with the size and health of the pigs. Some weighed as much as 39 pounds at seven weeks old. These piglets were the offspring of one of the six gilts imported from Canada and bred using artificial insemination.
TRAINING SESSIONS
The St. Thomas Pig Farmers Association was formed in 2003 by the then Jamaica Agricultural Society parish coordinator Janet Pullen. There are presently 20 members in the association.
The pig farmers group also facilitates training sessions which are conducted by personnel from Newport Mills Limited. The farmers are taught techniques to care for pigs, proper housing and waste disposal practises, medical applications, among others skills.
Currently the association provides Artificial Insemination (A.I) services at a minimal cost to farmers who require the service.
