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Pig Farming

1964 , Cambridgeshire (Cambridgeshire)

Cat no. 361

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From birth to the market - the life of a piglet

We see the pigs grazing in a field in front of a black and white timbered building. The farmer feeds the pigs in the yard. The commentary explains the importance of the pigs' diet. Piglets feed from their mother. They weigh about 3lb at birth and require feeding every two hours. The commentary explains that they are weaned at 6 - 8 weeks. The jobs of the pig farmer are explained and illustrated. He has to cut the piglets' teeth to stop them biting their mother. He mixes the feed and at seven days old they are injected with iron. The piglets are weighed at three weeks old. At this stage they weigh about 15lb. Their weight is recorded and their ears stamped for identification. At three months old they are examined by a vet. Some are sent to market as store pigs. As the farm workers struggle to catch the pigs place them in the van to go to market, the commentary explains that pigs are clean animals. They are also intelligent and obstinate. Indeed, the reason why nomadic tribes don't keep pigs is that it is impossible to drive a herd of pigs in the same direction. At the cattle market the pigs are unloaded. Some pedigree pigs are at the market. They are mixed with herds to improve the quality. At the farm, the pigs are injected against swine fever and skin disease. At Cambridge Cattle Market the pigs are judged and then an auction takes place. This is carried out by Parker and Comins, auctioneers. The animals are loaded into trucks to be taken to their new destinations. The film ends with further pig scenes on the farm.

Keywords

Farming; Market

Other Places

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

Background Information

Hugh Brandon-Cox was born in Essex in 1917. After World War II he became editor of the 'Westcountryman' Magazine. In the 1963 he began making films for the Educational Foundation for Visual Aids. He later became a painter, painting the Norfolk landscape. The sale takes place at Parker and Comins pig auction at Cambridge Cattle Market. The auction house Geo Comins was founded in Ely 1867. In 1987 Comins merged with Cheffins, Grain and Chalk to form Cheffins, Grain and Comins. See Cheffins website.

  • Producer : Brandon-Cox Productions

  • Sponsor : The Educational Foundation For Visual Aids

  • Other : Techincal Advisor - Jack Saddler

  • Camera : Hugh Brandon-Cox

  • Other : Educational Adviser - F.A. Salisbury

  • Distributor : The Educational Foundation For Visual Aids

  • Other : Made in co-operation with the National Committe for Audio-Visual Aids in Education

Manifestations

Pig Farming

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