BPA Database of Berkshire Pigs - How up to date is your data?
Uploaded January 2006

Compare 1113 sows and gilts on the BPA database with just 460 in the latest BK survey. Compare 299 boars on the BPA database with just 109 in the latest BK survey.

If you discount the pigs owned by people not members of the BPA (as they are no BPA members they cannot be intending to register their pigs, so cannot be interested in pedigree breeding) then the figures change to just 681 sows and 165 boars - still a large discrepancy.

Why?
Does it matter?
Are there so many people out there not BK club members? I do know of one person so there may be more. Are their pigs included in the BK survey?

Is the database half full of dead pigs whose death has not been notified to the BPA? Are there a lot of young pigs being kept for breeding but not yet registered? Quite likely, as there is no real need to register a pig until it is sold, or it is to be shown, or it has had a litter that needs to be registered.

For an example of why I think it matters, take the Nama Abel boar line. Lately we (in the BK club) have been thinking that the line is critically endangered, with possibly only 3 breeding boars. But the database now shows 16 boars (including 4 young ones) owned by BPA members, plus 14 others.

• What can we do to make the BPA data more representative of actual breeding pig:

• Review the listed 'Alive' pigs against our own herd designation letter (HDL) and inform BPA of any transfers or deaths. On-going, remember to keep BPA informed of such changes.

• Persuade the BPA to change the status of pigs belonging to non-BPA members, from 'Alive' to 'Other'. The status of 'Other' already exists on the database so this is a relatively easy change to do. This would enable the pigs being kept in a pedigree breeding environment to be distinguished clearly from breeding pigs being kept perhaps just for pork production by non-members who would obviously not inform BPA of any sale-transfers or deaths.

• Can we encourage all BK owners to be club members and / or respond to the annual survey? Difficult, if we don't know who they are?

If any club member does not have internet access and would like a list of their pigs from the BPA database, ring me on 07768 625333 and I will print your list and post it to you. Your HDL would be helpful.

If you feel you would like to respond to this article, please write to Sharon with a reply for inclusion in the next magazine.

Sue Fildes