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Monday July 12 2010

Sights you never thought you'd see

By Digby Scott

A few years ago most people in the pig industry were too busy losing money to investigate new ways of making a profit. And this year everyone is too busy making money.

But there will never be a better opportunity for people up to age 45 to travel the world in search of profitable ways ahead for the British pig industry.

Before we dispatch our ambassadors to the four corners of the earth in search of good ideas to copy — and bad ideas to avoid — let's take a few minutes to think about what we would like them to investigate on our behalf.

Here are some ideas...

• How are Dutch and Danish producers managing their super-litters? Do large litters reach a level at which they fail to be cost-effective, and if so what is that level?
  
  
• How will environmental and welfare considerations impact on pig production in the United States and Brazil over the next ten years? Will these countries be able to flood Europe with cheap pigmeat as trade barriers come down, or are their costs going to go up too?
  
  
• According to one marketing expert, packaging is the final opportunity to dramatise a brand's core unique selling proposition, create a connection and make people pick up the pack — and to keep on doing this 24 hours a day in people's homes. Okay... so what can British producers learn from the high streets of Japan, China and the States?
  
  
• As United Kingdom MPs become increasingly irrelevant, how are pig-keepers to become really effective lobbyists at the European Commission and the European Parliament?
  

All the above is achievable with Nuffield farming scholarships. Assuming that you, like me, are way too old to apply for a Nuffield scholarship yourself, please let me have YOUR ideas for suitable subjects. Remember Nuffield opens doors all over the world.

And if you have an idea about who would make a good job of carrying out your suggested project — well include his or her name as well. For instance I think Zoe Davies would be excellent at investigating effective European lobbying.

Email your ideas to Too-old-and-decrepid-to-go-myself@pigworld.co.uk.

Pictured above: Nick Green managed to incorporate Hawaii into his Nuffield travels. He will tell you (with a perfectly straight face) that it was essential to his studies.

What Nuffield did for me

CHRIS FOGDEN

"I am fed up with people acting as if they are doing ME a favour when I try to persuade them to apply for a Nuffield scholarship," said East Anglia producer Chris Fogden.

"Do YOURSELVES a favour, get on and do it!" is his advice to all pig industry people who haven't yet reached the age cut-off of 45 years.

Asked how Mr, Mrs or Miss Shy-and-Average can be persuaded to apply, he responded, "Nuffield is as much about personal development as the topics of study. Mr, Mrs or Miss Shy-and-Average are probably more likely to get it than Mr, Mrs or Miss Know-It-All-And-Done-It-All.

"It is all about being able to challenge preconceived ideas. The mixture of people who take part from all around the world is one of the best things about Nuffield."

Chris's Nuffield subject was "Opportunities for further cooperation in the United Kingdom pig sector" and in search of some answers he travelled to Canada, the United States, France and the Netherlands.

It is always said that Nuffield is a great door-opener. Was this his experience?

"You bet. It got me on the actual trading floor for a day at the Chicago Board of Trade which was both fascinating and slightly disturbing.

"But mostly it gave me the chance to grasp fairly random opportunities, usually not directly connected with my subject, such as seeing legendary livestock handling guru Temple Grandin speak at Iowa State University."

Most potential Nuffield scholars are nervous about having to present a report on their travels. But as Nick Green, another pig industry scholar, points out, "Whilst the thought of delivering your research findings to an audience of 200 scholars may be daunting, the upside of the rest of a scholarship far outweighs 15 minutes of presenting."

(And he should know... he managed to incorporate Hawaii into his travels.)

On his travels, Chris Fogden got behind the wheel of a combine during the United States corn harvest, and travelled in trucks leading the corn (maize).

In Alberta, Canada, he visited a Hutterite colony, thanks to ex-pat consultant Bernie Peet.

"I met a fascinating farmer with 11,000 sows and 9,000 acres who could only meet me if I rode with him in his grain truck.

"I did explain to him how much grain carting (leading for northern types) someone with a similar sized operation in the United Kingdom might do — ie. none!"

So what doors has Nuffield opened since? "Difficult to quantify," says Chris. "My restock was an example of neighbourly cooperation and I am certainly more confident than before.

"Joining the Nuffield 'family' has been of huge benefit. Attending the annual conference and various study groups is always fascinating and stimulating."

Chris Fogden did his Nuffield when the British pig industry was still in its decas horribilis. And yes, he did find it hard to fit his travels into the running of his outdoor pig unit.

"I just had to draw a line on the wall planner for the period I was to be away and work around it. Then I learned how well my business could survive without me."

What Nuffield did for me

RICHARD HOOPER

The trouble with Nuffield is that everyone thinks they are too busy to spend eight weeks travelling and their business will fall apart while they are away.

"I was one of those people," admits Richard Hooper, livestock unit manager at Harper Adams University College.

"But as most past scholars will tell you, what actually happens is that colleagues and employees enjoy the challenge of added responsibility.

"In many cases you come back from your travels and wonder whether you are really needed!"

Richard has only just completed his Nuffield travels for his investigation into "The recruitment, training and retention of quality staff in the pig industry".

His travels took him to the United States, Canada, Denmark and Spain. He visited pig businesses ranging from 40 to over 150,000 sows, non-agricultural businesses, universities, levy-funded and government-funded bodies.

Everywhere he went, Nuffield's reputation and contacts ensured doors were opened to him.

"The eight weeks of travelling took a lot of organising and without the support of my wife, my colleagues, my employer and my sponsors, it would not have been possible," he said.

He has now started writing his findings into a report that he hopes will benefit the pig industry and will inspire others to give Nuffield a go.

"I have always been told you rarely regret the things you do in life, but you do regret the things you don't do.

"So if anyone is passionate about the pig industry I would urge them, whatever their background or education or job, to apply for what is one of the greatest personal development programs available in agriculture.

"Don't leave it too late — you have to be under 45 years of age — and don't think you are too busy. Nuffield is aimed at busy people."

• Okay, Richard works in education... he can probably dash off a Nuffield report or two over a pint in the pub. Not everyone is like that. But nobody should let the thought of writing a report put them off applying for a Nuffield scholarship. There are people in the industry who can help you with the wordsmithing.

TVC report

The major processors were again keeping numbers tight and, for the second week running, both Tulip and
Woodheads reduced their contract prices by 1p. TVC report.

Pfizer Trainee of the Year Award

A reminder: deadline for entries is July 30.

News Digest

The latest issue of News Digest for NPA Members is published today and may be downloaded from the Members Area.

Wasted survey

You might think it would be one of the most engaging surveys we have ever run on this site, but no. There have been only three reponses to the Waste Survey so far, definitely an all-time low. But all three responses are useful and will help shape the work of the NPA Regulation Review Working Group. Everybody else — the survey is still running, if you have a change of heart.

sunday july 11 2010

Agency halves IPPC 'determination' time

Above: IPPC permit applications (click image to see high-resolution copy.)

The chart above shows how applications for pig and poultry IPPC permit variations increased last year and this.

Some of the increase in pig sector activity is attributable to investment in the industry's housing stock which was run down and an impediment to economic production.

Up to January 2009 an average five applications a month were received by the Environment Agency. Between January 2009 and the present this has increased to 29 a month.

The Environment Agency set up a 'Zap' team in October after which applications for permit variations were 'determined' (decided) at a faster rate than they were received. This reflects the extra work needed to reduce the Agency's backlog of applications.

Of the 627 IPPC permit applications received since November 2007, 554 have been for poultry, 64 for finishers and 9 for sows.

Since the introduction of its 'Zap' team the Environment Agency has reduced the time it turns round applications for permit variations from an average 6.8 months to an average 3.6 months. The longest an application is expected to take now is down to 7 months from 1.4 years.

Currently 102 poultry applications, 12 finisher applications and 2 sow applications have been received by the Agency and are being processed.

IPPC ammonia conditions may be relaxed

Almost 60 sensitive sites near IPPC pig and poultry units have now been surveyed for evidence of ammonia damage.

The good news for producers is that as a result of the survey a substantial number of IPPC permit conditions relating to ammonia emissions are now likely to be relaxed or removed.

Almost all of the sites surveyed showed some evidence of potential ammonia effects, for example in tree lichens.

But in a large number of cases these are not considered to be preventing the sites from achieving their conservation objectives, because the key features of the site are not showing signs of damage.

saturday july 10 2010

The case for Monday weaning

We should always be questioning the wisdom of our grandfathers, say south-west vets John Carr, Tony O'Loughlin and Jenny Smith.

Take day of weaning for example. It is contemporary wisdom that we wean on a Thursday (70 percent of the industry) or Wednesday (most of the rest).

The only farms weaning on other days are batching twice a week or perhaps every ten days, but these represent only a small number of farms in Europe.

Why do we wean on a Thursday or Wednesday? The primary reason is to allow breeding to occur during the working week, usually Monday and Tuesday, with a few sows on Wednesday or later.

"This made sense historically when only natural mating was used because it took so long to complete and thus weekends were to be avoided," say the St David's Farm Practice vets.

• Read their report in August Pig World.

Batch Farrower of the Year

Pictured above, third from left, is this year's Janssen Batch Farrower of the Year, Steve Blaken, of H and C Blaken and Son, Wormald Green, Yorkshire.

The award was judged last night by consultant Paul Wright, Janssen's Phil MacDonald and Pig World editor Sam Walton.

Pictured second from right is Nigel Wolfenden, Steve Blaken's veterinary adviser. Pictured second from left is Richard Duffield, runner-up, who wins a Snuggler, and on the right is Tim Chapman, who was placed third and who also wins a Snuggler.

French farmers rely on Bulgaria and Romania

French company Business Job Services specialises in recruiting workers from Bulgaria and Romania and placing them on French pig farms.

Minimum gross salary for these workers is £7.40 an hour and total cost to the employer, all included, is £13.30.

In most cases pig farmers have to provide accommodation and medical insurance. Placements usually last one to six months.

The main issue is communication. All recruits are given a technical guide in three languages so they can understand basic pig unit jargon.

European Parliament proposes emissions-linked payments

How should the European Union's farm policy be reshaped and how should it be funded after 2013?

Parliament set out its views in a resolution adopted on Thursday, ahead of the publication this autumn of the Commission's agricultural reform plans.

The big challenges facing the farming world include climate change, the need for secure food supplies, food quality and business competitiveness, say MEPs in a resolution drawn up by British MEP George Lyon, which seeks to influence the debate on how best to remodel the common agriculture policy in time for the European Union's next multi-annual budget discussions.

Since the Lisbon Treaty, the overall European Union reform plans and any European Union agricultural legislation cannot be approved without Parliament's agreement.

The European Parliament stresses that funds allocated to finance the CAP must be "at least maintained during the next financial period" (from 2013).

In addition, agriculture policy should not be "renationalised" (ie. returned to national control) and direct payments to farmers should be fully funded from the European Union budget to avoid any cofinancing by governments that could erode fair competition within the single market.

MEPs also believe that a European Union-funded top-up payment should be made available to reward farmers for reducing carbon emissions and increasing soil sequestration, on a per unit of production basis.

MEPs call for more objective criteria, partly to reduce disparities in direct payments, considering the current hectare basis inappropriate, and partly to reflect regional diversity.

The level of direct payments should be maintained for the sake of both farmers and consumers, they say.

The high standards of food safety, environment, social legislation and animal welfare that Europe's farmers must meet should be rewarded, say MEPs.

Imports from third countries should meet the same criteria, with due respect for World Trade Organisation rules, and traceability should be improved to allow consumers to make informed choices.

Food quality policy is also crucial to improving the sector's competitiveness, says the resolution. Geographical indications of origin need to be strengthened and enforced, so as to allow the European Union to keep its leadership in this area, using protection and promotion instruments.

To ensure fair revenues to the farming community, the European Parliament proposes strengthening producers' bargaining power with processors and retailers, and improving price transparency.

To take account of market developments and particularly of extreme price volatility and subsequent crises, MEPs call for a safety net mechanism, to include public and private storage and intervention, backed by instruments specifically designed to increase price stability.

They also propose new measures, such as creating futures markets or a harvest risk insurance policy to cope with extreme climate conditions.

To counter the abandonment of land, ensure the survival of European Union farming and promote green growth, rural development must remain a central aim of the future CAP and the current two-pillar structure (production support and rural development) should be maintained, says the resolution.

Agriculture urgently needs to attract young farmers and this could be achieved through favourable loans for investment to meet high start-up costs and overcome difficulties in accessing credit.

Meadow Quality report

The relationship between input and output prices moved in the wrong direction yesterday, as contract prices eased by a penny. Sows were back by 1.5p. Fresh-meat plants at least stood-on. But forward prices for wheat moved up considerably, with £120 a tonne quoted for March 2011.

(See wheat futures on Traffic Lights page.)

The latter is due to hastily revised harvest forecasts, with the United Kingdom recording the lowest rainfall since January for over 80 years. If you haven't already taken forward feed price cover, you would be advised to do so as swiftly as possible.

The hot weather is also affecting carcase weights, which are dipping slightly, but we are starting to see P2 levels rise, so a review of feed energy levels should also be considered, as it tends to increase on a seasonal basis – peaking in October.

Demand overall remained fair, with a decent clearance of all pigs sold. It seems 'World Cup stocks' have been cleared and several processors were looking to re-stock again.

The medium term outlook still remains very positive. Latest consumption data over 12 months shows pork to have increased by a further 2 percent, beef down by 1 percent and lamb a considerable 20 percent drop. (Retail price increases will have masked some of these changes in ££s terms).

It is clear that consumers continue to recognise the excellent value pigmeat products offer and as there is little sign of an economic upturn anytime soon, the future for pig production remains favourable. — Greg Mowbray, Meadow Quality.  

Friday July 9 2010

It was a buyer's market today

A quiet day's trading with most contract buyers having enough pigs in the system to meet what was described as patchy retail sales and although the recent heatwave has boosted demand for parts of the pig, the loin remains hard to sell.

As a result the spot sector was more of a buyers' market and most of those out shopping were able to agree deals in the 142–144p range, but some warmer-hearted types were prepared to pay a penny or two more than this, but often on a tighter spec.

The DAPP has held almost unchanged at 147.27p but could ease back in the weeks ahead, although one bit of slightly more positive news is that pig numbers appear to be tight with the hot weather slowing down growth rates. Traffic Lights commentary.

Scotland launches health passports
for imported pigs and semen

The Scottish pig industry is introducing a health declaration form, to ensure all pigs and semen imported into Scotland come from a farm of known health status.

The form, which has been developed by a group Scottish pig industry advisors, requires the source herd of any imported animals to sign a health status statement for specific diseases, based on herd and abattoir inspections, and laboratory testing.

The recommendation will be that this form is provided with every transaction involving the movement of genetic material into Scotland, either in the form of live pigs – such as replacement gilts or weaners – or the semen trade for AI.

High health status is the gold standard for pigs, playing a major role in welfare, productivity, product quality and financial viability, says Quality Meat Scotland.

"Scotland has a strong history of good health in all its livestock, including pigs, and the penalty for disease introduction can be high.

"For instance, introduction of a disease such as enzootic pneumonia, could cost an average pig herd up to £30,000 a year."

Pig genetics companies currently provide information on health matters to their customers, but the group working on this project identified the need to provide all producers with a standard, informative declaration that describes health status as accurately as possible before material is imported into Scotland.

"The majority of our pig exports are as prime foods, and most of the small volumes of imports are live animals for genetics. These animals represent one of the highest risks of importing disease to the Scottish herd," said Jamie Robertson of Livestock Management Systems Ltd, Aberdeen.

"Whilst breeding stock tends to be relatively high health, the fact remains that the main route of pig disease transmission between farms is by live animals and their transport.

"Health declarations are a standard item in Denmark, with results from the four-weekly testing of all breeding herds being made available on open websites within 24 hours. The target in Denmark has been to provide transparency on disease issues.

"When producers are alerted early to health breakdowns in breeding herds it allows them to take early action to prevent or minimise the impact of any health issue on their own unit. The alternative is reaction when a health issue emerges on the unit, which is often too late to prevent significant losses or further spread."

A from has been developed by Jamie Robertson (LMS), David Strachan (Wholesome pigs), Jill Thomson (Scottish Agricultural College), Grace Webster (Meadows Veterinary Centre) and Allan Ward (Quality Meat Scotland).

For more information about the health declarations project visit the farming and processing section of www.qmscotland.co.uk.

Quiz winners get £500

East of England Training Group, the winner of the PIC Total Economy Quiz at British Pig and Poultry Fair, received a £500 from PIC, which will go towards training for the group. Jonathan Green (pictured on the left), a member of the East of England Training Group, receives the cheque from PIC's eastern regional sales manager John Grist.

How task force will cut red tape

Agriculture minister Jim Paice today set out how the new Task Force on Farming Regulation will work to reduce the bureaucratic burdens that English farmers and food producers face.

The minister also announced the membership of the Task Force.

Led by Richard Macdonald, it includes individuals with experience in farming and growing, retail, food processing, conservation, private and public sector management, and regulatory implementation and enforcement, namely Richard Percy, William Goodwin, Heather Jenkins, Marion Regan, John Healey, Andy Robertson, Judith Donovan and Steve Tapper.

The Task Force has been asked to identify ways to reduce the red-tape burden on farmers and food processors by reviewing regulations and their implementation. They will advise how best to achieve a risk-based system of enforcement whilst maintaining high environmental, welfare and safety standards.

Their work will cover:

• Farming (including horticulture).
• Food issues as they apply on farm.
• Food processing where farmer and processor interests overlap.
• And processing of farmed produce.

The group will focus on identifying and making recommendations on:

• Unnecessary measures, which might be revoked or, if European Union-based, renegotiated.
  
  
• Alternative approaches that could reduce the burden of existing regulations – removing gold-plating.
  
  
• Disproportionate or overly complex implementation and enforcement that could be made more simple, empathetic, risk-based and outcome driven.

"We need to target the red tape that ties up our farmers and food businesses and trust in their ability to get on with the business of producing our food, managing our countryside and contributing to our economic recovery," said Jim Paice.

"I want the Task Force to transform how we implement and enforce regulations so that the role of government becomes supportive rather than prescriptive."

The Task Force will first meet this month and will report early 2011, although issues of significant concern will be raised with ministers as soon as they arise.

Red diesel at agricultural shows

The NFU and NFU Scotland have worked with Revenue and Customs to clarify the use of red diesel at agricultural shows. Farmers and growers will now be able to use red diesel in machines such as tractors and telehandlers for travelling to, from and participating in agricultural, horticultural or forestry events; educating and developing skills within the industries; and promoting the industries to the general public. The rules will let farmers and growers take part in events such as local ploughing matches and use their machinery for activities including setting up their local show. However, HMRC notes that travel should not generally exceed 15 miles and the use of the rebated fuel must not be for the commercial gain of the owner of the vehicle.

thursday july 8 2010

Nitrates review

Irish Farmers Association president John Bryan has described the current review of nitrates regulations in Ireland as a key test of the government's commitment to safeguard jobs and remove restrictions that impose unnecessary cost on farming. Speaking at a lobby session with members of parliament and senators in Dublin, he said the review must be used to safeguard thousands of pig and poultry jobs.

Wednesday July 7 2010

Where should the buck stop
with animal welfare abuses

By Digby Scott

Pig producers have expressed considerable disquiet at the failure of Essex abattoir A and G Barber to identify and halt unacceptable treatment of cull sows in its stunning room.

• Video footage.

Some anger has also been directed at the Food Standards Agency, which took on the duties of the Meat Hygiene Service earlier this year, for failing to adequately police animal welfare at the abattoir.

In a statement issued to Pig World this week, the Food Standards Agency says it is unreasonable to expect it to oversee the slaughter of every animal.

In asking for a statement from the Food Standards Agency, Pig World asked whether the Agency should share some of the blame for the welfare abuses that took place at the Barber abattoir.

Pig World requested information about any disciplinary action against Food Standards Agency vets.

The Food Standards Agency statement says:

"Under European Union regulations, full responsibility for animal welfare and food safety in slaughterhouses rests with food business operators. 

"The food business operator must ensure that their slaughterers are competent and appropriately trained, and are licensed to slaughter all species presented to them. Food business operators also have responsibility for the welfare of animals in their care.
 
"Undercover filming by Animal Aid in recent months has emphasised the importance of food business operators having appropriate systems in place to comply with legal requirements and achieve necessary standards of animal welfare.
 
"The scale and complexity of the work the Food Standards Agency  regulates means our vets cannot – nor should there be a need – for them to oversee the slaughter of every animal and bird.  The vast majority of slaughters properly stun and stick animals before they are killed by bleeding.  This is recognised as the most humane way to kill animals in a slaughterhouse. 
 
"The slaughtermen we have suspended performed their duties satisfactorily when watched by an Food Standards Agency vet but the footage shows some appalling actions when they are not being observed."

Before granting a provisional or full slaughterman's licence, and official veterinarian must satisfy himself that the person concerned is competent.

But as is made clear in the Food Standards Agency's statement above, a vet cannot know how a slaughterman will behave when he thinks he is not being observed.

Currently the law does not required slaughterhouses to install closed-circuit television.

The Food Standards Agency supports the use of closed-circuit television in abattoirs. But electronic surveillance can only be effective if the tapes are viewed by the food business itself, and by Food Standards Agency vets.

There was a closed-circuit camera in the stunning room at A. and G. Barber, but it was left to Animal Aid to expose the mistreatment of cull sows.

This leaves the pig industry in a difficult position. Hitherto it has refused to engage with organisations such as Animal Aid and Viva, because of the covert methods they employ.

But on this occasion the industry must be grateful to Animal Aid for exposing appalling incompetence by a licenced slaughterman (who has now been sacked and his licence revoked).

In its final report to the Food Standards Agency, the Meat Hygiene Service said in April, "The Meat Hygiene Service met all its financial targets and exceeded its transformation targets whilst continuing to ensure the protection of public health and animal welfare. This important work will continue to be delivered by the same staff who now form part of the new Food Standards Agency Operations Group."

The industry knows it has been failed by A and G Barber, for allowing animal welfare abuses to take place. Pig-keepers must decide for themselves whether the Food Standards Agency vets should take some of the blame.

Union draws few positives
from Treasury meet

A meeting between NFU Scotland and Treasury officials offered few positives for Scottish farming as the true scale of budgetary constraints became clear.

The wide-ranging discussion with officials at the Treasury encompassed fuel taxation, vehicle excise duty, capital allowances, furnished holiday lettings and National Employee Savings Trusts.

With the budgetary deficit clearly the priority for officials, progress on issues important to the farming sector will be difficult to achieve. The one bright spot was on fuel duty rebate, which will be subject to a consultation this summer, says the union.

Research on green claims

Defra has published research on claims about environmental performance on products and packaging. The research examined the number and types of claims being made. This will be used to inform Defra's work to update the Green Claims Code.