tuesday may 18, 2010

Mixed enterprise farming in the farrowing pens

This photo was taken by East Anglia producer Jonathan Green on his mobile. It shows a mallard's nest in the right corner and newly-hatched ducklings joining the newly-born pigs for warmth and company.

The ark was not used between batches so was empty for five weeks, explains Jonathan. The nest was discovered after the next batch of sows went into the pens.

The mallard flew away when the newly farrowed sow was being checked but staff decided to leave the eggs in case it came back.

"Next day the ducklings had hatched so again we decided to leave them, with the fender off the ark.

"The ducks in this picture are two days old. Later the same day they were gone. We assume mum took them some where safer."

Spelman warns against more Brussels red-tape

United Kingdom's new environment secretary has started to make her presence felt in Brussels, with a warning about the high burden of regulation on Europe's food producers.

Signalling that red-tape is a threat to jobs in agriculture, Caroline Spelman said any debate on Europe's agri-food model must be linked to job creation.

The "high burden" of regulation was a specific area for future reform, she told journalists after yesterday's European Union farm council meeting.

At farm council there was general agreement among farm ministers that Europe's high food safety, quality, animal welfare and environmental standards meet the demands of discerning European consumers.

But ministers were concerned these standards were not sufficiently recognised on the world stage, nor indeed in the European Union itself.

Brussels is currently working towards a framework for European food standards and labelling but Holland and Germany dispute that centrally imposed standards are the right way to go, preferring to see private initiatives in these matters.

Farm commissioner Dacian Cioloş says greater efforts need to be made to convince Europe's commercial partners of the value of the European agri-food model.

He is clear that European Union sanitary requirements must apply to all European products, whether imported or not, he says.

European farmers union Copa has welcomed the move towards "an ambitious European Union promotion policy to increase its market shares in non European Union countries".

Members area

The NPA members area has been updated today.

Free trade with Brazil threatens Europe's pig farmers

European Union free-trade talks with the Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay) were relaunched yesterday despite fierce opposition from 14 European Union member countries.

The free-trade negotiations, which had been stalled since 2004, could pave the way for European Union agriculture taking a £10 billion hit, with more pork, beef and poultry-meat being imported from Brazil and its neighbours.

In reopening the talks, Brussels has signalled it is prepared to sacrifice agriculture in return for a significant increase in trade in manufacturing and services.

Commission president José Barroso sees the negotiations leading to one of the largest free-trade areas in the world, with 750m consumers.

He said yesterday that both sides would have to "avoid protectionism in all its forms".

At a meeting of the European farm council, farm ministers from a majority of European Union member countries — but not the United Kingdom — opposed the relaunch of the Mercosur talks which could mean, for instance, a 70 percent increase in beef imports.

Ministers from France, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Luxembourg, Austria, Cyprus, Greece, Belgium, Slovenia, Slovakia and Romania have voiced concern about lack of consultation and have demanded a full impact assessment.

These countries are keen to underline that the European Union "should not pay twice", ahead of a deal on the Doha Development Agenda. They are all concerned about the potential impact on the European meat sector.

The free-trade talks are expected to result in 20,000 tonnes more pigmeat arriving on the European market from the Mercosur countries.

European Union farm commissioner Dacian Cioloş has complained that agriculture is always the "adjustable variable" in trade negotiations. He is clear the talks have the potential to damage European Union agriculture.

At farm council, Ireland was particularly vocal about the impact a future deal will have on the distinct market for high quality beef cuts.

Ireland believes the relaunch of the talks could jeopardise a successful outcome in the stalled World Trade Organisation negotiations, because it reduces the incentive for Brazil and its neighbours to commit to the negoitiations.

Italy has protested that the European Union is attempting to reduce tariffs and farm support at the same time.

Danish farms minister Henrik Børge Høegh has drawn attention to the knock-on effect a Mercosur deal would have on jobs.

European Union trade commissioner Karel De Gucht has promised to produce an impact assessment.

Farm commissioner Dacian Cioloş says it is far too early to discuss any potential support package for farmers affected by the trade deal.

European farmers union Copa says reopening the Mercosur talks will endanger Europe's high quality and safety standards.

"Any further pressure on farmers' incomes would be unbearable, causing an exodus from the sector and from the rural areas of the European Union".

sunday May 16, 2010

Medal for shining Nottinghamshire star

In the pig industry we know Julia Blant best for her outstanding service with Ladies in Pigs over the years, but in Nottinghamshire they love her for being an all-round good egg who has helped farming in myriad ways.

Thus at Newark and Nottinghamshire Show this month she was awarded a medal for 25 years' outstanding service to agriculture, including ten years founding and running the local agricultural training group, as well as 15 years with Ladies in Pigs. Julia is pictured here with husband Richard Blant.

The Pigman's Handbook of Problem Solving

A new book from pig industry consultant Gerry Brent will be published later this year. The Pigman's Handbook of Problem Solving will help producers and their staff pin-point the real causes of performance problems.

In the book, Gerry Brent will emphasise the importance of looking at all available evidence — including pig unit data and observation — before reaching a firm conclusion.

He will discuss the main performance issues likely to be encountered on pig units, including low litter sizes, high levels of stillborn pigs, high post-weaning mortality, slow growth rates, low feed intakes and high feed conversion ratios.

In each case he will examine all the possibilities and steer readers to the most likely cause, and the most appropriate course of action.

David Black Award winner Gerry Brent began his career in pig production before moving into agricultural education.

He then became manager of the National Agricultural Centre pig demonstration unit, after which he embarked on a career in consultancy and pig unit management.

He is the author of three other textbooks, including The Pigman's Handbook, a companion to his new book, which will be published by Crowood Press.

We provide a reminder on this page when the book is available. — D.S.

Not so ready after all

A survey among members of the National Association of Danish Pig Producers shows Danish producers are not as ready for the 2013 partial stalls ban as has previously been claimed.

Taken with the Danish pig industry's huge debts, a diminished willingness by banks to lend to producers, and poor earnings, this suggests the national pig herd is going to shrink.

Industry chiefs have been reporting that more than 70 percent of sows are now loose-housed in Denmark.

But this new survey shows only 50 percent have so far converted to loose housing, with small farms in particular lagging behind.

The overall conclusion is that today probably only 55-60 percent are housed in the conditions that will be required from 2013.

French producers run 'everyone wins' campaign

Buying pork is a good way to feed the family... but buying French pork is a way to feed the family and to ensure a living for French pig farmers.

This is the gist of a series of adverts promoting French pork in France.

"Our production methods are the most demanding in terms of feeding, protection of the environment, also 98 percent of pig farms are family owned," says one of the adverts.

However the claim about family-owned farms is being challenged by an anti-meat group.

Animal welfare should be based on evidence

Government policies for farm animal welfare should be based on evidence, says the Farm Animal Welfare Council in a consultation on its strategic plan for 2010-2015.

• Which types of evidence are most suitable and which should be given little credence?
  
  
• How should different types of evidence be balanced?
  

The council proposes a study of these issues. Its aim is to provide objective guidance on the evidence base for policy. NPA will be taking part in the consultation.

Danish Crown targets Germany

Danish Crown wants to repeat its successful (and highly profitable) British Tulip venture in Germany.

It is currently negotiating to establish a slaughterhouse in Germany, although whether this will be an acquisition, a start-up, or a partnership with an existing company is not clear.

Danish Crown has been forced into this position bearing in mind the millions of Danish pigs now been killed in Germany by German slaughterhouses.

But it is emphasising its goal is to focus on slaughter pigs produced in Germany, just like the Tulip model in Britain.

At the same time, admits Danish Crown, and in particular situations, the company may send slaughter pigs to Germany.

Pig unit statistics

From Defra's Pigs and Poultry Farm Practice Survey 2009, published this month.

• 79 percent of holdings with outdoor pigs use a site rotation system with an average of 17 months being spent in a paddock before rotation.
  
  
• 35 percent of holdings with pigs are part of a pig breeding pyramid.
  
  
• The majority of pig slurry is stored either in cellars, pits or channels beneath livestock housing (38 percent) or in unlined earth bank lagoons (30 percent).
  
  
• A large proportion of farmyard manure is stored in the open with 56 percent being stored in the open with no constructed base and 33 percent being stored in the open on a concrete base.
  
  
• 46 percent of pig holdings use contractors to spread their farmyard manure or slurry.

Defra Pigs and Poultry Farm Practice Survey 2009.

German activists will target tail-docking

Animal rights activists in Germany say they will target tail-docking.

But government says that as millions of weaners are imported to Germany every year from neighbouring countries, tail-docking should be a European issue.

Germany wants to to develop guidelines with
interested European Union partners, such as Denmark or Holland.

Danish Crown reports good half-year

A half-yearly net profit of £68m from a £2.4b turnover has been reported by Danish Crown. It says returns from English Tulip Ltd have been particularly good.

Danish Crown is continuing to cut its wages bill and to make other efficiencies, and now it is seeing better returns from exports as well; world supplies are modest and the dollar and yen have strengthened.

Saturday May 15, 2010

A Fair deal of optimism

How refreshing this week, seeing so many smiling faces with a real bounce and intention to network and invest at this week's Pig and Poultry Fair, in what many more people are now seeing as a brighter and more secure industry in which to be involved.

We also think the teams heading up strategy and promotion of the industry eg. NPA, BPEX and LIPS are first rate and are committed, incredibly able people, instilling great confidence with their contacts and influences, now ever more extending to places that can make a difference for our industry.

Although the NPA site has published a very slight increase in exhibitor numbers, some felt not enough. However, if the industry carries on moving forward we suspect more businesses will be exhibiting in two years time; we also think a processor and retailer presence would not be a bad thing to help represent a complete supply chain linkage. What do you think? Some certainly had their scouts out in the crowds.

Trade yesterday started to show further signs of the supply shortage, with spot buyers early on Thursday morning preceding the week commencing 17 May looking to secure additional supplies, and some contract buyers also chasing extra volumes over contract numbers.

However, we have noticed some weaner buyers cooling off wanting to pay recent strong prices for pigs fearing a slowdown in finished pig prices from August onwards.

One more point for those of you who weren't aware. Robert Davies who has been with Meadow Quality since 1994 has now officially retired. We wish him all the very best; he will be greatly missed. — Simon Davies, Meadow Quality.

• Pig World and the Royal Agricultural Society of England handed out well over a thousand extra Pig World official catalogues over the two days. I suspect the ten percent increase in official figures should be taken as a very conservative figure. People seem keen to read about Pig Fair. Visitors to this page increased 43 percent on Thursday and 36 percent yesterday. — Digby Scott.

Friday May 14, 2010

Prices moving upward

TRAFFIC LIGHTS COMMENTARY

Prices followed the upward trend set at a buoyant Pig Fair. All signals seemed to be on green as far as sellers were concerned, except in the cull sow market.

DAPP took a significant upward step again this week and now stands at 144.58p and the Tulip base price also gained ground to 146p.

As a result most spot buyers had to offer in excess of 147p to find the numbers they wanted but these are still thin on the ground.

All the signs are that there is something of a black hole opening up in the supply chain and this could put prices under further upward pressure in the weeks ahead, although most industry pundits would prefer to see a steady rise rather than the more volatile movements we saw in 2009, which unfortunately led to a mini slump in August/September.

Another note of caution is that now we have our "Little and Large" government coalition at Number 10, sterling has gained in value against a weaker euro and this has the effect of cheapening foreign imports and also cuts the value of British cull sow exports.

However it is not just the value of the euro that is hitting demand for cull sows, with reports from Europe that cold stores are full and product is still hard to move in the face of cheap competition from outside the European Union. Continued.

Members area

The NPA members' area has been updated today.

Nutrient management plans

A new nutrient management plan is available to help farmers and growers plan their fertiliser and manure use, meet increasing regualtory demands and protect the environment. Details here: http://www.nutrientmanagement.org.

• Read more in June Pig World.

Check you are still in an NVZ

The NFU is urging members to check if they still remain in an NVZ now Defra has issued revised maps showing a nine percent reduction in NVZ farmland. NFU lobbied hard for a review of NVZ areas. Read more about the change to designations here.

Anaerobic digestion

BPEX has produced an excellent six-page factsheet explaining anaerobic digestion. To view it, go here.

Thursday May 13, 2010

Two tonne target for English producers

BPEX launched its Two Tonne Sow project at the British Pig and Poultry Fair. It has set English pig producers the challenging target of achieving an industry average of 2,000kg of pigmeat per sow per year by 2012.

Although physical performance continues to improve, there remains a significant productivity gap between the English pig industry and its major European competitors, said Mike Varley (pictured), BPEX knowledge transfer research and development manager.

Latest available figures show the average carcase weight per sow per year for Great Britain is 1,608kg compared with the European Union average of 2,000kg.

Closing this performance gap is crucial to ensure the long term competitiveness of the English pig sector. Producers need to ensure they are in strong position to sustain profitability during periods when the marketplace and exchange rates are less favourable, he said.

"The pig industry is currently making money and we want to improve profitability further through technical advancement. We should not rest on our laurels. Raising sow productivity will also help to reduce the environmental impact of pig production for every kilogram of meat produced.

"Different businesses will take different routes towards improved performance and a number of factors will be important including litter size, farrowing index, carcase weight and reducing mortality. I am positive the English pig industry can achieve the 2TS target. We have the technology and we have the people to apply that technology."

The BPEX knowledge transfer team will work with producers, providing information, advice and support on six main areas: breeding, finishing, health, nutrition, buildings and training.

BPEX has developed a sow productivity calculator for producers to work out where their output of pig meat per sow per year currently stands. The figures will help them benchmark their business against the English industry average and other businesses and pinpoint which areas of performance to prioritise to achieve the 2,000kg annual target.

Producers can access the calculator at www.2TS.org.uk.

Friday May 7, 2010

Red Tractor Pork marketing fund?
Yes or No?

PIG LEVY-PAYERS ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN THIS POLL

This is a poll about ideas. Voting 'yes' or 'no' doesn't commit levy-payers to any particular course of action.

But your response will help guide NPA. In particular it will show NPA whether it is worth asking BPEX to devote time and energy to working up ideas for a marketing campaign for Red Tractor Pork.

The question we are asking is this...

• During this window of relative prosperity, should producers be investing in their future by paying a special marketing levy to promote Red Tractor Pork, Bacon and Ham?

The idea was posed by producer Jimmy Butler two months ago. He developed his theme, to general acclaim, at a recent NPA regional meeting in East Anglia.

He fears the industry is not doing nearly enough to protect its premium, which is currently nearly 30p, and points out that 80p a pig would soon raise an impressive £10m marketing pot.

Here are some thoughts to consider before voting.

• Successful brands have significant annual marketing budgets.

• To sponsor a television series such as "Come dine with me" would cost us around £1m.

• To recruit a top-notch celebrity chef to be the face of the English pig industry would cost us £1m upwards (but the cost of adverts featuring the chef would be extra).

• In its 2010-2011 financial year, BPEX has earmarked £3m for its total marketing spend for Red Tractor Pork (including staff etc.).

• Sue Woodall, chairman of Ladies in Pigs, says the change to the Red Tractor is proving to be of major benefit. She says shoppers really do recognise the Red Tractor and many have a good general idea of what it stands for.

• A voluntary marketing levy, collected via processors, would mean no legal restriction on directly promoting "British". On the other hand, pig-keepers could choose to opt out of paying the levy if they wished. The industry would determine how the money would be spent. It might ask BPEX to act as its advertising agent — ie. to create a suitable campaign and place the adverts and press releases in appropriate media.

• A statutory bolt-on levy, approved by government and collected by BPEX, would restrict the campaign to promoting the Red Tractor as the industry brand, rather than "British". But would this matter, as the Red Tractor is well recognised, and carries the Union Flag anyway?

• Currently the BPEX marketing team is increasing its use of the internet as a means of promoting pork, partly because it cannot afford big television and press campaigns any more. But if a new pot of money became available it may well look at "old media" (television, radio and Press).

If you are a pig levy-payer, please take part in the following poll.

Feast of Fiddles CD

The new Feast of Fiddles CD Walk before you fly can now be bought on-line.