tuesday may 25, 2010
Bovine TB found in wild boar
Bovine tuberculosis has been found in a female wild boar in England. Previously, studies by the Food and Environment Research Agency and Veterinary Laboratories Agency have isolated the same mycobacterium bovis (the causative agent of bovine tuberculosis) spoligotype from fallow deer, fox, wood mouse and polecat within an ten mile radius of the wild boar's location in the south-west.
Cranswick profits up 26 percent
Cranswick has reported a 26 percent rise in profits. "The past year has seen increased expenditure by the consumer on products such as air-dried bacon, premium sausages, fresh pork and ham and this looks set to continue," said chairman Martin Davey.
Cranswick's pre-tax profits rose to £43.8m from £34.7m in the year to the end of March, on sales 22 percent higher at £740m, helped by the acquisition of the Bowes processing business.
Cranswick's bacon sales rose by 61 percent and sausages by 23 percent during the year. The company has signed up to make a range of charcuterie meats for celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, who is bringing out a range of pasta and meat. The company also supplies pork for WeightWatchers-branded products.
It reduced its net debt by £11.9m to £34.7m.
Trade Directory
Danbred International UK has been added to the NPA Trade Directory.
Does your ventilation DVD sound okay?
There have been reports that the sound quality of some of the popular BPEX Pig Unit Ventilation DVDs is poor and that some people are finding difficult to hear the presenter, John Chambers, even with the volume turned right up.
If you have noticed this with your copy, please return it to BPEX and we will send out a replacement. If you need to return a faulty DVD, please send it to: BPEX KT R&D, AHDB, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2TL with a note to say that it is faulty.
If you have yet to order your copy, please call Clancy Smith at BPEX on 02476 478792 or contact your local BPEX knowledge transfer manager. The DVD helps identify ventilation-related problems and provides practical solutions.
Saturday May 22, 2010
Public debate on CAP
There have been a thousand contributions so far to Brussels' public debate on the future of the the Common
Agricultural Policy post-2103.
The consultation website will be open for responses until June 3 after which
contributions will be summarised by an independent body and a summary report will be produced.
There will be a
conclusive conference, hosted by the European Commission, on July 19-20.
Were your pigs culled?
Pig producer and Nuffield scholar Andrew Freemantle has a favour to ask those readers of this page whose pigs were culled during foot and mouth, and who subsequently rebuilt their businesses.
As part of his Nuffield he travelled to Japan in March where he met some some friendly and helpful pig farmers in the south of the country.
This Thursday he received the distressing news that his new friends had been caught up in the foot and mouth outbreak in Japan and their pigs have been culled.
"Here are some photos from happier times," he emails this morning. "Could you put them on the website, and ask for any messages of hope from fellow British pig farmers
who have been through foot and mouth and lived to tell the tale, that I could forward to them?"
Andrew's email address is kenniford@hotmail.co.uk.
The picture below shows him and his friends having a meal. Between them these people had 700 sows on four farms — all wiped out.
The picture below shows Mr Morimoto, a nutrionist, and Mr Kanatsugu, whose farm is part of the Fresh One group. He has
110 ten sows run with his father and his wife. There are no other employees.
Danes and Dutch level peg
This is interesting... look what has happened to the Danish and Dutch average pig price over the past few weeks.
If you too would like to play with price comparisons between European Union countries, visit the Market Intelligence section of the BPEX website.
friday may 21, 2010
Vion profits up
Vion Food Group's overall net profit rose from £46.8m to £53.8m in last year. Turnover increased 5 percent to 7.8 billion in what the company calls a "cautious recovery".
Net sales in the United Kingdom grew to £2m last year, up from £1.2m in 2008. Vion bought Grampian Country Food Group in August 2008.
The company has made redundancies last year and this, with cuts at its Welsh Country Foods plant in North Wales, and its Haverhill cooked meats plant, as well as the closure of some sites, such as its frozen sausage operation in Cumbria.
The United Kingdom workforce has fallen from 13,207 in 2008 to 12,659 last year.
Vion describes its United Kingdom results as "very encouraging".
Next year at Lincoln
Feast of Fiddles will be returning to Lincoln next year, when the band will perform to a sell-out audience. The date for your diary is Monday April 18.
New board member for BPEX
A new member from a pig processing company has been appointed to the BPEX board.
Marcus Cheale, of Cheale Meats of Brentwood, Essex takes up his position with immediate effect.
He looks after the buying and selling of pigs for the family business which was founded more than 50 years ago and started specialising in pigs about 12 years ago.
"I'll be on a sharp learning curve particularly on the pig production side but that is something I am keen to learn about," he said.
"We operate with contracts and long-term agreements with live pigs yet when it comes to pork the nature of our trading means we don't know until lunchtime what is being delivered that same evening and the following morning. It's all very reactive.
"This is in contrast to our sow trade which relies on constant supplies for manufacturing throughput of our regular European Union customers."
Thursday May 20, 2010
Must be the right compost
Demonstrating its desire to be involved in every corner of human activity, Brussels is planning to regulate compost.
The European Union should introduce compost standards that will apply in every member country, says the European Commission's environment department in an 11-page document, "Future steps in biowaste management" published this week.
It says 3-7 percent of depleted agricultural soils in the European Union could be improved by using compost
from recycled biowaste and by imposing European Union compost standards.
The Sewage Sludge Directive, which is currently under review, could be the vehicle chosen for imposing minimum compost requirements.
Around 40 percent of biowaste, mainly garden, food and kitchen waste, still goes into land-fill in Europe.
Undignified sex puts him off pork
Eccentric actor Nicolas Cage claims he won't eat pork because he doesn't respect the way pigs have sex. Cage says he prefers to dine on poultry and fish because they mate in a "dignified" fashion. The Oscar-winning actor, who plays a drug-addicted cop in his latest film Bad Lieutenant, is well known for his quirky taste. His exotic pets have included an octopus, deadly cobras and a double-headed snake.
tuesday may 18, 2010
National Birthweight Week
 The principle of National Birthweight Week is that producers in each country carry out a trial to investigate the effect of birthweight on productivity, all starting at the same time and following the pigs through to slaughter from the whole group over the same period.
For its part, the United Kingdom is targeting the third week in June (week beginning 21 June — or your nearest batch week) to mark up a sample of piglets above and below 1.5kg at birth and follow them through to slaughter.
The trial is open to everyone and already over 30 producers have signed up.
PIC will provide the protocol, the kit you need to weigh piglets and carry out the trial, and will co-ordinate the results.
It will also provide feedback at regular intervals, summarising the progress of the group, including reports on experiences from other countries where producers will take part in the trial at different times over the summer.
If you would like to join in with National Birthweight Week, contact PIC on 01865 822200.
• See June issue of Pig World for full details.
Members area
The NPA members area has been updated today.
Good... but not good enough
"It is good that Danish Crown has reduced the price gap against German prices, but the problem is that weaner prices are higher in Germany, so weaner exports continue to grow, depriving Denmark of potential raw material. Therefore Danish Crown must work even harder to keep weaners on Danish pig production units, by further cost reductions and better pigmeat prices." — Henrik Mortensen, chairman of the Association of Danish Pig Producers.
Mikkelsen believes that in the "not-so-distant future" Germany will become self-sufficient in weaner production through improved pig genetics and production efficiency.
As a result, the market for imported Danish weaners will disappear, which would in turn encourage a resurgence in the finishing of slaughter pigs in Denmark.
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".
Shaky Greece economy could hit European pigmeat demand
The export competitiveness of Danish pigmeat has improved in recent weeks as a result of higher prices in the United States, in combination with a stronger United States dollar.
But nearer to home debt-plagued Greece is a concern as it could reduce demand in the European market, says analyst Karsten Flemin.
Increases in pigmeat output in Russia and Brazil could also pose future problems, and in China prices have fallen sharply since the beginning of the year.
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.
Friday May 14, 2010
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.
Feast of Fiddles CD
The new Feast of Fiddles CD Walk before you fly can now be bought on-line.
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