Pig notes January 2008

‘Year of the Pig’

As you may be aware 2007 was the Chinese ‘Year of the Pig’. The ‘Year of the Pig’ occurs every 12 years and is considered a lucky year. Chinese horoscopes for 2007 stated that ‘prosperity would come from success in business and also from unexpected money’. For people born in the ‘Year of the Pig’ ‘old business will be successful and new ventures will be fortune’. Unfortunately 2007 was not the ‘Year of Pig Producers’. It did not bring good fortunate to the pig industry. Let us all hope that 2008 is a more prosperous year for the pig industry with pig prices increasing to at least match the rise in production costs.

Increasing feed prices

During 2007 feed prices in Northern Ireland soared and the average price of compound feed increased by at least £50/t. The surge in feed prices however was not just a problem faced by producers in Northern Ireland. Feed prices throughout Europe and in North America and Australia also increased. The table below (courtesy of InterPig) shows the increase in feed prices in the main pig producing countries in Europe.

Feed price increases (£/t) November 2007 compared to 2006 average

	Denmark	France	Germany	Netherlands	Great Britain
Sow	67	76	67	52	51
Rearer	87	92	42	52	96
Finisher	72	74	67	50	85

Sow slaughterings

Reading through the recently published European market survey I came across some interesting facts and figures on sow slaughterings in Europe which could have an impact on pig supplies in 2008.

For the three months ending mid November sow slaughterings in Germany were up nine percent
Although the May census showed an increase in the German breeding herd to 2.5 million head predictions were that the December census would show a decline. This may affect the supply of pigs in the second half of 2008.
Cull sow slaughterings in Denmark for the three months up to mid November were up by three percent
The most recent data available from the Netherlands was for the three months ended mid October. Sow slaughterings were nine percent higher year on year. However improved productivity may boost the supply of slaughter pigs in 2008. The August census showed a three percent decline in the breeding herd to under 1.1 million.

Food Chain Information

From 1 January 2008 processors will be looking for a small amount of additional information for each batch of pigs sent for slaughter. The information required is known as Food Chain Information (FCI) and is part of the EU Hygiene Regulations which came into force in 2006. In Northern Ireland the Food Standards Agency (FSA) are responsible for the Regulations. At the time of writing, the exact information required is being finalised. It is likely to include the following:-

Date medicines used and withdrawal periods
Any diseases that might affect the safety of the meat
Results, if relevant to the protection of public health, of any samples taken to diagnose disease

More information on FCI will be available from your processor over the coming weeks.

Agromek

The Agromek trade show takes place on 15-19 January 2008 in the Exhibition Centre in Herning, Denmark. At this annual event companies showcase their products and services. Having been to Agromek a few times I would recommend a visit. This year about 50 new products of interest to pig producers will be released. For more information about Agromek 2008, check the official website at www.agromek.dk