Pig notes September 2007
Feed prices and the pig industry
The most talked about subject among pig producers normally is pig price. However since the autumn of 2006, and particularly over the last few months, the price of feed has overtaken pig prices as the main topic of discussion. Unfortunately, it appears that feed prices are likely to remain relatively firm in the near future. A recent report produced by BPEX (British Pig Executive) on feed prices and the UK pig industry stated that although ‘world cereal production is forecast higher in 2007 to 2008 current indications are that cereal prices will again be higher due to increased world demand and continuing low stocks. High maize prices in the US caused by the increasing switch to industrial use will also have a knock on effect on cereal prices worldwide.’ It also stated that in the future, feed prices will be more volatile due to the increasing and fluctuating competition for feed supplies from the biofuels sector.
However, it is important to remember that high feed prices are not only a problem facing the Northern Ireland pig industry. Pig producers in other countries, and other sectors, especially the poultry sector are also affected.
High feed prices
As pig producers what can you do about high feed prices ? The following areas warrant further thought.
- Know exactly how much you are paying for feed and discuss with your feed supplier the effect on price/ t, for example, of ordering larger loads or reducing the level of credit.
- Check the specification of diets being fed is correct and that pigs are changed onto the less expensive rations at the right time. The Greenmount Pig Benchmarking results show that many producers are feeding too much of the more expensive creep, link and grower rations.
- Review the use of in fed medication with your vet.
- Consider forward buying all or part of your feed requirements. This applies to both home mixed and compound feed. Knowing the price of feed for a given period helps business planning.
- Check feed wastage from hoppers. Despite the high price of feed I still see poorly managed hoppers and wasted feed during advisory visits.
Batch farrowing
Are you tired of serving, weaning and pigging sows every week ? If the answer to this question is yes why not consider changing to batch farrowing. With batch farrowing sows are either served, weaned or farrow each week. For example, in a three week system sows farrow in week 1, are weaned in week 2 and servings take place in week 3. In addition to breaking the monotony of weaning, serving and farrowing every week batch farrowing can improve overall herd health and performance. As there is a difference of 3 weeks in age between each group of pigs ‘all in all out’ is facilitated and the transfer of disease between pigs is reduced. Batch farrowing allows for more efficient use of labour as weaning, serving and farrowing fall on certain days each week allowing for better planning of the workload. Cross fostering is also made easier as a larger batch of sows farrow in a given week. However there are drawbacks with batch farrowing; extra farrowing accommodation is required and pressure is put on the current system during changeover. However producers who have changed to batch farrowing agree that the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks and would recommend that other producers consider adopting batch farrowing.