Business is Business:

[mikey]

If my production cost rise because I want a hog with more fat and better tasting,but only able to get market prices at the same level or less,this makes me a poor business person.The name of the game is profit.I am not sure if there is a standard grading system in the Philippines with hogs.Meat sold in the wet markets/grocery stores,not sure if it carries a label.As hogs ,from all the different farms are shipped to Manila,I do not believe the consumers there know who grew what hog.If we are all getting the same price,the business with the highest profit to cost ratio,they are doing something right.A business is different from a hobby.
Good Farming:
mikey,Region 7 Independant

[nemo]

i do believe that there are some meat processors that likes a fat animal.  They used it in their canned products, etc.

More fat doesn't mean the white fat that we see on the skin of the animal. In between muscles there are also fats. And this layering of muscle and fats give the animal their great taste.

Although, to much fat in the diet is bad so people eat moderately.

Usually what we see in the wet markets are the backyard swine and most of the commercial goes to the processors. And yes you cannot tell the difference.

In hogs profit is the key word. So you can attain this by satisfying your customers. Different markets/customer have different demands or criteria.

Backyard piggery and commercial piggery is two different areas in swine farming although they are both dealing with hogs and goes hand in hand with one another.

[mikey]

Case point:pointless for some of us to buy additives,if it drives up production costs ,but unable to get a premium price difference.Farms will just grow larger,gambling on belief, there will be a market for their product.Different markets,require different product lines.Bottom line,do not sweat the little stuff,aim high.There is enough room for all of us,no matter what market one supplies.Farming today is a business,and in business,its always the bottom line,espically if we are signing the cheques.
Good Farming:
mikey,Region 7 Independant

[nemo]

Yup you have to balance investment and income. If adding some medication or drugs would increase your profit then good but if just give you a very slim increase or none at all then better to stick to your current management or feeding practice.

[mikey]

Its a numbers game no matter how you look at it.
mikey,Region 7 Independant

[Slyfox]

open man o hindi same same lang kung may capital ka mag business you will survive.  ano pa  pala  e change sa pagpalaking baboy? sa tingin ko wala na.

[mr hog]

Mikey it sure is a big numbers game if you want to make money,believe it or not.Just ask slyfox he is a big bizniz man hehe

[mikey]

The Slyfox does not like me,hehehe.Its what it comes down too,NUMBERS.have red that commodity prices may rise again.Wonder if hog chow will go up in price.Maybe the farmgate price for pork will increase.The American economy is really shaking things up.

[mr hog]

Mikey dont worry about slyfox!he is just a high flyer(bigshot hehe)

[mikey]

Every man is a hero in his own mind,hehehe

[mikey]

Cost Comparison:
table #4,compares the production cost of 2 good hog farrowing units in the USA and Mexico.The Mexican hog operation in the table produces a 5.6 kg. weaned pig at $22.29,compared with the $20.10 in the USA.Feed accounts for the 44% of the Mexican producers total costs,compared with 29% in the USA.The difference in feed costs $4.01 is partically offset by the savings that the Mexican farmer has for labor and management costs $4.25.When catching and hauling costs are compared,Mexican expenses are about $0.86 higher per animal than in the USA.
table #4
concept:                   US/top          Mexican          Difference       %
production credit
cost of production         $20.10           $22.90
breeding stock               $0.66              $1.27           $0.60          91%
management                  $2.00              $0.96           -$1.04        -52%
wages                           $4.56             $1.33           -$3.23        -71%
feed                             $5.87              $9.88            $4.01          68%
medication                     $0.27             $0.37             $0.10          35%
vaccination                    $0.15             $0.19             $0.05          34%
catch/hauling                 $0.03              $0.90             $0.86       2799%
utilities                          $0.65              $0.61            -$0.04         -6%
depreciation                    $2.03             $2.81             $0.78          39%
repairs                           $0.49              $0.50            $0.01           2%
supplies                         $0.46             $0.42            -0.04            -8%
administrative                 $0.95             $1.50            $0.55        188%
waste disposal                $0.48                                $0.48        -100%
communications              $0.02                                $0.02        -100%


Good Farming:

[mikey]

If the price of hogs at the farmgate level decreases this coming summer.The news in North America is expect higher fuel costs this summer along with higher food (retail level).This will effect every country.This means production costs will rise.If it cost a farm in Mexico more to produce a white hog,than in the USA.What is the costs say between Australia or South Korea and the Philippines?Slyfox has already posted a article saying,meat imports expected to increase in the Philippines for 2008.

[nemo]

if price of corn would increase then definitely price of feeds will increase but those new feed company or company who is after for market might not increase in the hope that consumers of other brand of feeds would jump to them if they will retain their current feed price.

It is like playing chess some will sacrifice something to be able to win.

[mikey]

Note:Prices of meat and poultry were gathered by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) as of Feb.4/08 from 24 wet markets and 12 supermarkets in Metro Manila,prices are in pesos per kg. Retail prices for pork
pork ham/kasim-lean meat       retail #2 prevailing-150.00
                                                      low         -140.00
                                                      high        -150.00
pork liempo/pork belly                         prevailing-150.00
                                                      low        -145.00
                                                      high       -160.00

Supermarket/groceries as of Jan.30/08 
pork ham/kasim-lean meat       retail #3 low  -132.00
                                                      high -205.00
pork liempo/pork belly                          low  -132.00
                                                      high  -229.00

Farmers Feed The World: