European Hog News:

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Danes Cut Pre-Weaning Mortality through Breeding
ANALYSIS - By including piglet survival rate at five days of age as a breeding objective, researchers at the University of Aarhus in Denmark have already had success in cutting pre-weaning mortality from its previous 25 per cent, writes senior editor, Jackie Linden.

According to a University of Aarhus report, it was not unusual for 25 per cent of Danish piglets to die before weaning, mostly within the first few days of life. Furthermore, the mortality rate was on the rise as the main focus of the breeding programme had been on numbers born.

The University had identified a number of alternatives for reducing the mortality rate, one of which was through the use of genetic tools and as early as 2004, the industry had begun to adjusted its breeding objectives to take into account piglet survival rates to five days of age.

Senior scientist, Peer Berg, from Aarhus University who is one of the geneticists behind the founding research, commented: "The report confirms that the introduction of the day five breeding target has reduced mortality in breeding and [multiplier] herds and that this improvement, in time, is expected to be reflected in production herds.

"We can expect that the reduced mortality in the breeding and propagation herds will make it through to the production herds within the next five years," he added.

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Friday, February 17, 2012
HKScan Grows Stronger in Last Quarter
FINLAND - Finnish pig meat processor HKScan’s net sales rose to €2 491.3 million last year compared to €2 113.9 million the year before - a rise of 17.9 per cent.


The company said that the protracted challenges in the pork business began to ease towards the end of the year and the situation is stabilising, especially in the market area of Finland.

There have been no significant changes in market position in any of the Group’s market areas during the year. The market position continued to strengthen in Finland, however.

EBIT came in at €39.6 million compared to €48.0 million in 2010. EBIT for 2012 is expected to be better than 2011.

Net financial expenses rose considerably during the year compared with the previous year was considerable, because of higher loan margins. They were up to -€30.9 million compared to -€13.8 million.

CEO Matti Perkonoja said: "HKScan’s EBIT in the last quarter of 2011 recovered after the poor trend at the beginning of the year. The quarter went as expected, and in terms of performance, was the year’s best.

"HKScan’s market position is strong in all the company’s market areas and there have not been any significant changes in it.

"In Finland, sales price increases implemented at the end of the year and cuts in costs, for their part, returned the profitability of the business to a better level. The transition to more controlled contract production in the pork chain is proceeding as planned. The most important launch in 2011 in Finland was Rapeseed pork, which turned out to be commercially very successful.

"HKScan is launching similar pork meat on the Swedish market in 2012 under the name Svensk Rapsgris.

"In Sweden, the market continued to be challenging throughout the year.

"Swedish meat raw materials are in short supply and producer prices are high. Meat imports to Sweden have increased significantly, which is largely based on the favourable exchange rate situation for importers.

"In Denmark, considerable effort was devoted in 2011 to the new structuring of the business. In accordance with its strategy, Rose Poultry is developing fresh produce for its domestic markets, especially for Sweden.

"In the Baltics and Poland, strong development of the business continued both in the last quarter and throughout the whole year.

"The Group's financial costs have increased substantially. A key near-term goal is to strengthen cash flow and with this to reduce interest-bearing liabilities.

"Meat consumption has increased in all the Group’s market areas. Consumers want high-quality and responsibly produced food. The Group is a responsible player in the meat sector whose starting point in product development and production is excellent taste and high quality. The basis is an efficient and transparent production chain.

"In 2011, a corporate responsibility scheme was implemented by the HKScan Group in the subsidiaries in Finland, Sweden and the Baltics. In Denmark, Rose Poultry A/S joined the scheme during the year.

"The problems in the global economy have only a minimal impact on consumer demand for HKScan’s products, as the Group’s comprehensive product portfolio offers options for the diverse needs of different consumers groups.

The prevailing trend in which the consumer market is becoming fragmented into smaller consumer groups is continuing to grow. Successful operators in the industry are those who understand and exploit the change more readily. A key success factor for the future is to develop the offering under the strong brands of the HKScan Group to meet consumer expectations. The taste and quality of food, sustainable production methods and the positive experience engendered by good food are highlighted.”

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Pig Meat Demand Fairly Stable in Denmark
GLOBAL - In 2011 German consumers bought less meat and meat products compared to the previous year. However, in 2011, Germany was again the world’s largest exporter of fresh and frozen pig meat.


Pig meat demand on the Danish market has been fairly stable throughout January and into February. However, by the end of January, there was a slight decline in supply from slaughterhouses, leading to a push in prices. Danish Crown estimates that it will be possible to sell 100,000 more organic pigs than the current amount. The only setback lies in inadequate supply of pigs to sell. Prospects are that production of organic pigs will stay unchanged.

In France, and in Europe in general, offer is on the decline. At the same time, demand is high, particularly for exports.

Demand on the German wholesale market has been staying quiet. Last year, consumers bought less meat and meat products compared to 2010. According to data, 2.2 per cent less meat was purchased. Pig meat and beef prices rose by 9.4 and 4.4 per cent respectively. Germany was marked as the number one exporter of fresh and frozen pig meat in the world last year. Between January and December 2011, 1.41 million tonnes of pig meat was exported.

The Governor of the Russian province, Kuban, Aleksander Tkachov, laid off deputy-governors because they did not show professional skills in the fight against ASF, according to BPEX's Weekly Export Bulletin. The Governor also passed several regulations to help stop the disease. Also, according to the country's Ministry of Agriculture, production of pork trebled over the last half decade.

Chinese pig meat production has dropped by 3 per cent. Direct imports of pork rose in 2011. The USA comprised more than half, followed by Denmark, Canada, Spain, France and Germany.

South African retailers are expanding aggressively all over Sub-Saharan Africa and are due to benefit from rising consumption in these parts. Food labelling remains a difficult area with the new GMO labelling legislation postponed and country of origin labelling for meat yet to be implemented.

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Pig Farmers Back in the Black
DENMARK - Early indications are that the profitability of pig production improved in 2011 and producers are seeing modest profits again, a situation which is forecast to improve further this year.
 

The first accounts to be finalised indicate that in 2011, pig farms returned to profitability, according to BPEX, citing a report in Landbrugsavisen.

The first 61 accounts for all types of pig farms from LandboNord, LandboSyd and LROE show an average operating result of €10,000. Compared to 2010, this represents an improvement of €35,000. The pig farms improved their operating results by approximately €19,000 after modest increases of capacity costs. Interest costs increased slightly due to higher debt and higher interest on debts to banks.

The forecast for 2012 indicates an improvement of €65,000 in average gross margin.

[Mustang Sally Farm]

UK Slaughter Statistics - February 2012
UK clean pig slaughterings for January 2012 were 943,000 head and pig meat production was 78,000 tonnes.


Key Points
Pigs: UK clean pig slaughterings were 5 per cent higher than in January 2011 at 943 thousand head. Pigmeat production was 78 thousand tonnes, a rise of 5 per cent on January 2011.
Cattle: UK prime cattle slaughterings were 12 per cent lower than in January 2011 at 185 thousand head. Beef and veal production was 84 thousand tonnes, 11 per cent lower than in January 2011.
Sheep: UK clean sheep slaughterings were 4 per cent lower than in January 2011 at 978 thousand head. Mutton and lamb production was 23 thousand tonnes, 5 per cent lower than in January 2011.
Section 1. UK monthly slaughter estimates
This table shows monthly estimates of the number of cattle, sheep and pigs slaughtered for meat for human consumption in the United Kingdom. The survey is run according to statistical, rather than calendar months, the number of weeks in the statistical month is specified below.

Table 1: UK Monthly Slaughter Estimates
Thousand Head
United Kingdom November 2011
4 weeks December 2011
4 weeks January 2012
5 weeks
Clean Pigs 829 743 943
Sows and Boars * * *
Steers 81 69 89
Heifers 66 57 74
Young Bulls 21 17 22
Cows and Adult Bulls 63 46 59
Calves 7 5 6
Other Sheep and Lambs 1136 1007 978
Ewes and Rams 171 158 171
* Data are confidential

Section 2. UK average dressed carcase weights
This table shows the monthly average dressed carcase weight of livestock slaughtered for meat for human consumption in the United Kingdom.

Table 2. UK average dressed carcass weights
(kilogramme)
United Kingdom November 2011 December 2011 January 2012
Clean pigs 78.8 78.0 79.1
Sows and boars 144.1 151.3 148.7
Steers 359.0 365.4 368.4
Heifers 316.6 320.7 325.0
Young bulls 347.4 348.4 348.5
Cows and adult bulls 310.4 311.6 318.7
Calves 49.3 50.5 49.6
Other Sheep and Lambs 19.2 18.7 19.6
Ewes and Rams 25.0 24.7 25.5

Section 3. UK monthly home-killed production of meat
This table shows the monthly volumes of meat produced in the United Kingdom. Data is shown according to statistical, rather than calendar months, number of weeks in statistical month as specified.

Table 3. UK monthly home-killed production of meat
(thousand tonnes)
United Kingdom November 2011
4 weeks December 2011
4 weeks January 2012
5 weeks
Pig meat 68 61 78
Beef 77 64 84
Mutton and Lamb 26 23 23

Section 4. UK average weekly slaughterings
This following table shows the average weekly slaughter figures for the last thirteen months. The monthly slaughter figures in section one are affected by the number of weeks in the statistical month. To get a clearer measure of trends weekly averages are calculated by dividing the number of livestock slaughtered each month by the number of weeks in the statistical month.

Longer term trends can be seen in the charts following this table.

Table 4. UK average weekly slaughterings
(thousand head)
United Kingdom 2011 2012
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan
Clean pigs 180 191 189 177 178 185 187 190 199 199 207 186 189
Sows and boars * * * * * * * * * * * * 5
Steers 20 20 21 20 20 18 17 19 22 21 20 17 18
Heifers 17 17 16 15 15 14 13 14 15 15 16 14 15
Young bulls 6 6 6 6 7 8 7 6 6 5 5 4 4
Cows and adult bulls 14 12 11 10 12 12 11 12 13 15 16 11 12
Calves 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 1
Other Sheep and Lambs 205 207 201 192 180 211 260 279 291 312 284 252 196
Ewes and Rams 39 40 35 34 34 35 39 40 40 45 43 39 34
* Data are confidential




United Kingdom Average Weekly Slaughtering - Pigs



United Kingdom Average Weekly Slaughtering – Cattle



United Kingdom Average Weekly Slaughtering – Sheep
Section 5. UK slaughterings by country
This table shows monthly estimates of the number of cattle, sheep and pigs slaughtered for meat in England and Wales, Scotland, Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Data are shown in statistical months, rather than calendar months. The totals for the countries may not add up to the Great Britain totals or the United Kingdom totals in section one, due to rounding.

Section 5. UK Slaughterings by Country
(thousand head)
  November 2011
4 weeks December 2011
4 weeks January 2012
5 weeks
England & Wales
Clean pigs 639 574 724
Sows and boars * * *
Steers 50 42 55
Heifers 39 32 44
Young bulls 15 12 15
Cows and adult bulls 48 34 45
Calves 5 5 6
Other Sheep and Lambs 964 864 826
Ewes and Rams 165 153 165
Scotland
Clean pigs 59 56 64
Sows and boars 0 0 0
Steers 18 16 20
Heifers 16 16 18
Young bulls 2 2 2
Cows and adult bulls 6 5 6
Calves 0 0 0
Other Sheep and Lambs 147 120 129
Ewes and Rams 3 3 2
Great Britain
Clean pigs 697 629 788
Sows and boars * * 26
Steers 68 58 75
Heifers 56 47 62
Young bulls 17 13 16
Cows and adult bulls 54 38 51
Calves 6 5 5
Other Sheep and Lambs 1111 983 954
Ewes and Rams 167 155 167
Northern Ireland
Clean pigs 131 113 155
Sows and boars 0 0 0
Steers 13 11 15
Heifers 10 9 12
Young bulls 4 4 5
Cows and adult bulls 9 8 9
Calves 1 0 0
Other Sheep and Lambs 25 24 23
Ewes and Rams 4 2 3
*Data are confidential


February 2012

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Friday, March 02, 2012
HKScan Sees Sales Rise
FINLAND - Finnish meat processor HKScan’s net sales rose to €2,491.3 million compared to €2,113.9 million in the previous year - a rise of 17.9 per cent.


EBIT came in at €39.6 million, which was down from € 48.0 million in 2010.

The company said that the protracted challenges in the pork business began to ease towards the end of the year, and the situation is stabilising, especially in the market area of Finland.

HKScan added that ther have been no significant changes in market position in any of the Group’s market areas during the year. The market position continued to strengthen in Finland, however.

Net financial expenses were minus €30.9 million compared to minus €13.8 million in 2010. The rise compared with the previous year was considerable with higher loan margins the main reason.

The company is confident that EBIT for 2012 will be better than last year.

The Group’s net sales grew in the last quarter of the year by 9.1 per cent and totalled €649.8 million compared to €595.7 million in 2010.

EBIT came in at €17.6 million compared to €15.7 million, up by 12.1 per cent.

In Finland, net sales were €217.6 million compared to € 198.2 million and EBIT was €7.2 million compared to € 4.7 million. Measured by profitability, the quarter was one of the best in recent years.

In Sweden, net sales were €275.6 million compared to €275.0 million and EBIT was €7.4 million compared to €8.0 million the previous year.

The comapny said the movement in net sales was a result of, among other things, a quieter Christmas season than expected.

In Denmark, net sales came to €54.3 million compared to € 21.8 million and EBIT was minus €1.3 million. The business development programme also continued to erode performance in the last quarter. The Danish company was consolidated into the HKScan Group on 29 November 2010.

In the Baltics, net sales grew to €44.9 million compared to €42.0 million and EBIT stood at €2.8 million compared to €1.8 million. Development of the business continued to be strong, the company reported.

In Poland, business progressed as planned. Net sales came to €73.9 million compared to €72.6 million and EBIT was €3.5 million compared to €3.0 million.

HKScan CEO Matti Perkonoja said: “HKScan’s EBIT in the last quarter of 2011 recovered after the poor trend at the beginning of the year. The quarter went as expected, and in terms of performance, was the year’s best.

"HKScan’s market position is strong in all the company’s market areas and there have not been any significant changes in it.

"In Finland, sales price increases implemented at the end of the year and cuts in costs, for their part, returned the profitability of the business to a better level. The transition to more controlled contract production in the pork chain is proceeding as planned. The most important launch in 2011 in Finland was Rapeseed pork, which turned out to be commercially very successful.

"HKScan is launching similar pork meat on the Swedish market in 2012 under the name Svensk Rapsgris.

"In Sweden, the market continued to be challenging throughout the year. Swedish meat raw materials are in short supply and producer prices are high. Meat imports to Sweden have increased significantly, which is largely based on the favourable exchange rate situation for importers.

"In Denmark, considerable effort was devoted in 2011 to the new structuring of the business. In accordance with its strategy, Rose Poultry is developing fresh produce for its domestic markets, especially for Sweden.

"In the Baltics and Poland, strong development of the business continued both in the last quarter and throughout the whole year.

"The Group's financial costs have increased substantially. A key near-term goal is to strengthen cash flow and with this to reduce interest-bearing liabilities."

Mr Perkonoja added: "Meat consumption has increased in all the Group’s market areas. Consumers want high-quality and responsibly produced food. The Group is a responsible player in the meat sector whose starting point in product development and production is excellent taste and high quality.

"The basis is an efficient and transparent production chain. In 2011, a corporate responsibility scheme was implemented by the HKScan Group in the subsidiaries in Finland, Sweden and the Baltics. In Denmark, Rose Poultry A/S joined the scheme during the year.

"The problems in the global economy have only a minimal impact on consumer demand for HKScan’s products, as the Group’s comprehensive product portfolio offers options for the diverse needs of different consumers groups.

"The prevailing trend in which the consumer market is becoming fragmented into smaller consumer groups is continuing to grow. Successful operators in the industry are those who understand and exploit the change more readily. A key success factor for the future is to develop the offering under the strong brands of the HKScan Group to meet consumer expectations. The taste and quality of food, sustainable production methods and the positive experience engendered by good food are highlighted."

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Monday, March 05, 2012
Half of French Sows Now Group–Housed
EU - The French pig producers’ association is calling for a doubling of financial support to farmers to help them convert to sow stalls to systems that comply with the coming EU regulations.
 

The support system for post–2012 is being finalised at the FNP (French National Federation of Pig Producers), according to the latest BPEX Export Bulletin.

By 1 January 2013, all pig houses will have to be up to EU standards and according to FNP, 10 to 12 per cent of producers will not be able to cover the required costs.

Previous estimates have already pointed to a reduction of the breeding herd and the financial support to pig producers to raise their standards will be €15 million. This amount is due to be confirmed at the next board meeting of FranceAgriMer on 22 March.

Jean–Michel Serres, President of FNP, has called for this amount to be doubled. The deficit of trade balance of France with EU countries amounts to €139 million and pig meat consumption in France decreased by 1.9 per cent in 2011. The development of the VPF logo will not be enough to solve all the problems of the industry, he says.

In the same BPEX report, Boerderij Vandaag is cited as reporting that 50 per cent of sow places in France are now converted to group housing systems that comply with the coming EU regulation. This compares with 80 per cent in Denmark, 70 per cent in Italy and the Netherlands and 50 per cent in Spain.

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Tuesday, March 06, 2012
French and Spanish Pig Prices Bucking the Trend?
ANALYSIS - Pig prices in France and Spain in recent weeks have been bucking the trend and in the last week in particular, they have shown a significant rise according to figures released by the German price tracker ISN, writes editor in chief, Chris Harris.

Last week, while ISN were showing prices for most of the rest of Europe hovering between €1.5 and €1.55 per kg France had their prices at €1.71 and Spain at €1.70.

ISN said the prices were up by five Euro cents per kilo in Spain and six Euro cents in France. This is the largest quotation for France since the change over to the Euro.

ISN put it down to a scarce supply of pork and strong world demand.

However, while the price rises might at first appear significant, the increases in France and Spain might not be quite as dramatic as they seem.

According to the Market Intelligent Unit at the UK's Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board, of which the British Pig Executive is a part, the reference prices across the EU including France and Spain are fairly similar. The average is about €1.60 for the reference price and France and Spain were coming in at about €1.55.

£The French prices were below the EU average of E grade pigs," said Stephen Howarth from the market intelligence unit.

However, he said there has been a noticeable increase in prices for both France and Spain. The differences in the prices have been put down not only to supply issues but also to the fact that France and Spain have different products from much of the rest of Europe. France, for instance, has heavier pigs, sending them for slaughter at around 116kg compared to the UK, which is much lighter at just over 100kg slaughter weight.

However, supply issues are the main driver for higher prices, although Mr Howarth said that France and Spain could have also taken a little longer to react to market forces than other EU countries.

In the Breton market last week, supplies were down by 10 per cent on the same time a year ago.


Chris Harris, Editor-in-Chief

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Thursday, March 08, 2012
2011/12 Pig Slaughter Figure Adjusted Upwards
EU - The 2011 and 2012 pig crop and slaughter figure is adjusted upwards based on higher than expected breeding efficiency, likely caused by the restructuring of the industry.


In 2011, the EU swine sector started with a significantly smaller breeding stock than a year before; the number of sows and covered sows were reduced by 2.2 per cent and 3.2 per cent respectively, according to the USDA GAIN: EU-27 Livestock and Products Semi-annual report.

Breeding and fattening is expected to continue on a high level until 2013, the year when the new environment and animal welfare regulations will be imposed.

Due to good demand on the world market, most of this additional volume of pork produced is expected to be destined for exports.

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Friday, March 09, 2012
UK Pigs Numbers Have Decreased by 1.3%
UK - The total number of pigs in the UK has decreased by 1.3 per cent since December 2010 to just over 4.3 million, which is the smallest pig herd at the 1 December since 1992 (the first year for which figures are easily available), according to the latest farming statistics. 
 

The total number of pigs in the UK decreased by 1.3 per cent since December 2010 to just over 4.3 million, which is the smallest pig herd as at the 1 December recorded since 1992 (the first year for which figures are easily available). The English pig herd fell by 0.7 per cent to 3.5 million over the same period. The UK’s number of breeding pigs has fallen to 500 thousand animals in December 2011, and the English breeding herd remained unchanged from December 2010’s figure of 415 thousand pigs.   

The UK’s herd of fattening pigs shrank by 50 thousand to 3.8 million pigs, with England’s herd remaining at 3.1 million for the second year running as at the 1 December. This stability and consolidation of pig numbers perhaps reflects producers continuing to wait and see how their markets develop over the next few months, particularly in England. 

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Friday, March 09, 2012
Welsh Pig Numbers Fell 4% by December 2011
WALES, UK - After a small increase in December 2010, the number of pigs in Wales fell by four per cent by December 2011, according to the December 2011 Survey of Agriculture, by National Statistics Wales.



Over the period 2000 to 2011 as a whole, the number of pigs more than halved from 65,000 to the latest figure of just under 26,000. This continues a downward trend that has been fairly constant for the last 20 years or so. The reason for this fall is economic. Following the UK’s entry into the European Union (EU) in 1974, the pig industry in this country was faced with cheaper, imported meat from countries such as Denmark and Germany. The continuing expansion of the EU has meant that the UK market is exposed to more and more competition from overseas, particularly with the entry of Eastern European countries such as Poland.

These market forces have meant that often pig meat production is no longer viable for smaller producers. The majority of the Welsh pig population are to be found on a relatively small number of holdings. To illustrate this, almost three-quarters of the pigs in June 2011 were to be found on less than 50 holdings. The majority of the remainder of holdings with pigs would be using them for personal consumption only and/or as pets.

The breakdown of the total number of pigs shows that the vast majority are kept for fattening in order to produce meat. The number of sows that are in pig is a large proportion of the total number of breeding pigs. This would indicate that sows and gilts (sows being used for breeding for the first time) are being used for breeding throughout the year (unlike sheep, for example). Sows that are now unable to produce litters are included with the fattening pigs as this would be their only possible use to the farmer. However, in terms of producing meat, the farmer would breed pigs especially for this purpose which is why the number of barren sows is so low.

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Wednesday, March 14, 2012
EU Pig Prices: Situation Well-balanced in EU Markets
EU - The European slaughter pig market proves to be in a steady shape this week. Unchanged pig prices are quoted in almost all countries.
 

In France alone, the price had to be corrected downwards by as much as 5 cents. The clear price gap between France and the other major pork-producing EU countries had made the French companies having to tackle reduced competitiveness.

Given the latest price adjustments, the French quotation exceeds the German price by 10 cents. In Belgium, the price went slightly down by -1 cent. Supply and demand are quite well balanced in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Italy and Denmark. So, no price changes are reported about from those countries.

The slaughter companies swiftly demand the supply, which is not too extensive. Currently, there is too little impetus for price increases coming from the meat trade. Compared with other parts, ham and cutlet are sold at too low a price at the moment.

Trend for the German market: As has been over the past weeks, demand for pigs mature for slaughter is exceptional at the beginning of this week. For this reason, the prices are expected to remain steady at least for the week ahead.

Week D NL DK B F PL CZ IT ESP AUT GB SWE IR
Week 04 1.496 € 1.455 € 1.466 € 1.482 € 1.440 € 1.466 € 1.560 € 1.551 € 1.470 € 1.417 € 1.523 € 1.077 € 1.411 €
Week 05 1.546 € 1.503 € 1.466 € 1.532 € 1.497 € 1.534 € 1.560 € 1.557 € 1.502 € 1.468 € 1.494 € 1.063 € 1.411 €
Week 06 1.546 € 1.513 € 1.493 € 1.532 € 1.558 € 1.596 € 1.572 € 1.563 € 1.545 € 1.468 € 1.529 € 1.069 € 1.411 €
Week 07 1.546 € 1.503 € 1.521 € 1.532 € 1.594 € 1.602 € 1.573 € 1.589 € 1.594 € 1.468 € 1.495 € 1.074 € 1.411 €
Week 08 1.546 € 1.503 € 1.520 € 1.556 € 1.653 € 1.613 € 1.594 € 1.639 € 1.650 € 1.468 € 1.528 € 1.071 € 1.411 €
Week 09 1.546 € 1.513 € 1.520 € 1.556 € 1.714 € 1.606 € 1.582 € 1.643 € 1.701 € 1.499 € 1.520 € 1.072 € 1.411 €
Week 10 1.546 € 1.513 € 1.520 € 1.556 € 1.690 € 1.614 €   1.646 € 1.713 € 1.499 € 1.606 € 1.071 € 1.430 €
Week 11 1.546 € 1.513 € 1.520 € 1.544 € 1.640 €     1.646 € 1.713 € 1.499 € 1.634 € 1.062 € 1.430 €

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Monday, March 12, 2012
BPEX Issues Dysentery Warning
UK - BPEX is urging pig producers to be extra vigilant for symptoms of swine dysentery and step up defences after further cases of the disease have been reported across the North Yorkshire region.
 

“The disease spreads rapidly, particularly in the current cold weather conditions,” warns BPEX Veterinary Projects Manager, Helen Clarke.

She said, as a highly economically damaging infection, it is imperative any suspected symptoms are reported as soon as possible. “Swine dysentery causes a rapid loss of condition in affected pigs and, eventually, loss of stock. Clinical signs affecting growing and finishing pigs include bloody diarrhoea but, for outdoor breeding units, clinical signs may not be evident at all.”

She recommended all producers tighten up on biosecurity measures. Helen said: “The bacterium Brachyspira hyodysenteriae live in the large intestine and are passed out in dung. This is why it is so easily spread on boots, vehicles and implements, as well as by rodents and birds, and why hygiene is so important.”

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Monday, March 12, 2012
Advances in AI – The Future
UK - Already delivering the ‘best of the best’ genetics and farrowing rates of up to 95 per cent, the role of AI in pig production is assured. But what of the future? What is the focus of current research and development? Here, Head of Science Stephen Waite and Stud Manager Steve Cook of JSR Genetics tell how latest research initiatives offer plenty for pig producers now and even more to look forward to.
 

“In AI, we’re giving our customers the ‘best of the best’ genetics,” says Steve Cook,” quicker and without the time and effort involved in looking after a boar. As Stud Manager, much of my focus is on the practical side, improving services to my customers. Last November we invested heavily in the 100 per cent changeover of two studs to fully automatic packing machines that, using touch screen technology, fill up to 1,300 flat packs of semen per hour with an accuracy of +/- 1 per cent.

The biggest bonus for customers is the new flat pack itself. Designed with a tapered spout they will fit onto any catheters with a tight, leak free fit and the easy to use twist off end can be resealed if opened by mistake. Knowing that lighting can be very subdued in some sheds, we also insisted that our new flat packs had clear, easy to read labels.”

On-going research at JSR is also being undertaken on the viability of offering sex selected semen. “This would be a pivotal development for the pig industry,” explains Head of Science Stephen Waite, “being able to offer producers single sex semen, with the majority being females, as they are far more valuable. In the pig industry, a potentially achievable, and preferable, split would be eight gilts to two boars. However, the barrier to progress is being able to sex semen at a speed that is commercially viable.”

Currently, the BPEX semen dosage standard guarantees over 2 billion single sperm in every single dose. This means that to offer a single dose of single sexed semen, over two billion sperm have to undergo the sex selection process. In pigs, this process is achieved using flow cytometers which work by detecting the tiny weight differential between male and female sperm – only around 0.8 per cent. For pigs, the quickest you can do this is 2,000 cells per second so it takes 11.5 days to produce a one billion female only dose or 23 days to sex a two billion female only dose, which is not viable due to cost.

“By comparison,” explains Dr Waite, “in cattle, where a single dose only has to contain 2.5 million sperm, and the male/female weight differential is more marked, 10,000 cells can be processed per second. That’s what makes sexed sperm a commercial proposition for the cattle industry and we believe that, given lobbying to have the UK standard dose lowered is successful, this can become the case for the pig industry too.”

At present, JSR is working closely with research partners Harper Adams University College, conducting trials on the effect of semen concentration on farrowing rates. This is a vital consideration when investigating the possibility of lowering the amount of semen per dose to make sexed boar semen a valid proposition.

“Having started with a 100 million sperm dose, then 200 million and 400 million, all inseminated using deep inter-uterine catheters, we are confident of proving that using a lower dose will work without compromising production,” says Dr Waite, “and animals at Harper Adams that are now about to farrow will provide constructive results. Once we can ascertain an optimal low dose for pigs – and we suspect this may be around 400 million - we will carry on our work with the University of York, who are currently involved in research with leading flow cytometer manufactures, to make that dose as easy as possible to sex. Every year, sexing cells is getting faster, say by a factor of ten, but there is still some way to go. Having said that, new chemicals that bind onto the male/female cells to make them easier to sort by weight are opening up yet another promising avenue for research. Just one breakthrough could completely revolutionize the industry.”

Another project, for which JSR together with the University of Kent and the Bridge Fertility Centre, have just been awarded a £500,000 Technology Strategy Board Grant involves research into pig IVF- an initiative that will be of particular interest to international customers.

“Currently, sending genetics in the form of live animals, to international customers, whilst hugely beneficial, can be a complex and costly exercise. In 2011, JSR hired an entire Boeing 747 to send 1,000 pigs to China. To comply with export regulations each animal has to be tested at around £250 per animal – that’s £250,000 for the whole consignment - and travel in more spacious accommodation than most humans. By comparison, embryos suspended in a flask require just one test and can travel as luggage on a normal commuter flight.”

“Working with the Bridge Fertility Centre and Dr Kate Fowler of the University of Kent, who JSR also sponsored as a PhD student, is an excellent example of promoting skills and expertise together,” says Dr Waite. “At present, different people have managed to do different parts of the process but no one has managed to pull the whole process together. We think that there will be gains all round for both human and animal fertility. At JSR we will be able to offer a more convenient, more cost-effective service with substantial savings to the value of around £600,000 per 1,000 animal order being passed down the supply chain.”

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Friday, March 16, 2012
Pig Compound Feed Production Falls
EU - According to the preliminary statistical data provided by the European Feed Manufacturers Federation (FEFAC), compound feed production in the EU-27 in 2011 may have reached a level of 150 million tonnes, one per cent below the figure for 2010 (151.4 million tonnes).


2011 Estimations
Cattle and pig feed have seen their production fall, respectively by -3 and -1 per cent, whereas poultry feed increased by per cent, thereby confirming its position of leading segment of compound feed slightly above pig feed.

The most important factors which have weighed in on the EU feed demand in 2011 were the still fragile economic situation of the pig sector and the high feed material costs. As regards ruminants, the severe drought on the first months led to a lower forage harvest during the spring cut but this was offset by the good autumnal weather conditions that favoured grass growth.

Most EU Member countries saw their production fall, sometimes dramatic as e.g. Ireland (-9 per cent) or The Netherlands with -5 per cent, while a few country such as Italy or Germany managed to buck the general market trend with positive growth around 3 per cent, supported by a surprisingly quick recovery of pig farming activity mainly due to increasing exports.

The high cereal prices over the last two years contributed to improve the competitive market position of industrial compound feed production vs. home mixing. However, this gain was offset to a certain extent by the development of alternative pig feeding strategies based on roughly grinded feed and liquid feeding.

As a result Germany’s position as leading EU country in terms of total compound feed production before France was strengthened, with Spain scoring third.

The final estimate and detailed breakdown of the 2011 results will be presented on the occasion of the next FEFAC Annual General Meeting on 15 June 2012 in Brussels.

2012 Predictions
FEFAC experts foresee a stabilisation in cattle feed production, a further reduction in pig feed production (-0.5 per cent) and a slight increase in poultry feed demand (+1 per cent) which however could be offset by a significant setback for layers feed production in certain countries, as a direct consequence of the application of the new cages standards from 1 January 2012 on.

Further market uncertainties are linked to the development of the Schmallenberg virus in ruminant populations and the new group-housing requirements for sows which may lead to a significant reduction in young sows replacement in certain producer regions. Overall, compound feed production is expected to remain unchanged vs. 2011.

Feed material markets are characterised by the upward trend on soybean meal quotations due to high Chinese demand and seasonal drought in South America. Price quotations for cereals are at high levels and may remain so while experts are still evaluating the impact of February frost in a large part of the EU countries and while fear of a potentially severe drought in Western Europe is growing. Access to raw materials may be further curtailed by the persisting problems linked to asynchronous approval of not yet authorised GM events.