World Hog news:

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Friday, September 26, 2008Print This Page
New Book on Exhaust Air Treatment
GLOBAL - Exhaust Air Treatment Systems for Animal Housing Facilities is likely to interest intensive pig and poultry producers.



For the treatment of exhaust air from animal housing facilities, different techniques are available. This publication provides an overview of the current development status of the techniques in particular regarding the areas of application, treatment principles, specifications for the design of the installations, and removal efficiency for odours, ammonia, and dust.

The expenses for the investment and the operation of the installations are derived based on the minimum requirements for certified systems. Information about the consideration of the installations in permit procedures for individual farms and examples of practical applications complete the presentation.

The publishers say the publication is an indispensable source of information for the operators of animal housing facilities and agricultural advisers before investment decisions are made where the installation of an exhaust air treatment system is being considered. In addition, it also serves as a basis for planners and experts for the objective evaluation of the different techniques with regard to the possibilities and conditions of their application in animal housing.

[mikey]

Monday, November 10, 2008Print This Page
Greek Pig Producers Benefit from AI
GREECE - Pig farmers in Greece have been offered advice on how to improve productivity from UK pig genetics company, JSR Genetics Ltd.

 

A technical event, specifically for Greek pig producers, was held in the City of Thessalonki in September 2008. The event was organised and hosted by JSR's Greek pig genetics franchise F-One Hellas.



Dr Grant Walling, Director of Research and Genetics at JSR Genetics Ltd, speaking during the conferenceThe Greek pig market, like many across Europe, has faced economic challenges over the last 12 months, mainly due to increases in the price for feed resulting in higher production costs that have not been met by the price of pork at the abattoir.

Low growth rates, lower sow productivity and low pork consumption (the Greek diet is traditionally based around lamb) have also made the Greek pig market particularly difficult. To help the farmer, the Greek government set up a system of interest free loans for pig producers - however this period is coming to an end and with banks facing their own market pressures these subsidies could soon end.

Dr Grant Walling, Director of Research and Genetics at JSR Genetics Limited, was a guest speaker at the event: "I covered the benefits of switching to using Artificial Insemination rather than natural service from boars.

"AI is not widely used in Greece but due to the fact that Greek pig producers have small herds of 300 or less sows it makes sense to have a pool of elite boar semen that is shared across several farms rather than every farm housing a population of male animals.

"Farmers in hot climates also have to tackle the problem of decreased boar fertility - keeping a number of boars in air conditioned stud units will help to produce better production figures.

"I was also keen to stress the importance of using different lines of boars, for example, the Duroc boar is used for enhanced meat quality or using the Titan Sire line for enhanced carcase yields.

"The Greek pig producers seemed very interested in what they heard and JSR continues to work with farmers globally, to ensure that pork production is a constructive and cost effective process."

The Greek technical conference also covered gilt and sow management and gave Greek farmers tips on maximising productivity by highlighting the importance of age at first service, managing the animal based on condition score and farrowing house feeding in warmer climates.

Following the technical conference, a JSR Technical Production Specialist will visit Greece to help farmers with specific issues that were identified during the conference.


 

[mikey]

Monday, November 10, 2008Print This Page
Shortage of Pigs Leads to Soaring of Prices
AUSTRALIA - It is likely that there could be fewer hams on Australian tables this Christmas because of a national shortage of farmed pigs.



It is estimated that 40 per cent of pig farmers have quit the business in the past year, with industry figures blaming high grain prices and competition from subsidised pork producers in North America and Denmark.

Australian Pork Limited (APL) CEO Andrew Spencer says high grain prices is one of the causes the shortage.

"The other reason was that there was a huge surge of imports coming from North America and Europe, mainly from subsidised countries and that meant there was no market for the Australian product if prices went way down about this time last year," he said.

"A lot of producers got out of the industry. Ultimately, that has to result in a shortage of pigs and that is what we are now seeing."

But he says there isn't a move to push up prices to help out producers.

"Producers would love to be able to manipulate prices like that, but it is not that easy," he said.

"There really is a shortage out there. You can check it all round the sale yards and you can see it in the pig prices being paid."

ABC reports that Mr Spencer is urging consumers to continue supporting the industry.

"What we are trying to do is ask consumers to hang in there. Pig producers in Australia have been through an extremely tough time and those that are still in it have got to now start making some profit so that they can remain in it," he said.

"We are really encouraging people to go out and have their roast pork which is guaranteed to be Australia. It will be fresh meat and to have their ham on the bone, because when you buy ham on the bone that is also Australian for quarantine reasons."

Pig farming has been a shrinking profession for decades. In the 1960s Australia had about 40,000 or 50,000 pig farmers.

Today the industry estimates there are no more than 1,500.

One former pig farmer, who wishes to remain anonymous, was in the business for 28 years.

He quit because he says there is no money in it.

"It was not viable. You could not make a good living out of it," he said.

"Costs were higher than your income. When things got good, you'd get on your feet and then something would happen.

"Either you would have a drought or then grain prices go through the roof, or you'd have a glut of pigs and pig prices would go through the floor."

While people familiar with the pig industry say pork prices are rising, it is not clear how much consumers will pay in the end.

Allan Waldon manages Eastern Roads Quality Meats in Turramura, in Sydney's north.

He thinks it is unlikely that pork prices will double during the week of Christmas.

"I don't think we'll see it like prawns... but I think you might see prices slightly higher than they are at the moment."

[mikey]

Wednesday, November 12, 2008Print This Page
Bacon Prices Highest in Years
AUSTRALIA - Pig producers are finally experiencing an upturn in fortune with higher prices, a lower Australian dollar and dropping feed costs.



Butch Moses, from the South Australian Farmers Federation pork committee, says prices for bacon are the highest they've been in years, because a lot of small producers have left the industry.

According to ABC, he says the current conditions are positive but he's cautiously optimistic.

"Prices are bubbling, but sometimes things come off the boil pretty quick too sometimes," he says.

"I guess I just like to wait and see how it goes, but at the moment, we gladly will reap what we can and we won't knock it back by any means."

[mikey]

Wednesday, November 12, 2008Print This Page
Swine and Chicken Predicament
VIET NAM - High input costs, rampant diseases and fallen meat prices jeopardize the livelihoods of local pig and chicken farmers in the Mekong Delta.



Having worked as a pig farmer for 30 years, Tran Hai Nghia of Soc Trang Province said he has never been through harder times, reports THANH NIEN NEWS.com.

“Most farmers have suffered losses,” he said. “We keep raising pigs, hoping for better sales prices, but they have shown little improvement lately.”

Nghia said he normally raised around 300 pigs for meat and 150 breeding pigs, but current pork prices were so low he can’t sell his piglets to other farmers.

“The recent price for a 100-kilogram pig is VND3.2 million (US$190), while basic investment costs are at least VND3.4 million ($202) without counting electricity, water and medicine expenses. But losses were even worse when there were epidemics,” Nghia said, referring to the foot-and-mouth and blue ear diseases that hit the country earlier this year.

Chairman of the Farmers’ Association of Soc Trang Province, Lam Quoc Cuong, said most households raising a few pigs had scrapped their business, while many small farms had halted operations altogether.

Cuong said he had sold his stock of 20 pigs for meat three months ago and was waiting for pork prices to climb before resuming pig-raising. Farmer Doan Thi Tuoi from Vinh Long Province said she and other farmers having been dealing with losses after pork prices dropped to VND28,000 ($1.66) per kilogram around a month ago.

“Farmers can only earn profits if pork is at least VND40,000 ($2.37) per kilogram,” she said.

And as for chicken.....
Meanwhile, the outbreak of bird flu earlier this year coupled with the recent Chinese eggs’ melamine scandal have drastically reduced consumption of chicken.

Poultry farmers are seeing their business undercut by high investment costs and low prices due to growing competition from imported meat.

Farmer Nguyen Phuc Den from Vinh Long Province said he has shifted to raising fish and 500 chickens for meat while waiting for improved market conditions.

“Chicken’s droppings are being used as fish food and this has helped keep the farm above water,” he said. “Several epidemics have ravaged chicken farms over the past five years and the hike in animal feed prices this year has hit farmers’ pockets hard.”

The number of chickens raised at Thuan Phat Chicken Farmers’ Cooperative in Vinh Long Province’s Vung Liem District has dropped to around 7,500 from 25,000.

“We don’t dare to raise more birds because it would cause severe losses,” said the cooperative chairman, who calculated the present loss to be more than VND100,000 ($6) per 100 chickens.

In late October, the toxic industrial chemical melamine, used to make plastic, was detected in eggs imported from China to Hong Kong. However, local inspectors have announced they have yet to find any eggs contaminated with melamine in Vietnam.

Farmer Nguyen Thi Ngoc Suong from Tien Giang Province who has a stock of 2,000 hens said she only managed to sell half of her eggs after the melamine scandal broke.

“Egg prices went down by VND300-400 to around VND1,100-1,200 per egg,” she said. The lowering of meat import tariffs last August, as part of measures to combat inflation, has also threatened to bankrupt domestic farmers.

Vietnam is required by the World Trade Organization to cut its import tax on poultry and pork to 15 and 25 percent by 2012.

But the tax was drastically reduced to 12 and 20 percent respectively last August, with imported meat now flooding the market as a consequence

[mikey]

Friday, November 14, 2008Print This Page
Punjab Popularising Pig and Turkey Farming
INDIA - More and more farmers in different parts of Punjab are now taking to turkey and pig farming. The shift from the conventional methods to new avenues is driven from the urge to earn better income.



NewsTrackIndia.com reports that in an effort to empower small and marginal farmers, Punjab government is encouraging farmer to take up turkey and pig farming in the rural parts of the State.

A look into the prospects of turkey breeding and pig farming, one learns how both of them are potentially more viable than conventional farming. One Harjit Singh of Lopan Village in Samrala area started his venture four years ago with 11 pigs with an investment of 700 dollars. Today, he takes pride in the fact that his decision has led to raising over 100 pigs of Canadian, Australian and American breeds. Harjit Singh says: "From 11 pigs for years ago, today my farm houses 107 pigs. Initially, I nourished an English breed, then an Australian pig and then I ventured into importing red pig. Everyday, I get so many calls from traders asking for pigs and pork."Harjit has received several farming awards for his initiative into promoting pig farming in the State. He has inspired over 20 farmers to take up pig farming for a better income.

Red pig meat today has a big demand and is supplied to different areas of Punjab and outside the State as well. Harjit Singh said: "I sell my pigs for Rs. 2,000 (approx. US$ 40) higher than the market price. I am provide ready to eat organic pork pickle to customers." The Punjab government has launched a diversification drive in the animal husbandry sector. Turkey farming, an initiative to empower small and marginal farmers, has been well-received by poultry farmers.

Turkey breeding is potentially more viable than conventional poultry farming. But he marketing of turkey took a lot of convincing of clients.

Jagdeep Sing, a Turkey farmer, said: "There was a time when market for turkey was not so good. I had to struggle to convince visiting hoteliers and restaurant owners and telling them the benefits of turkey. There is lot of scope in turkey trade since people are getting more and more aware about this bird. The cholesterol level in turkey is less and it is high in protein in comparison to chicken."For a farmer a turkey can give an income of six dollars within 20 to 24 weeks. Also, there is lesser risk of these birds catching disease in comparison to poultry farming. Expenditure on medicines and vaccination per bird is also negligible. Since it has lower cholesterol, fat-level and higher protein content than any other white meat, turkey meat is in great demand in the market.

[mikey]

Friday, November 14, 2008Print This Page
Pig Producer Prices Hit the Floor Again
IRELAND - IFA Pigs Committee Chairman Michael Maguire expressed serious concern for the pig sector, following announcements by pigmeat processors both north and south of price cuts for this week’s pigs.



Pig farmers are now below break even again, and Michael Maguire said the situation is completely unsustainable.

He said, “The market has been very difficult on the continent over the last number of weeks with weekly price falls recorded, however Irish prices have simply followed EU prices down despite the fact that Irish prices never reached the late summer continental highs.”

Mr. Maguire said “the consensus from all our recent IFA regional pig member meetings is that the Irish pigmeat producers and processors must once again pick up the campaign to reclaim the home market. This will be achieved through a revamped marketing strategy by Bord Bia, increased surveying of the retailers and processors and a name and shame campaign revealing those who are not supporting the Irish pigmeat sector.”

Michael Maguire reiterated his view about the Government failure to safeguard the industry through the introduction of compulsory ‘Country of Origin Labelling’. “Until the Irish government take measures to effectively and clearly demonstrate to the consumer the origin of their food, the consumer will continue to be misled in both the retail and food service sectors,” he said.

"It is vital that this campaign raises awareness of which companies are supporting Irish products and which are not. It is obvious that some retailers are not supporting Irish pigmeat products and unless this situation is rectified, the future of the industry is in jeopardy," he concluded.

[mikey]

Monday, November 17, 2008Print This Page
Ministry Affirms Move to Intensify Production
VIET NAM - The Ministry of Agriculture is encouraging a move from backyard to intensive livestock and poultry production to increase output.



Viet Nam will aim to modernise its animal husbandry and poultry sectors, shifting from a household-based economy to one based on industrial farms by 2020, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has affirmed, reports an official source.

The aim is to gradually remove conventional forms of livestock breeding by rural households across the country.

Do Kim Tuyen, head of the Cattle Breeding Department under the ministry, said at a recent seminar that apart from meeting domestic demand, Viet Nam's livestock industry is also targeting some export markets, especially China and Hong Kong.

According to the ministry's strategic plan, industrial density in the agriculture production as a whole will stand at 32, 38 and 42 per cent respectively by 2010, 2015 and 2020.

By 2010, the sector targets an output of 3.2 million tonnes of meat. The number would be 5.5 million tonnes for 2020.

Also by 2020, per-capita output is expected to reach 56 kilos of meat, 140 eggs and more than 10 kilos of milk.

However, Mr Tuyen said Viet Nam's target for the next 12 years is equal only to China's current figures, adding that the domestic livestock industry still had a long way to go.

All farms, slaughterhouses and meat processing enterprises would be required to have their own waste treatment systems, he stressed.

Animal feed is a matter of concern now, as farmers and breeders have not paid much attention to the role of agricultural byproducts like sugar cane or soybean waste, said Mr Tuyen, adding that disposing them into the environment was both wasteful and harmful.

"It is such a waste because 50 per cent of the animal feed for the livestock industry has to be imported," Mr Tuyen said, adding that if it was utilised, the existing amount of agricultural byproducts could feed 10 million cattle.

The report concludes that not utilising feed processed from agricultural byproducts partially increased market prices for meat since Vietnamese breeders often used imported feed, which increased production costs and reduced their competitiveness.

[mikey]

Monday, November 17, 2008Print This Page
Aussies Likely to Feel Pork Pinch This Christmas
AUSTRALIA - Christmas ham may be off the menu for struggling families this year as a pork shortage sends prices surging.



The Territory is not alone as the whole country feels the pinch on pork.

Darwin's Quality Meats owner Scott Massie said pork had gone up in price every week for the past 10 weeks and the price spike would be felt at Christmas.

"Nobody is going to have cheap hams," he said.

"Pork will be available - it just depends how much people want to spend."

With the economic downturn starting to bite, families across Australia may have to go for half a ham instead of the full Christmas leg, reports Northern Territory News. Farmers are reaping the effects of high grain prices and a strong Australian dollar last year.

Meanwhile, a flood of subsidised imported pork from Europe and the US drove prices down to breaking point.

"They were just too cheap - they were destroying the industry," Mr Massie said.

Australian Pork Limited (APL) communications manager Emily Mackintosh said the national pork herd has been cut by tens of thousands as small producers get out of the industry.

The result is about 40,000 less sows nationwide - and the shortage will drive prices up.

Mr Massie said he had secured many hams at good prices but if they ran out he would have to buy more at a higher price - and late orders would pay.

"If everyone's hams are more expensive then we might run out - the wholesalers are saying hams are going to be very short," he said.

But Parap Fine Foods owner Neville Pantazis said the 250 hams he had ordered for Christmas would not be more expensive than last year as he placed his order early.

"I put my orders in eight months ago," he said.

"As soon as Christmas is over I lock myself in for the next year."

[mikey]

Monday, November 17, 2008Print This Page
Mainland China Exports Less Pork at Higher Rates
CHINA - Mainland China has seen a decline in pork exports during the first eight months, the major causes being high pig-raising costs, numerous raisers quitting and lingering impact from the May 12 earthquake in Sichuan province, a major pork producing region.



Between January and August, China sold abroad 50,000 tons of pork for $170 million, a decrease of 52.4 percent and 15.6 percent, respectively, from the same period of last year, sources with the General Administration of Customs said on Saturday.

But the average price of pork soared 77.4 percent to $3,400 per ton.

Of the total exports, 78 percent, or 39,000 tons, went to Hong Kong, down 33 percent, 4,868 tons to Kirghizia, down 20 percent, and 2,220 tons to Macao, down 31.3 percent.

Approximately 72 percent of the total, or 36,000 tons were sold by private businesses, down 53.7 percent, 7,172 tons by foreign-funded companies, down 15.7 percent, and 4,141 tons by state-owned enterprises, down 76.7 percent.

[mikey]

Tuesday, November 18, 2008Print This Page
Pig Population up by 43% in Leningrad
RUSSIA - Numbers are up by 43% at Agricultural Complex in the Leningrad region for the first nine months of 2008 compared to last year.



Meat Russia reports that pig stocks in Agricultural Complex grew by 43% for nine months of the current year in Leningrad Region, including agricultural organizations where the stock increased 1.6-fold. About 20% of the stock is kept on private and commercial farms.

For 2007, pig numbers in the region increased by 3% to 68,700 heads. According to statistics data, for first 8 months of 2008, total pig numbers on all farms in the region was 100,500.

Constructed this year, the largest farm in the region is pig breeding complex for 60,000 head in Tosno district of Leningrad Region in the current year. The project is part of the State Program on Agricultural Complex Development.

[mikey]

Tuesday, November 18, 2008Print This Page
Sales of Animal Medicines Rose in 2007
US - The Animal Health Institute has published a report covering the volume of medications used in farm animals and pets in 2007. Total sales were up by 5 per cent compared to the previous year, which could be explained by increased meat production.



Working with veterinarians to provide them the tools to keep farm animals and pets healthy, animal health companies increased sales of antibiotics in 2007. Antibiotics are critical disease-fighting medicines used to treat diseases in dogs, cats and other companion animals, and in farm animals to improve their well-being and ensure the production of safe and wholesome food.

Total sales for use in animals rose 5 percent over 2006, according to data provided by the research-based companies that produce animal medicines. One factor that may have contributed to the increase was an increase in U.S. meat production of more than 2 billion pounds.


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"The entire increase in the percentage of the total amount used for growth and efficiency was in ionophores, compounds not used in human medicine." 

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The antibiotic data were collected from a survey of members of the Animal Health Institute (AHI), consisting of companies that make medicines for pets and farm animals.

"Animals are prone to illness and they require medicines to treat and prevent disease," said AHI President and CEO, Alexander S. Mathews. "Animals need medicine, too, and the availability of these medicines to protect animal health is an essential tool in the fight to protect human health."

The amount of the total used for growth and efficiency in 2007 was estimated to be 13 per cent, up from less than 5 per cent the previous year.

Two factors accounted for this increase. First, revisions to prior years' reports were recognized. Second, some increase was expected as animal producers struggle with high grain prices and seek to capture both the economic efficiencies and the health benefits derived from the use of these products. Notably, the entire increase in the percentage of the total amount used for growth and efficiency was in ionophores, compounds not used in human medicine. The amount of non-ionophore compounds used for growth declined slightly in 2007.

"These figures are an indication that producers are employing judicious use principles," said Mr Mathews. "As they try to gain efficiency to combat high feed costs, they are being careful to use compounds that have no chance of impacting human health."

All antibiotics undergo a rigorous approval process at the Food and Drug Administration that includes an assessment of safety of the product for the treated animal and safety of the milk and meat produced. In addition, all proposed antibiotic products as well as those previously approved undergo a risk assessment procedure, called Guidance 152, to scientifically measure the safety of the product with respect to health hazards resulting from the spread of antibiotic resistance. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves antibiotics used in animals for four purposes: Disease treatment, disease control and disease prevention, which are considered by FDA and the American Veterinary Medical Association to be therapeutic, and for growth promotion.

[mikey]

Friday, November 21, 2008Print This Page
Trichina Worms Make a Comeback
GERMANY - Animal health officials today reported that trichina worms, known to infect pigs and cause illnesses in humans, have made a comeback in Germany.



The worms were found at a slaughterhouse in a pig from a private home, veterinarian Holger Vogel said in Anklam.

Many area householders still keep pig-sties and raise pigs at home.

He said the worms appeared to have been spread by rodents from nearby western Poland, where the nematodes are rife. It has spread to wild animals in the Western Pomerania area.

Decades ago, Germany wiped out the disease in domestic animals, but it is still common in developing nations.


 

[mikey]

Friday, November 21, 2008Print This Page
Benefits of Giving Weaners a Flying Start
UK - The escalation in feed prices last autumn forced Northern Ireland pig producer Gary Anderson to take a hard look at all aspects of herd health.

 

With a 400-sow herd at Stewartstown, near Cookstown, rearing all the progeny to baconers, his focus was on improving early piglet health to give weaners a better start.

He was concerned that weaners were not growing away as they should, impairing later performance, and decided to work with his local veterinary practitioner John Grant to put into place a new herd health regime.

“Gary recognised that he needed to start right to finish right,” says Mr Grant, of Parklands Veterinary Clinic, Cookstown, County Tyrone.

A new vaccination programme was introduced, protecting sows and piglets against viral and mycoplasmal infection that improved the overall health status, but there remained on-going respiratory problems with the weaners.

Mr Grant suggested a trial which was undertaken over a period of eight weeks with all piglets given the antibiotic Draxxin, licensed for the treatment and prevention of swine respiratory disease, when they were weaned (at 26 to 27 days of age). Gary Anderson recorded scrupulously the weight gain of the weaners.

The first difference he noticed was an immediate improvement in feed intake. “It was up by 50 percent in the first couple of days, and probably 10 to 20 per cent after that,” he comments.

Daily growth rate increased from an average of 315 grams/day during the previous six weeks to 356 grams/day. This led him to adopt the same approach for all weaners and the improvement was maintained, with growth in the post weaning stage averaging out at 367 grams/day.

The pigs are finished at around 24 weeks at just over 80kg liveweight, processed by Grampian Country Foods for bacon.

The increase in growth rate post-weaning has been carried through to the second stage where it is running at around 620 grams/day. “The pigs are coming through much more evenly,” says Mr Anderson. “This shows just how important it is to give the pigs a good start — if not, we’ll lose at least one weeks’ growth at the end.”

His vet comments: “The use of Draxxin has certainly helped against non-specific mycoplasmal / bacterial infection, enabling the pigs to manage better the challenge from viral infections such as PMWS.”

[mikey]

Monday, November 24, 2008Print This Page
Pig Crisis in Denmark and the Netherlands
EU - Both the Dutch and Danish herd sizes are shrinking and pig producers throughout Europe are in crisis.

 

The Danish herd is nearly eight per cent smaller than it was a year ago and when viewed against the ten percent fall recorded in summer, this suggests a tentative stabilisation rather than a recovery.

Contraction in the Dutch herd started later than in other parts of Europe but is now significant, with this year's August census showing a year on year drop of four percent in the breeding herd.

Pig World Publisher Digby Scott has some thoughts on the subject: "European pig producers have invested heavily in efficient pig production and now they see mounting losses, their outlets shrinking and extra environmental and animal welfare costs they cannot afford.

"European pig producers are in crisis and for the first time units are lying empty because new or existing producers are no longer coming forward to step into the shoes of those who have given up the struggle.

"Even those who are hanging on by their fingertips are wondering if there is any point, because if red-tape and poor prices don't get them now, low-cost imports from Brazil and the United States will get them in the future.

"It is a gloomy prospect. So gloomy that in the next few years Europe's large processors and retailers might find their gravy train running into the buffers as the European pig cycle breaks beyond apparent repair, just as Britain's did a decade ago."