Pigs

Pig producers are being urged to look at flexible feeding strategies with their nutritionists as high feed prices continue to leave margins tight.

Investing in long-troughs to feed outdoor sows can significantly reduce costs, cut feed waste and help counter excessive nutrient leeching in soils. It’s also more hygienic and can reduce the bird and vermin populations visiting and colonising a pig unit in search of food, according to Con-Tented Products.

Cargill UK is now offering its welfare-enhancing feed product in both liquid and in powder form, extending its application to all pig production systems, and at all life stages.

An annual AHDB report that looks at the cost of pig meat production in 17 countries has revealed a 20% increase in GB costs for indoor pigs last year as opposed to a 6% rise in EU countries.

The Royal Agricultural Society of England is delighted to announce that its flagship event, the British Pig & Poultry Fair, will be moving to a new venue at the NEC for 2024 and beyond.

Sister and brother Beth and Luke Wilkinson from North Yorkshire took home both the championship and reserve titles during a memorable finale at the 2022 English Winter Fair.

The four councils, Beef & Lamb, Cereals & Oilseeds, Dairy and Pork, have published sector plans as part of a commitment to outline how the levy will be invested over the next five years.

Dover Port Health Authority has confirmed it seized 2.5 tonnes of illegal pork products from 22 vehicles checked over a single weekend at the beginning of October. The discovery occurred during a multi-agency exercise at the port – part of the work to reduce the risk of African swine fever entering the country.

AHDB’s latest figures show cost of production remains high, with pig producers now losing an average of £18-20 per pig slaughtered.

The post-weaning diarrhoea (PWD) vaccine Coliprotec can prevent the disease in nearly 60% of pig herds, UK diagnostic testing data has shown.

The British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) said Defra’s recently launched consultation focuses on too small a part of the pork supply chain and ignores many of the complexities that contributed to the recent crisis in the pig sector.

The government is inviting pig farmers, abattoirs, processors, retailers, marketing groups and other stakeholders to submit their views to a UK-wide review of the pig sector.