Week Commencing 4 August 08

Time is running out, nominations for this year’s David Black Award close at the end of the month. Go to the BPEX website for a nomination form to put forward the person you believe has made an important and sustained contribution to the British pig industry.

Knowledge Transfer:

Tip Of The Week - Mycotoxins
Be aware of mycotoxins and where they are likely to be found; look out for them and make sure your feed bins are in good repair (see Action for Productivity 8).

Top Tips on Hospital Pen Management and Water Quality
The latest in a comprehensive series of practical tips for pig keepers have just been published. 
Hospital Pen Management provides advice on management guidelines, what the pig needs, nutrition, nursing and recovery.  Water management focuses on availability, requirements, drinker height and quality.

Both sheets can be downloaded from the BPEX website and hard copies are available by contacting Michelle Horan on 01908 844734 or any member of the KT team

Covering Slurry Stores
The Environment Agency has just published a guidance note for Producing a Proposal for Covering Slurry Stores. It is on the same page as the guidance for Undertaking a Site Drainage Review, Undertaking a Housing Review and producing an Emission Reduction Plan, and can be found here.

Got A Burning Question?
Then go to “Ask BPEX”, which is now live on the BPEX website. Whether it’s feed, the environment, vaccination, bedding or something else that’s bugging you we’ll find the answer. Just click on the link on the BPEX website, which you’ll find under Practical Advice. We will send you an immediate acknowledgement of your question and forward it to the appropriate expert. Examples of some previously asked questions can also be viewed by following the above link.

Talk to BPEX about Swine Dysentery 

Further to work with some producers in the area BPEX are keen to get feedback on the incidents of swine dysentery in East Anglia area.  If you are experiencing this in your unit or with clients then please contact Kayt Johnson BPEX KT manager on 07973 977171 or kayt.johnson@bpex.org.uk

Marketing News

Pig Industry Goes For Gold In Beijing
As the Olympics get underway in China, there is good news for the UK pig industry. From yesterday (Thursday 7 August) the Peoples Republic of China has lifted all the restrictions on imports of livestock and meat from the UK, which have been in place since the Foot and Mouth outbreak last year.

Defra and Animal Health are taking immediate action to agree export health certificates for breeding pigs, pig meat, skins, hides, greasy wool and dairy products to allow trade to re-start as soon as practicably possible. The changes come after a concerted effort by BPEX, Defra, the Foreign Office and UK Trade Investment.

Need to Forecast Supply and Demand?
Did you know that the new BPEX website includes forecast on UK pigmeat production and consumption in the form of quarterly slaughtering forecasts and predictions for pork and bacon consumption from domestic and imported supplies.  This information along with EU and USDA forecasts, WTO updates and the latest EU management committee results can be found in the commentary section of the new site.

Pigs Are Worth It Message In High Demand
The PAWit website had a phenomenal upsurge in hits during last weekend, which resulted in the highest ever request for promotional merchandise over one weekend. It has continued throughout the week. Last Saturday (2nd) Aug, the site had 28,588 hits, and a further 20,876 on Sunday.  Many thanks in particular to the clever thinking of one wife linked to the pig industry who added the PAWit site details to web sites dedicated to freebies, hot deals and money saving.

British Sausage Week – Is Yours A Regional Favourite?
Entry letters for the Landmark Banger competition have been sent out this week, to all retailers, encouraging entries to the Landmark Banger competition.  Looking for regionally inspired sausages or flavoured with a locally sourced ingredient.  Competition deadline is 31st August, call for an entry form now, 01908 844107 or download from the dedicated sausage week website

Major Multiples Support British Sausage Week
The majority of supermarkets are getting behind the week this year (3-9 November).  Early discussions have resulted in positive support of either instore or on pack material, online messaging or in some cases instore radio.  Plus many have said they will also enter into the product competition where they will receive a prestigious Banger Award and title of British Sausage Week Multiple Champion.

Export Bulletin
Click here for this weeks export reports

National News:

Scottish Pig Package Offers Little to Producers
NFU Scotland has expressed significant reservations around the £1 million pig package announced by Government yesterday.   The package is a mix of funding to look at the marketing and labelling of pigmeat and new money for future projects.  According to the Scottish NFU it has largely ignored the recommendations of the Scottish Pig Sector Task Force.   Speaking after that meeting, NFU Scotland President Jim McLaren said:

“On the face of it, any £1 million package for the Scottish pig sector is something we should be welcoming unreservedly.   However, the devil is in the detail.   The £200,000 allocated to marketing is money previously included in the Autumn 2007 FMD package, the work on labelling had already been included in the National Food programme and a sizeable chunk amounting to £700,000 has yet to be allocated.   We now need to sit down with the Scottish Government, industry representatives and key players such as Vion to discuss how that £700,000 should be spent. 

“There was a real expectation amongst pig farmers that this package would deliver real benefits.   With less than 40,000 breeding sows left in Scotland – the lowest number for 25 years - our pig producers needed a clear steer that they were valued and that they have a future.   Unfortunately, this announcement is not what they hoped or wanted to hear.”

Edgar Pye Research Scholarship
The aim of this scholarship is to sponsor a research-based project in any area of farm animal feeding including animal nutrition and management, feed production and marketing. The project can be undertaken in the UK, abroad or based on travel to study the appropriate subject. This year’s scholarship winner is Wyn Morgan of Writtle College, with the project: An investigation into the use of wet/dry feeders for pigs from weaning to 40 kg liveweight.

International News:

EU Commission Cuts Pigmeat Export Refunds
The Commission decided to set the refunds for fresh and frozen carcases, cuts and bellies back at zero, starting from today (Friday 8 Aug). The Commission will continue to monitor the market situation closely and, if appropriate, take further action

The export refunds for trade out of the EU (€ 31.1/100kg (c.25p/kg) for carcases and cuts and € 19.4/100kg (c. 15.5p/kg) for bellies) were re-introduced in November 2007, as a temporary measure to respond to the difficult market situation due to the combination of over-supply of EU production and high feed costs.

French Welfare Support
In order to help producers to adhere to the new welfare standards relating to the housing of pregnant sows the French government has announced support of up to 20% of total eligible investment. This support is increased by 10% for producers located in less favoured areas (mountains) and for young farmers. The ceiling is 15 000 € per farm, with an extra 1500 € for LFA and YF. Also a ceiling of 100 € per sow is applied

Huge Losses For German Pig Farmers
According to German pig producers’ group ISN, German pig farmers have lost over € 3 bn. due to high feed and fuel prices. They need piglet prices of € 70 against € 50 paid now and slaughter prices of € 2 /kg. They want the reintroduction of animal fat into pig feed, no restriction on GM feed and the abandonment of new costly environmental legislation.

Pork Imports Into China Are Growing Fast
Recent trade data from China shows the growth of pork imports, particularly from the USA but also from France and Denmark. Irish pork processors also compete on the market

International Prices
Click here for the latest international prices