Knowledge Transfer

Tip of the week - Recording
At a recent Midlands Pig Club meeting, veterinarian David Chennells gave advice on recording, especially the level of detail recorded. So the next time you have a mortality in the finishing herd, don't just put a "1" in a column, record as much as possible eg weight, age, why, where (pen/building), when, and who (breed/source). All this is important information when you analyse your records to try and identify the factors involved.

Efficient Feed Usage
Feed costs have risen to represent nearly 80% of the variable costs of producing a pig and over 50% of total costs. Consequently any fluctuation in feed prices has a greater impact on production costs and profitability than any other single factor. While it may be possible to decrease the cost of production (COP) by reducing input prices eg switching to a cheaper ration or purchasing in larger quantities, it can also be achieved through simple practical actions to minimise feed wastage and to improve the efficiency of utilisation. BPEX have just produced an Action for Productivity sheet on this topic, download it here or contact BPEX to receive a copy.

Beware of Oil Theft
Incidents of oil theft have increased in Cambridgeshire by almost 50% this year compared to the same period last year according to police statistics.

Between September and October last year there were four reported incidents of oil theft across the county, however, this year there have already been seven. There is a duty of care by everyone who uses an oil storage tank, to make sure it is secure and that every precaution is taken to reduce the risk of your oil being stolen.

There are a number of things you can do to reduce the chance of having your oil stolen:

• Position your oil tank away from public view, while maintaining accessibility
•  Use trees, plants and fences to disguise the tank from passing traffic
• Think about how difficult it is to gain access to the oil tank - could someone walk off the street and access your tank unnoticed? 
• Install gates to your property and keep them locked – even when you’re at home
• Fit motion activated lighting that will be activated by anyone approaching your tank
• Lay a gravel path on the approach to your tank so you can hear anyone approaching
• Keep a record of how much oil you are using – you may not spot a small amount missing each day, but over a week or a month is very noticeable
• Sight gauges are often used by thieves to drain the tank, ensure any sight gauge is securely supported and replace the screw valve with a self closing valve.

Improving Reproductive Efficiency
BPEX are running an evening workshop looking at weaning and the oestrus cycle; establishment of pregnancy; and AI management on Tuesday 21st October at the Cedars Hotel, Stowmarket. If you would like more information or to come along, contact Kayt Johnson or tel: 01908 844744.

Marketing News

Save Money With Love Pork
A short cooking demo was filmed and used to showcase the versatility and good value of pork.  This was streamed into a live webchat with Jasmine Birtles, Financial Expert, and Clare Greenstreet, BPEX Home Economist.

The webchat was pre-promoted on 16 websites including Femalefirst, Supanet, Eparenting and Delicious, and on the day streamed live from the site.  To see the full interview and demo click here and to download further cooking tips from Clare and money saving tips from Jasmine go to www.lovepork.co.uk/SavewithPork.asp

Product Evaluation Roadshow
The second of the seven events has taken place at the Sandy Park Stadium, Sandy Park Conference Centre, Exeter, Devon.  Product categories included: bacon, gammon, sausages, hot or cold pies, ready meals, meatballs & faggots. 

There were eleven exhibitors ranging from suppliers of spice ingredients to packaging and scales, and a wholesale meat supplier.

Any independent retailer or farm shop wishing to enter their pork products for evaluation can do so by downloading an entry form by clicking here or by ringing 01908 844107 to get one sent or faxed.

The overall winner for the event is Colyton Butchers who entered their West Country Pork Sausage.

Entries were received from 15 butchers (112 products) with 58 Gold awards being presented.

British Sausage Week
This year’s BSW has been the most popular ever with both kits being well received. More than 2000 pubs kits have been sent out and orders are still coming in. On the schools side, 50,000 have been sent out along with 100,000 competition forms,

Chef Education Days
Two very successful chef education days were run at Jimmy Butler’s farm. 50 chefs attended and coverage was achieved across foodservice titles. Following on from Galvin’s at Windows (Park Lane Hilton) have developed a couple of dishes and feature them on the menu. Sales have been highly encouraging.

Best Pub Cooked Breakfast
The competition to find the best pub cooked breakfast has been launched. The competition was featured at Pub Chef Live (Monday 6th October) along with a presentation on how breakfast is a great business opportunity for the pub sector as well as how serving QSM bacon and sausage along with other pork products can promote a pub’s profile in the market.

Sales Talk
There will be a meet the buyer event at Notts County FC Ground, Meadow Lane, Nottingham, in late November. This is aimed at pig farmers who may wish to meet buyers from Nottinghamshire County Council, Nottingham City Council, Derbyshire CC, Derby City Council, Leicestershire CC, Leicester City Council and Northamptonshire CC.

Contract caterer wants to buy 8,000 kg smoked back bacon per annum. Would like to make contact with a curer who can provide QSM standard at a competitive price
Large caterer wants to buy 20 tonnes un-smoked back bacon per annum. Would like to make contact with a curer who can provide QSM standard at a competitive price
For more details on any of these, contact Tony Goodger on 0777 5535212 or by email, tony.goodger@ahdbms.org.uk

National News:

Regional NPA Meeting
A regional NPA meeting is being held on October 22 at the Crown Hotel, Boroughbridge, starting at 6pm. BPEX Chief Executive Mick Sloyan will give an update on marketing and costs and then there will be a session on PCV2. Merial and Boehringer are presenting their findings on vaccination. It will finish with an update of NPA activities.

Best Farming Practice Booklet
The Environment Agency has just published a booklet called Best Farming Practices which offers farmers 250 ways to benefit their business while protecting soils, water and wildlife.

Best Farming Practices is a free publication for Farmers, Growers, Land Managers and Farm Business Advisers, its key message is what's good for business can also be good for the environment. It features 15 farming case studies.

Best Farming Practices is available free to farmers, growers, land managers and farm business advisers in England and Wales. For your free copy call 08708 506506 or click here.

Please reference code BFP020

Avoid Performance Drop
Performance of the 2nd parity sow can be disappointing and badly affect the breeding herd performance average. This can lead to high return rates and subsequently early culling of young sows.  This will affect the profitability of a herd with a decrease in output and an increase in gilt expenses as well as influencing the general staff morale. BPEX is this autumn running a series of open workshops aimed at producers and stock people focusing on management of the 1st and 2nd parity sow with the team from ABN/ Primary Diets presenting the latest information on feeding strategies.  All meetings are PIPR registered. Workshops start at 6pm and finish at 8.30pm.

• Tuesday 18th November 2008, The Crown Hotel, Horsefair, Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire
  YO51 9LB
• Wednesday 19th November 2008 The Feathers Hotel., 56 Market Place, Pocklington East Riding Of Yorkshire, YO42 2AH
• Tueday 25th November The Croft Hotel, Croft On Tees, Darlington, North Yorkshire, DL2 2ST.

Refreshments will be provided. To register contact Lis Ravn: phone: 0789 165 6784; Email: lisbeth.ravn@bpex.org.uk

International News:

Cereal Duties Back
To promote the supply of cereals to the EU market during the 2008/09 marketing year, Commission Regulation (EC) No 608/2008 of 26 June 2008 temporarily suspended customs duties on imports of most cereals until 30 June 2009 (see IP/08/930). However, the regulation allowed the Commission to reintroduce them in the event of disruption or threatened disruption of the Community market. As the price of wheat has gone below 180% of the reference price, the Commission has announced customs duties on cereals imports will be reintroduced.

EU Pigmeat Report
A report has been issued following the latest COPA & Commission group meeting on pig meat in Brussels.

The UK report showed feed prices remain the dominant factor in the UK pig industry, although they have fallen since mid-year. 

Despite industry losses, the December 2008 pig survey indicated that the breeding herd was just 3% smaller than a year earlier.  However this was because FMD export restrictions from August to November had led to a backlog of sows building up on farms.

Significant reductions in gilt replacements recorded in December, together with an annual increase of over 40% in UK sow slaughterings in January-March 2008, both point to a sharp decline in the breeding herd in the first half of 2008. The decline in sow numbers will begin to impact on clean pig slaughterings in the second half of 2008, but the full effect will be seen in 2009.

To see the full report, which covers nearly all EU countries, click here.

Non-ruminant Proteins Latest
The European Community reference lab is expected to send its report to the Commission by the end of 2008. Once the methodology will be set up (if it is), it should be quickly followed by Commission internal discussions and hopefully there will be some progress on this issue some time during the second part of 2009.

GM Feed Rules
Although the industry is keen to see some move on this issue, the European Commission is not in a rush to relax the rules. The findings of a research project on the subject are expected to be available by the end of 2009 and there is very little chance to see any move for a partial easing of the feed ban until 2010.

Export Bulletin
For the latest Export Bulletin, click here.

International Prices
Click here for the latest international prices