Finding Latest Feed Info
Nearby LIFFE wheat futures were trading slightly higher over the week, up £2.75/t at £109.5/t on yesterday’s (15th) close.

Meanwhile, CBOT wheat futures prices have risen by more than $60/t since early December to over $230/t, the highest level in three months. Increased fund activity, which has increased market liquidity and firmer soya markets have supported prices. Markets, however, continue to be influenced by currency movements and weather concerns in Europe and South America. CBOT soyameal futures tracked soyabean prices higher, trading $7/t higher over the week at $336/t.

Knowledge Transfer

Tip of the Week: Parity Structure
Check parity structure and gilt/boar requirements for the year; review farrowing rates for June to August services last year and plan accordingly. If you need further information on parity structure or farrowing rates contact one of the BPEX KT managers.

Ask BPEX
Check out some of the latest Q&As that have been submitted to BPEX via ‘Ask BPEX’, topics include:

• Costings for slurry lagoon covers
• BQAP certification
• Feeding maize silage
• Finishing pigs on potatoes

"Ask BPEX" is a question and answer service brought to you by the BPEX Team. This includes experts in nutrition, the environment, health, meat science, practical on-farm advice and much more!

Gilt Management Workshops
Look out for a series of gilt management workshops being run by Angela Cliff. The workshops will cover isolation and integration, planned introduction into the herd and nutrition for the developing gilt and for her first reproductive cycle. For more information check the online events calendar or get in touch with Angela Tel 01908 844744 or Email angela.cliff@bpex.org.uk.

Preparing Pigs for Slaughter
Housing, careful handling, group size, stocking levels as well as loading and transportation can all have a major influence on the welfare of the finished pig and financial returns for the producer.

ADAS, together with BPEX and Vetscore, are to hold 10 early evening workshops (5 pm to 7.30 pm) with refreshments from early February which are free to all producers, unit staff and members of the wider pig industry. Besides focusing on the on-farm management issues, the most common problems seen in the abattoir will be shown and discussed how they impact on the health and welfare of the live pig. The first meetings are taking place at the beginning of February in East Anglia (Writtle 2nd, Diss 3rd, and Norwich 4th). If you are interested in attending please contact Lynne Holmes on 01522 751374 or email lynne.holmes@adas.co.uk  to book your place. You will be able to collect PIPR points at these events.

Cost of Production Workshop
Reducing the cost of production is essential to improve competitiveness; can this be achieved through co-op buying and co-op thinking like many dairy units do?

At this workshop Gaynor Wellwood will discuss how South Hams Dairy Co-Op started, what they achieved and the benefits a co-op can bring over and above group purchasing. Geoff Saville will also speak on pig co-ops in Europe and how group buying works. This is a great opportunity for producers in the South West to learn from a successful co-op, as well as providing the opportunity for discussion. It is an open workshop and everyone is welcome! It is on Tuesday 20th January 6:30pm, at The Devon Hotel, Matford, Exeter, EX2 8XU with a buffet to start. To book your place please contact Helen Thoday on 07973 701202 or email Helen.thoday@bpex.org.

EA Website Updated
Following observations and comment from the pig sector, the EA has revised the wording relating to pigs and poultry on their website.  Discussions are taking place with them on a number of issues to do with the site, such as making it easier to navigate and find information.  At present, many people find it quicker to use a search engine rather than try to navigate the site.

River Basin Planning
The Environment Agency has launched a series of consultations outlining proposals to improve water quality across England and Wales. 

These include voluntary and support measures such as Environmental Schemes and also the use of Statutory mechanisms including Water Protection Zones. The Consultation closes 22 June 2009, the six month period reflecting the number of issues involved.  More details are at the Environment Agency website.

Water Protection Zones
Defra has launched a consultation outlining the procedures for designating WPZs and how they should be regulated by the EA.  WPZs are to tackle diffuse pollution including loss of soils and phosphates from land. They allow the EA to manage or prohibit specific high risk activities and extend their powers where damage has been caused.  The EA will be able to issue works notices to correct damage and revoke permits and authorisations if sensitive protected habitats are at risk.

Innovation Conference
The Norfolk Network is holding its Open Innovation Conference on 21 January 2009 at Norwich Biosciences Institutes, Norwich.  The focus will be on how to achieve profitable growth through innovation. Speakers are from a number of major UK companies and the UK Technology Strategy Board who are leading the way in Open Innovation as a core part of their business model for the future, www.norfolknetwork.com

Marketing News

Masterclass With Masterchef
Former Atomic Kitten star and Celebrity Masterchef champion Liz McClarnon is joining the BPEX Home Economist to help people cook pork. To win tickets to attend one of the tour dates in February, go to www.lovepork.co.uk and complete the entry form.

Jamie Oliver on Pigs
Recipe press releases have been sent to all consumer and weekly regional press editors.  Plus 10 pork hampers containing the featured cuts have been sent to the top 10 consumer journalists along with the recipe booklet encouraging them to try the dishes for themselves.  Support promotional material has also been produced in the form of retail on pack stickers to be used by a couple of the top five multiples and a few Foodservice outlets; over 5000 independent retailers will be receiving vinyls, posters and recipe booklets. 

For further details of these and the cutting specifications go to www.porkforbutchers.co.uk  The programme is already getting press coverage, as seen in this weeks Radio Times which ran a 3 page feature, extolling the virtues of British pork, bacon and sausages, and how Jamie is going to look at the pig industry. To see the article, click here.

Bacon Week Competition
The third Bacon Connoisseurs week is due to happen in March, however we are calling all producers of bacon to enter the competition to find Britain’s Connoisseur Bacon.  This year there are four categories to enter, Classic Dry, Wiltshire, Speciality or Smoked Cure.  Go to www.lovebacon.info for an entry form and more info on the week.

National News:

Positive Report on Pig Industry
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee conducted a major inquiry into the English pig industry last September.
The committee took written and oral evidence from industry bodies, retailers, processors and producers and has now published its report which  is extremely positive and highlights the excellence of the English pig industry. However, it does point out the industry faces a number of challenges.

The committee said:

•  English pig producers have higher welfare standards than much of the rest of the EU. However, even in 2013 when the rest of Europe starts to catch up with us there still won’t be a level playing field.
  
• The industry has suffered over the last year from rocketing feed prices and feed is about 50% of the cost of raising a pig – prices have now started to fall back and some producers are moving into profit.
  
• Defra should put its own house in order first by making sure they and all other government departments buy pork and pork products at least to UK standards. The industry has been working hard on this and is making progress towards getting more British pork and pork products into government departments.
  
• About two-thirds of the pork imported into this country would be illegal to produce here by virtue of our higher welfare standards.
  
• Pig farmers have had to implement huge amounts of environmental legislation, which has been costly. In the UK the Government has given no help to the industry to achieve these goals whereas in other European countries governments have been very supportive. (either with tax breaks or grants)
  To see the entire report click here.

MP Quizzes PM
Richard Bacon (Lab), a long-term supporter of the pig industry posed a question to Gordon Brown pointing out 70% of imported pork is reared to unacceptable welfare standards. He said given the environment secretary’s remarks last week asking for clearer labelling, does the PM agree that compulsory country of origin labelling should be put in place in order to ensure a fair deal for British farmers and consumers?

Gordon Brown’s reply was – We are in active discussion with farmers and supermarkets around an agreed set of voluntary criteria to support farmers. UK sets the standard but all EU member states must be compliant to new Europe wide regulations and we will insist standards be met.

That hardly addressed the question which was basically asking for clear and unambiguous labelling to allow consumers to make an informed choice.

Leaf Open Day Workshops
Leaf (Linking Environment and Farming)) has now organised 20 workshops during March and April helping farmers and their helpers organise and publicise a fun and memorable Open Farm Sunday event for their friends and neighbours.Farmers and growers can all get involved in Open Farm Sunday on the 7th June 2009. For further information, click here.

Sainsbury’s Seek New Farrowing System
Sainsbury's is trialling a new scheme with the aim of improving the lives of millions of pigs. 

The retailer hopes to find a commercial alternative to farrowing crates which are used to protect piglets in indoor pig production systems during the suckling period.  Working with a pig farm in East Yorkshire – Sainsbury’s will fund a trial site looking at alternative indoor farrowing systems. 

Green Light for Somerfield Purchase
The Co-op has been given the green light for its takeover of Somerfield provided it sells off more than 130 stores. The move comes after the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) said it would not refer the takeover to the Competition Commission. Stores in areas across the country are to be sold as part of the acquisition, which is now set to go ahead at the beginning of March.

International News:

US Exports Up
U.S. red meat exports continued to outpace 2007 levels, with November 2008 results showing pork up 20 percent and beef up 9 percent from November 2007, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation. For the first 11 months of 2008, pork and pork variety meat exports neared 1,898,698 metric tons (4.18 billion pounds), a 61 percent increase over the same period a year earlier. The value of pork exports through the first 11 months of 2008 was $4.5 billion, an increase of 59 percent.

Export Report
For the latest export report, click here.

International Prices
Click here for the latest international prices