Finding Latest Feed Info
The soyabean and soya product markets have stabilised this week after dramatic price surges with FEMAS soyameal, ex-mill Liverpool, for June delivery, was quoted at £330/t.  The latest USDA report gives global soyabean production at 241Mt (211Mt 08/09) with forecast demand at 231Mt (221Mt), with ending stocks of 51Mt (41.8Mt). China’s soyabean imports in June are forecast to reach record of 4.62Mt. However, due to crushers experiencing difficulties in storage, it is likely that exports will rise in the coming months which will reduce stockpiles built up from high soyabean imports and slow domestic demand for animal feed.

Multiple Pick-up and Drop-off
With effect from 13 July the rules governing multiple pick-ups and drop-offs of livestock in England will be changing.  From that date there will be no need for holdings to have prior approval from Defra to operate as a multiple pick-up/drop-off site.

In future all pick-ups and drop-offs can be made providing that they take place on the perimeter of holdings either by tail-gating, use of pens or temporary pens.  Full rules can be found in the General Licences for the movements of animals at www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/id-move/index.htm.  It is the responsibility of keepers to ensure that rules are adhered to.

These changes will only apply within England.  Prior approval will still be needed for any movements involving multiple pick-ups and/or drop-offs within Wales. 

All keepers should make themselves aware of the new rules and their responsibilities within them.

Marketing News

Campaign for Clearer Labels
Pig farmer and TV personality Jimmy Doherty, is doing a tour of the country to campaign for clearer Country of Origin labelling on pork, bacon, sausages and ham.  

The tour will visit Birmingham and Norwich (30th June); Leeds and Nottingham (2nd July); and Southampton and Bristol (14th July) when Jimmy will be asking shoppers if they can clearly identify from standard supermarket labels where pork is from to show just how confusing labels can be.

He said: “As a pig farmer myself I am hugely concerned that products containing imported pork that does not meet minimum UK welfare standards can legally be labelled ‘British.
“That is why I have joined forces with BPEX to campaign for clearer Country of Origin labels.  I want to see whether shoppers can tell the difference and show why the current labels are confusing.”

Ironclad Case for Red Meat
Red meat as a vital source of iron has been given a ringing endorsement in a new report just published.   The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition Working Group on Iron has highlighted red meat as one of the most important dietary sources of iron and haem-iron in particular – the type more readily absorbed by the body.”   The report says health professionals need to be more vigilant in looking for poor iron status in vulnerable groups at risk of iron deficiency, including anaemia.   These include toddlers, girls and women of reproductive age and adults over 65. Appropriate advice on how to increase their iron intakes should be provided.

”EBLEX and BPEX Nutrition Manager Maureen Strong said: “As well as red meat, the report also says food fortified with iron, such as breakfast cereals, make little practical contribution to the improvement of iron status.   “The report also suggested the evidence used by the World Cancer Research Fund linking red and processed meat consumption with an increased risk of bowel cancer is not conclusive.

LIPs Online
LIPs has a new consumer facing web page.  www.ladiesinpigs.co.uk, informs people wanting to know more about LIPs or wanting to join what they do and offers them the chance to become members by downloading their new information leaflet and membership form.  Also available to download is their latest recipe leaflet and available to buy is their very own cook book. 

Black Farmer Joins QSM
The Black Farmer has joined up to the Quality Standard Mark and is now displaying the QSM on his products.

Knowledge Transfer

Mark Wilson Moves On
BPEX Chairman Stewart Houston has paid tribute to the huge amount of work Mark Wilson has done for the pig industry.

Mark joined BPEX as Director of Pig Industry Development and set about creating the Knowledge Transfer team which is now firmly established.

Stewart said: “Mark has had a huge impact on the industry through his hard work setting up the KT team and through the team’s work with pig producers throughout the country.

“Mark has also been instrumental in refocusing BPEX activity into projects and research which have had a real impact on individual businesses in the areas of meat quality, environment and competitiveness. He was also the driving force behind the PCV2 research project which has now really proved its worth.”

BPEX Director Mick Sloyan said: “Mark has worked tirelessly for the pig industry which owes him a debt of gratitude for all he has achieved in the time he has been with BPEX.

His work brought real benefits to the industry and covered everything from farrowing to meat quality.”

Mark is moving on to become Agricultural Director of VION.

Tip of the Week: Control Weeds!
With improving weather comes plant growth, and unfortunately that includes weeds. Why not invest in a knapsack sprayer and get on top of weed growth around pig buildings and the surrounding areas. This should ensure the site remains tidy throughout the summer, and also help in the control of vermin and disease, with fewer places for animals to hide in and around buildings. Don't forget to check the legislative requirements relating to the safe use of pesticides and knapsack spraying, you may be required to send a member of staff on a training course - check out your local agricultural college for further information.

Latest BPHS Report
The British Pig Health Scheme was launched in July 2005 and completed its three year programme of activity in June 2008; this report summarises progress. The report can be downloaded from the BPEX website here or contact BPEX: kt@bpex.org.uk.

Soil Management Plans
Outdoor pig keepers recognise the need for good soil and land management practice and the need to work within the constraints of the land in order to prevent negative consequences, such as soil erosion and compaction. The BPEX Soil Management Plan template, developed with producers and their landlords, is a practical tool designed to assist outdoor producers to formalise their observations and plans and monitor how effective this has been. Soil and land management is an ongoing process, and pig production is an integral part of the rotation on many farms, so plans must be reviewed and revised regularly. The template is an effective and simple tool to assist with this process.

PCV2 Vaccine Project
The presentation given by Mark Wilson at recent NPA meetings on the BPEX studies on PCV2 vaccines can be downloaded from the BPEX website here.

The overall conclusions were:

• Clear evidence that PCV2 vaccines do work to combat PMWS and PDNS delivering improved herd performance.
• It is clear that there are more health issues than PCV2 related diseases.
• PCV2 vaccines are no substitute for excellent management.
• Large numbers needed to prove the effects or very close control of comparisons
• Accurate recording vital for correct decision making on your unit.
• What are your herd records telling you?

National News:

Practical Production Training
Funding for skills development within the Yorkshire and Humber region is now reaching the pig sector and enabling staff access to heavily subsidised training events via support from the Landskills/Yorkshire forward Initiative.

Two companies that are already utilising this funding are the Bishopton vet group and the Garth vet group. Both practices have set up their own series of workshops aimed at pig farm staff which will run throughout June and July.

Health Service for Pigs
A health service for pigs is being launched in Yorkshire and Humberside. It aims to chart the health of all pig herds in the two counties and to bring pig-keepers together to reduce common pig illnesses and perhaps to eradicate some pig diseases, for instance swine dysentery.

The new health service, which has yet to be officially named, may eventually be rolled out across all England. It is being introduced in Yorkshire and Humberside because pig producers in this area have a reputation for being go-ahead and working well together. The project is being funded by the regional development agency (Yorkshire Forward), and BPEX, which is funded from levies paid by English pig-keepers.

“Having persuaded some of the country’s largest retailers to stop importing fresh pork, we now have a responsibility to ensure there are sufficient supplies of high-welfare British pork for them to sell,” said pig producer and BPEX chairman Stewart Houston.

A steering group has been appointed to oversee the project. Chairman is North Yorkshire pig producer Richard Lister. A meeting is to be held at Malton Rugby Club on July 1, at 3pm. Everyone who farms pigs in Yorkshire and Humberside is invited to attend and help design the way the new health service will work. To apply to attend the meeting, click here.

International News

Research Into New Crosses
A new project to determine whether crossing of traditional Danish pig with other breeds of pigs could be the basis for a special production of gourmet pork. At present Danish sows are being crossed with Mangalitza pigs and black foot Iberian pigs so that in spring meat will be ready for examination. The meat from the new pigs must be evaluated both as fresh meat and in various processed products. (Source, Danish Meat Association)

Smithfield Cuts Pig Herd
Smithfield Foods, has reported a net loss for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 of $78.8 million. For the full fiscal year, the net loss was $190.3 million.

Hog production suffered historic losses under the weight of sharply higher feed costs across the fiscal year. Domestic raising costs increased to $62 per hundredweight versus $50 per hundredweight in the prior year as the cost of feed and feed ingredients increased $527 million. Corn, which is the major component in the company’s livestock feed, increased 26% year over year. To date, Smithfield has already reduced the size of its US herd by two million market hogs annually, and is initiating a further reduction of 3% of its US sow herd, effective immediately.

US Pork Demand to Rebound?
Demand for U.S. pork in Mexico is on the rebound and by the end of June shall have nearly returned to pre-H1N1 levels, according to Chad Russell, the U.S. Meat Export Federation's regional director for Mexico and the Dominican Republic.  Russell said in a USMEF audio update this week that the organization has conducted surveys indicating that the vast majority of consumers in Mexico do not believe that people can contract H1N1 from eating pork.

Export Bulletin
The Russian market is starting to move in spite of the continuing financial crisis in Russia so Danish slaughterhouses have noted increasing sales and a considerable reduction in stocks of products for the Russian market as well. On the markets in the Far East prices are falling in China. A decreasing Chinese export and higher imports are the reason for it, but at the same time it is estimated that it is just a temporary phenomenon. Japan is still contributing positively. To read the full bulletin,  click here.

International Prices
For the latest international prices, click here.