Winners of Good Pig Production Awards honored

Compassion in World Farming, in association with the International Cooperation Committee of Animal Welfare (ICCAW), held its second Good Pig Production Awards at an event in Westminster, London on Nov. 18. Eight representatives of this year's 14 deserving winners from China were in London to be presented with their awards and to hear from experts in pig welfare and food industry leaders, including Sainsbury's and BQP.
China is currently the world’s largest producer of pigs, rearing an astounding 726 million a year– more than half the world’s pig population and five times more than that produced in the USA. Over 60 per cent of the world’s pork is consumed in China and this level seems set to increase with the inevitable population growth. In order to meet this demand, there has been a major shift away from traditional small-scale pig farms to large-scale intensive production¹. Such scaling-up of production has been achieved by greater vertical integration in the supply chain and geographic concentration of production¹, along with the use of highly productive breeds, intensive systems (such as sow stalls, farrowing crates, high stocking densities, and barren pens), and intensive practices (such as tail docking, and teeth-clipping).
It is precisely these practices that Compassion and ICCAW are educating against through the Good Pig Production Award, which recognizes Chinese producers for implementing higher welfare standards within their pig production systems.
Madame Xi, executive president of ICCAW, gave her comments on the Good Pig Production Award: “Before launching the Good Pig Production Award, not many people in China were aware of the Five Freedoms of animal welfare. Today industry experts, farm owners and even some consumers know more about pig welfare requirements such as no sow stalls, no teeth-clipping, no tail-docking, and the provision of appropriate bedding materials, all because of the Award. It is a remarkable change and demonstrates significant progress in China, the world’s largest producer of pigs. Moreover, it has resulted in a very positive effect on the global environment and sustainable agricultural development.”
Many large Chinese pig producers are already recognizing the benefits of higher welfare production with two 2014 winners demonstrating the successful implementation of previous commitments:

• Sanmenxia Chuying Agri-husbandry Co.
• Beijing Taixinfumin Pig Production Co. Ltd

The scale of production in China is vast – some individual companies have aspirations of producing or processing more pigs than the entire UK pig population (13 million). Compassion therefore believes that now is the time to build relationships with China’s pig producers to ensure that higher welfare production is at the forefront of their minds and to inform them of the criteria behind operating a successful higher welfare production system.
Compassion has worked with ICCAW and local experts in China to develop welfare codes (Farm Animal Welfare Requirements) for pigs, beef cattle and sheep, with the aim of encouraging best practice and improved farm animal welfare. These have filled the gap for animal welfare standards in China and additional welfare codes for broilers and laying hens are currently being developed.
Locally, ICCAW is working hard to set up supply chain connections between producers and retailers of higher welfare pig meat. Recent success has been the signing up of online retailer SFbest.
Dr. Tracey Jones, Director of Food Business at Compassion in World Farming, summarizes the work and aims of the two partners: “Since 2013, our work in China has been intricately linked to our effective partnership with ICCAW and is largely centered on the Good Pig Production Award, which aims to stop the use of sow stalls and to promote the development of higher welfare systems and practices for both sows and meat pigs. To date, nearly 1 million pigs are set to benefit each year through our award winners’ policies.
“While ICCAW works in China to promote the award to producers, administers award applications and oversees expert panel visits to farms for verification, we at Compassion offer expert technical advice and provide opportunities for the Chinese pig producers to visit farms in the UK and attend expert seminars to gain best practice knowledge. Through study tours they accumulate the latest science-based and practical knowledge on pig farming and higher animal welfare production to help cement their own beliefs and encourage them to spread the word in China. It’s a huge job but the scale on which some of these farmers work means that if just one of them adopts and promotes higher welfare pig production it has an enormous impact.”
Good Pig Production Award winners 2015
5 Star Winners

• Heilongjiang Dongnong Sanhua Pig Animal Husbandry & Food Co. Ltd 
• Laiwu Breeder Pig Farm Co. Ltd
• Hainan Dingan Nabowan Animal Husbandry Co. Ltd 
• Yanbian Northeast Local Free-range Pig Development Co. Ltd 

4 Star Winners

• Haerbin Xincheng Yuquanshan Breeding Co. Ltd
• Jiangxi Shuosheng Ecological Agriculture Science & Technology Co. Ltd
• Tongjiang Bashan Ecological Animal Husbandry Science and Technology Co. Ltd

3 Star Winners

• Sanmenxia Chuying Agro-Pastoral Co. Ltd
• Beijing Taixinfumin Pig Production Co. Ltd
• Handan Furun Ecological Animal Husbandry Co. Ltd

2 Star Winners

• Hainan Shengtai Agri-Husbandry Co. Ltd
• Changzhou Fenghua Animal Husbandry Co. Ltd

1 Star Winners

• Tianjing Hengtai Livestock Farming Co. Ltd
• Zhong Dao Animal Husbandry Co. Ltd

Footnote:
^1] FCRN ‘Appetite for change – Social, economic and environmental transformations in China’s food system’ Tara Garnett, Andreas Wilkes - February 2014 http://www.fcrn.org.uk/sites/default/files/fcrn_china_mapping_study_final_pdf_2014.pdf

National Pork Board names first Pig Farmer of the Year

Keith Schoettmer, a pig farmer from Tipton, Indiana, is the recipient of the National Pork Board’s first America’s Pig Farmer of the Year Award. The award is designed to recognize a pig farmer who excels at raising pigs using the We Care ethical principles and connects with today’s consumers about how pork is produced.
“We are pleased to have Keith represent America’s pig farmers, and we look forward to the dialog he will create as he travels around the country,” said Derrick Sleezer, National Pork Board president and pig farmer from Cherokee, Iowa. “It’s important that we connect with today’s consumers about how we raise their food in an ethical and transparent way. Keith’s interest in sharing his farm’s story – and putting a face on today’s pig farming – will help us reach this goal.”
Schoettmer and his wife Darla founded his family farm, Schoettmer Prime Pork, in 1987. They’ve grown the farm steadily over the years with their community’s values in mind and now raise about 22,000 pigs annually with the help of several full-time employees.
“I’m honored to receive this award from the National Pork Board,” said Schoettmer. “I couldn’t do what I do every day without the help of family and employees, so this award signifies a collective recognition of what we do every day on the farm to care for our pigs, our people and the planet.”
Schoettmer was selected as the first winner of America’s Pig Farmer of the Year after passing a third-party audit of on-farm practices and going through a series of written and oral interviews conducted by subject-matter experts. He has achieved excellence in all aspects of pig farming, including animal care, environmental stewardship, employee work environment and outstanding community service.
The panel of expert judges met in early September with the final four finalists. The panel included Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of the American Humane Association; Carlos Saviani, vice president of the World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) U.S. food team; Mitzi Dulan, a registered dietitian and a nationally recognized nutrition and wellness expert to the Kansas City Royals; Chris Soules, a farmer from Arlington, Iowa, and a television star from The Bachelor and Dancing with the Stars; and Dr. Jodi Sterle, an associate professor of animal science at Iowa State University and a nationally known youth advisor in livestock exhibition.
As a judging panel member, Ganzert said, “Today, more than ever, it is important not only to point out where progress is needed, but to recognize when we get it right. The farmers I met with are working to give America’s families food that is safe, affordable, abundant and in line with their values.”
Schoettmer said, “I am proud of the hard work my fellow farmers put into producing safe, high-quality food. I look forward to sharing my personal farm story with consumers to help them understand the care that goes into today’s pork production.”

Judges announced for America's Pig Farmer of the Year Award

Building on its commitment to grow consumer trust in all aspects of U.S. pork production, the National Pork Board has announced an expert judging panel that brings a new, broad-based and transparent approach to selecting its first-ever America’s Pig Farmer of the YearSM.

Members of the five-member panel include Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane Association; Carlos Saviani, vice president of the World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) U.S. food team; Mitzi Dulan, a registered dietitian and nationally recognized nutrition and wellness expert to the Kansas City Royals; Chris Soules, a farmer from Arlington, Iowa, and television star from The Bachelor and Dancing with the Stars; and Dr. Jodi Sterle, an associate professor of animal science at Iowa State University and nationally known youth advisor in livestock exhibition.

“We are very pleased to have such a diverse and impressive group of experts to judge the finalists in the very first America’s Pig Farmer of the Year Award,” said Derrick Sleezer, National Pork Board president and pig farmer from Cherokee, Iowa. “It was important to our farmer leaders that we create a unique judging panel that was not only objective, but brought a whole new level of diversity of views to the table. And with this group, we think we accomplished that goal.”

Looking forward to the finalist judging slated for Sept. 1, Ganzert said, “As an animal lover and the leader of the country’s first national humane organization, I am honored to have been asked to serve as a judge for America’s Pig Farmer of the Year. American Humane Association celebrates all those, including our nation’s farmers, who care for animals and work hard to ensure they are treated humanely. Today, more than ever it is important not only to point out where progress is needed, but to recognize when we get it right. I look forward to learning about these farmers who are working to give America’s families food that is safe, affordable, abundant and in line with their values.”

Joining Ganzert on the judging panel will be WWF’s Saviani, who said, “I’m really excited for the opportunity to participate in this new award and to learn more about how the pork industry and pig farmers are concerned, dealing with and addressing sustainability.”

 The entire expert panel of judges will gather in Chicago to fulfill their duties. They will judge an on-farm video produced at each of the four finalists’ farms and then conduct an in-person interview with each one. The public can view each finalist’s video and cast its vote for its favorite farmer from Sept. 1 through 10 by going to www.americaspigfarmer.com. The final winner will be announced Oct. 7.

Veterinarians urge pig producers to stop using feed with plasma

Hog producers should not feed blood plasma products until there is concrete evidence that there is no connection between feeding plasma products and the spread of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus, veterinarians said during PED virus conference call. The conference call was sponsored by Alberta Pork.
While the Canadian Food Inspection Agency tested a plasma product in February and could not verify a connection between feeding plasma products and PED virus, veterinarians are still urging producers to not take the chance, The Western Producer reported.
"We all know the benefit of blood plasma in starting little pigs under 21 days. It's a high-grade protein. However, at this point in time we have totally lost confidence in this process," said Alberta hog veterinarian Dr. Frank Marshall.
Producers who are in possession of pig feed with plasma should dispose of it, and to not spread it on the fields, said Dr. Lucie Verdon, a veterinarian and national coordinator of the Canadian Swine Health Board.
Marshall added that improperly rendered meat products in feed have the potential to spread some diseases and there could be a link because PED virus can be found in blood cells.

Pig farmers improve animal welfare through science, technology

How are farmers using science and technology to protect the well-being of their pigs and grow healthier food? What's the impact on our food, animal care and the environment?  Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association members attending the organization's annual convention in Minneapolis will get those questions answered on Thursday, February 6, during a panel discussion starting at 9 a.m. and continuing through 12 p.m. at the Hilton Hotel Minneapolis located at 1001 Marquette Ave. South in Minneapolis.
Panel members include:


• Nathan Winkelman, DVM - Swine Services Unlimited Inc., Rice, Minn.
• Adam Mueller, DVM - Swine Services Unlimited Inc., Rice, Minn.
• Rebecca Lindemann - Wakefield Pork, Inc., Gaylord, Minn.
• Amy Woods, DVM - Advanced Veterinary Services, Remington, Ind.
• Don Lay, Ph.D - Livestock Behavior Research, USDA, West Lafayette, Ind.
Titled "Animal Care & Well-Being: What's Best for the Animal" the panel discussion led by Nathan Winkelman, DVM, will highlight how ongoing advancements in agricultural science are helping farmers continuously improve how they care for their animals, raise better food and use fewer natural resources than ever before.

"Farmers who raise pigs have been able to make great progress in animal health, food safety and protecting the environment," said Winkelman. "And farmers know they must always keep learning and working to get better at what they do." Farmers now use 41 percent less water and 78 percent less land to raise pigs than they did 50 years ago.

The panel discussion will also address: optimizing swine well-being; swine diseases; and bridging the gap between small animal and food animal welfare.

Minnesota pork production generates $7.8 billion of economic activity in the state, and provides Minnesota residents with over 22,500 direct and support jobs.

Swine producers share strategies at Purina’s wean-to-finish VIP event

Purina Animal Nutrition hosted its annual Swine VIP event in August in St. Louis, Mo. More than 70 producers, representing over 1.25 million pigs from eight states, attended the meeting to hear the latest research in wean-to-finish swine production.
"The goal of our VIP events is to provide research and information to producers so they can take that information back to their farms and improve efficiencies and profit potential," said Dari Brown, Ph.D., director livestock young animal marketing with Purina Animal Nutrition. "The combination of industry experts and producer conversations helped attendees bring home valuable information from this Swine Wean-to-Finish VIP."
The two-day event included presentations on pig nutrition, facility management, nutrient management and the economics of managing feed efficiency through times of high feed costs. Presentations were provided from Purina Animal Nutrition, AgStar Financial Services, Elanco and DSM Nutritional Products.
A panel discussion gave producers the opportunity to hear from their peers who had tightened market windows by feeding younger pigs correctly, seen the benefits of increasing weaning age, and seen improvements in air quality and pig performance after adding EcoCare feed.
Producers also had the opportunity to see industry-leading research firsthand at the 1,188-acre Purina Animal Nutrition Center in Gray Summit, Mo. Attendees had a chance to tour the 200-sow farrow to finish swine research facility and discussed several of the 35 current swine research trials that are conducted yearly at the farm, many of which are focusing on improving feed efficiency and performance in the nursery and grow/finish stages.
One study of interest is a recent trial with the line of UltraCare feed products and recent enhancements to the product. Feeding trials comparing the original UltraCare feed products to the new UltraCare pig starter feed products show significant benefits in the nursery and growing stages, that demonstrated up to: 15 percent greater early feed intake; 24.3 percent greater early gain; 11.8 percent enhanced early feed efficiency; 4.6 percent improvement in late nursery feed efficiency; and a 2.7 pound greater nursery exit weight at 50 days of age.
Producers in attendance praised the event for its variety of "practical and useful topics," saying that information was "applicable to today's production systems."

Mobile pigsty educating German consumers on pork production

Pigs in a mobile pigsty have been brought to the German town of Mengen by the local farmers association, in an initiative aimed at improving communication with the public about modern pork production methods.
Many German consumers today know almost nothing about the origins of the food they buy in a supermarket, comments the president of the Farmers' Association. People who live in towns do not usually visit pig farms. So the display of pigs is one way of bringing the farm to their town.
The road-show is designed to highlight that pork producers provide the right husbandry and housing for the animals in their care. The mobile house holding the pigs is a highly modern construction fully equipped with feeding and ventilation systems, but placed on a trailer so that it can be towed easily.
It has been devised and realized by Germany's ZDS central association for pig production together with the FNL federal agency for promoting sustainable agriculture. They are making it available for local groups around the country to borrow and bring into town centers.
A nationwide 'Insights' campaign at the same time is compiling of list of pig producers who are prepared to open their farms for visits by schoolchildren as well as by townspeople from the area.

Poultry, pig producers must educate consumers on food production and welfare

Consumer perception is everything and expecting them to have a detailed understanding of animal welfare or expecting them to pay a premium for it when they don't really know where food comes from is too much. This was the message given to pig and poultry producers by supermarket chain Morrisons' head of agriculture David Evans at conference held in the UK recently.
"Changing consumer attitudes is challenging, and if you want to get them to understand, it can only be done with a simple message," he continued.
Attendees at the Pig and Poultry Fair, held in Warwickshire, UK, were further told that pig and poultry producers need to be braver in talking about what happens on their farms if consumers are to be driven to more high-welfare, home-grown food.
National Farmers Union president, Peter Kendall, added: "Animal welfare is all about perception and that's why we need to engage with our customers. Without that discussion, the danger is that UK producers are forced to have higher standards through regulation, but retailers import cheaper foods from elsewhere.
"Animal welfare is a difficult, emotive debate and we need to have an honest discussion if we are going to give consumers a reason to pick British food," he said.

Welfare debated at pig and poultry conference

Pig producers and the wider supply chain are being urged to join the welfare debate after it was identified as the top issue affecting the United Kingdom pig industry in a survey of visitors to previous Pig and Poultry Fair and Pig and Poultry LIVE events.
Developing this opportunity and focusing on the direction that welfare should take in the United Kingdom will be one of the key discussions at this year's Pig and Poultry LIVE at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire, England, May 15, 2013.
The one-day business event is organized by the Royal Agricultural Society of England in partnership with ABN, a British feed manufacture. The event will bring together leading figures in agriculture, retail and animal health and welfare in a challenging debate: "Welfare; Science or Perception, What's our Future?" chaired by Martin Redfearn, Head of Barclays Agriculture.
In an opening address, Ed Garner, Kantar Worldpanel communications director, will present a unique insight into shopper's behavior when it comes to purchasing food products from the pig and poultry sectors. A distinguished panel will then set out their own view of the welfare agenda and debate with delegates how it should shape the future of United Kingdom production.
Speakers Andrea Gavinelli, head of animal welfare at the European Commission and the Royal Agriculture Society head of farm animals, Julia Wrathall will enable producers to engage directly with policy makers, and the scheme that covers 17.8 million layers, 40 million broilers and 2.7million pigs in the United Kingdom. 
Morrison's head of agriculture David Evans will explain its own stance on welfare and how it plans to addresses the issue in the future and National Farmer's Union president Peter Kendall will give his views on and what the next steps for the sectors should be.
Scientific expertise from Sandra Edwards, professor of agriculture at Newcastle University and leading poultry veterinarian Stephen Lister, Crowshall Veterinary Services completes the speaker line up.
"Welfare is on the agenda for the farmer, the consumer and the politician," said Angela Booth, ABN technical development and assurance director.
"Often there is tension between what consumers say they want and what producers think will actually benefit their livestock's welfare. Finding the correct balance in this debate with so many dimensions and perspectives is crucial for our industry."
David Gardner, Royal Agriculture Society chief executive, said pig and poultry producers needed to supply consumers with safe, tasty, affordable food; and collectively the industry must find ways to tackle the related issues.
"We want British producers to succeed in the long term, so finding answers to questions of future policy, competition and costs, and communication with consumers is vital.
"This discussion will help focus the industry's minds on what direction welfare should take in the UK and how it can help deliver on it," he added.
To book your place at this year Pig & Poultry LIVE visit www.pigandpoultry.org.uk.

Pork producer inducted into hall of fame

The late Don Paulson, a pork producer from Bloomington, Minn., was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the National Pork Producers Council for his outstanding contributions to the U.S. pork industry on March 9. The induction came at the council's annual business meeting - the National Pork Industry Forum - held March 8-9 in Orlando, Fla.
One of the pioneers of the industry's grassroots organizing, Paulson developed a vibrant and successful state organization in Minnesota, with an impact that was felt far beyond his home state. He devoted his time and considerable talents to uniting producers and the pork industry for a common cause - increasing demand for pork.
Paulson, who grew up on a diversified farm in south central Minnesota, became a vocational agriculture teacher and a Future Farmers of America adviser. He helped establish the Minnesota Pork Producers Association, served as its first executive director and helped other states establish pork producer organizations, sharing his experience and expertise for the good of the national industry.
As head of the Minnesota association, he oversaw the establishment of county pork producer organizations and the steady growth in membership in them and the state organization. During the years of the voluntary Pork Checkoff, Minnesota under Paulson's leadership, consistently ranked among the top states in producer participation in the program.
"Don was a man of great humility, an energetic and enthusiastic motivator of people and a true champion for the U.S. pork industry," said National Pork Producers Council President Randy Spronk, a pork producer from Edgerton, Minn. "His leadership and mentoring of people for an improved pork industry in Minnesota and around the country was invaluable. The council is pleased to induct him into its Hall of Fame."

Online market for weaner pigs, feeder pigs and facility spaces launches

To help producers better manage pig flow and asset utilization, Value-Added Science & Technologies has launchedePigflow, an online market for weaner pigs, feeder pigs and facility spaces.
ePigflow is designed to will connect all participants in the swine industry to make it simple, transparent and secure to buy and sell weaner or feeder pigs and rent facilities.
“Our traditional approach to buying and selling pigs and identifying facilities is inefficient, out-dated and difficult for producers to navigate. Producers have a limited number of contacts, and so do brokers, and too often there is a lack of transparency that makes it difficult for producers to make informed decisions or fully realize what is available,” says Steve Weiss, president of VAST. “It’s common for producers to contact me for help in buying or selling pigs or locating space and I wanted to create a system that would make it easy for them and protect their interests in a more transparent marketplace.
ePigflow provides four services to help producers manage their pig flow and maximize asset utilization:
1. Spot Market Sales. This allow producers to post and buy weaner and feeder pigs through the ePigflow market, including facilitating all necessary aspects of the buying and selling process.
2. Long-Term Contract Listings. Producers now can post groups of pigs they’d like to sell under a long-term arrangement. ePigflow allows users to post important information like genetics, health status, preferred pricing mechanisms and other terms. Interested parties can contact the sellers directly to get more information and work on a potential agreement.
3. Facility Space Listings. This feature allows users to post available facilities for rent. Users post detailed information about the facility and interested parties can contact them directly for more information and to potentially rent the facilities.
4. Payment Assurance Service. The service facilitates sales between parties by handling the sales transaction, collections and managing the discount sheet settlement process in a streamlined and secure manner.
A feature of all services is an email notification service that notifies interested users of new listings once per day and notifies buyers of competing offers when they are actively pursuing a transaction. The transparency of the site also displays offers that are being made so users can get a feel for market prices.
The service charges transaction fees to the seller, but only when there is a successful sale; buyers pay no fees. There also is support staff available to communicate and work with pig producers.
You can sign-up for a free ePigflow account for access to all the listings, price activity and the ability to post new listings. 

China pig producers discuss scientific advancements at EuroTier Europe-China summit

Chinese pig producers are looking to raise the scientific level of their systems and accelerate production — and they are ready to work with their colleagues in Europe in a joint effort to do this and improve the world-wide industry.
The deputy secretary general of the China Animal Agricultural Association, Gong Guifen, spoke at EuroTier 2012 in Hanover, Germany, on November 12, at the Europe-China Pig Summit. “China is a huge pig producer and consumer, while Europe has state-of-the-art technology and has played a substantial role in the successful development of the global industry," she said. “Together they could achieve great things. So, I hope this meeting provide for a profitable exchange between the two regions.”
Helmut Ehlen, the president of ZDS, the umbrella organization of pig production in Germany, opened the conference, which was organized by the European Pig Producers. “China is important as a producer and an important partner in the international market," said Ehlen. “There is a growing need and demand for meat across the world, with different eating habits leading to new markets, and I am optimistic for the future for pig meat, which already enjoys the lion’s share of the meat market.”
Dr. Mike Varley of the Pig Technology Company, who has been working in south and south east Asia for the past 25 years, said he agreed that the future looked optimistic and that rapid improvements in Asia opened up the door for European and U.S. companies to help Asian producers continue to grow. This included providing:


• Systems that offer better biosecurity
• Technology to improve food safety
• New animal welfare techniques
• Better genetics
• Medication and skills to help the Asian industry combat disease and improve their health status

“There are also export opportunities, especially to China now, but I think in the future they may do it all themselves, so Europeans should get in now to help them build up their industry and pig production companies," said Varley. He also said that Asian pig producers were quick to take up new technology, quick to learn and worked well together. They also saved to invest for the future, which he said was vital to ensure a successful future for the whole pig industry.
EuroTier 2012 will take place November 13–16, in Hanover, Germany.

USDA develops new method to help reduce piglet mortality

To help increase the survival of newborn piglets, U.S. Department of Agriculture scientists have developed a new method that predicts animals' mortality and nursing ability.
Physiologist Jeffrey Vallet and his colleagues at the Agricultural Research Service Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center call the measuring technique the "immunocrit," which determines whether preweaning piglets receive adequate colostrum from the sow. The immunocrit measures newborn piglet serum immunoglobulin in blood samples. These measurements indicate piglets' mortality and nursing ability, according to Vallet, who is also the research leader of the research center’s reproduction unit. Immunocrit results also show that the average measurement of piglets in a litter reflects the sow's ability to produce colostrum.
In addition, scientists have found a connection between immunocrit measurements, piglets' weight and mortality. Pigs that weighed more were more likely to survive the challenge of not getting colostrum within the critical timeframe, as opposed to those that weighed less, said the researchers.
Because test results are obtained so quickly, it is possible to identify compromised piglets while they're still alive, according to Vallet. The immunocrit recognizes piglets within a litter that have not eaten or had the chance to nurse. This provides an opportunity to save at-risk piglets by using intervention strategies.

Pig producers can improve feed conversion to cut costs

Pig producers could save nearly £9 per pig by improving their finishers' feed efficiency by 0.54, according to Matthew Curtis, managing director of Yorkshire-based pig breeding company ACMC Ltd.
The British Pig Executive's Pig Yearbook 2012 shows that while the feed conversion for ‘average’ feeding herds is 2.82, the top 10 percent manage 2.28. “If the figure for the average herds is 2.82, then this means there are many herds below that figure, so there is still plenty of scope for improvement,” said Curtis.
He said that with feed at the £261.83 per metric ton figure quoted in the Yearbook, if a 500-sow herd, producing 22 pigs per sow per year, improved from average to the top 10 percent it would save nearly £99,000 annually in feed costs. In reality, the savings could be much higher as the price of feed has risen substantially — and is likely to continue to rise.
Apart from paying attention to management, housing and nutrition, Curtis said a direct route to improving feed conversion is to use high-quality semen from, ideally, a nominated artificial insemination boar. Not only should these be selected on their estimated breeding value, but they should also be chosen from boars which have a history of selection for feed efficiency — not just growth.
Curtis said that while he acknowledges that pig producers are underpaid for their end product and the industry is working to increase returns, improving feed conversion is something which farmers can actually do themselves.

Pig producers could turn fallen stock into improved returns

A comprehensive report looking at the challenges posed by fallen stock to the British pig industry and other livestock sectors has highlighted opportunities to turn this so-called “waste” into improved returns for producers.
Written by British Pig Executive chairman Stewart Houston under the auspices of the Royal Agricultural College 100 Club’s annual Fellowship scheme and sponsored by PIC and the National Fallen Stock Company, the report says the UK livestock industry could earn up to £40 million by adding value to fallen stock and animal by-products by improving management systems and the quality of the waste. Houston said coordinated action could help turn this waste into an asset that could help improve returns for the entire supply chain. In his report, he said that this is already being done abroad, where Danish pig producers are using on-farm chillers for storing fallen stock to help preserve raw material freshness and, therefore, yield, perhaps as “fifth quarter” products for countries where they are popular. In the U.S., the Fats and Protein Research Foundation is working on finding uses for animal by-products as feed ingredients and biofuels.
“The objective to extract value from fallen stock and animal by-products where they are inevitable runs from the farm through collection, processing and into product quality and design," said Houston. There, his recommendations include the setting up of a joint working party involving the whole livestock industry to establish steps to be taken by individual sectors, by species supply chains and by overall collaborative activity — and then draw up an action plan to explore and implement action to extract all possible value from fallen stock.
Printed copies of the report are available from the Royal Agricultural College, or a copy of the report is available online.

World Pork Expo tours to showcase Midwest agriculture

The National Pork Producers Council has announced three tours for people who want to experience Midwestern agriculture before the World Pork Expo opens in Des Moines, Iowa, on June 6. Pork producers can choose a two-day tour highlighting livestock, crops and agribusinesses, or single-day excursions featuring different agricultural destinations near Des Moines.
“These tours are a perfect way for Expo attendees to fully experience the diversity of agriculture here in the nation’s breadbasket,” said Bryan Humphreys, director of Legislative Education Action Development Resource for the National Pork Producers Council. “Tour participants will have direct access to farm managers and agribusiness experts as they get to know fellow producers. And once the tours are finished, they will enjoy free admission to World Pork Expo.”
The Midwest Agriculture Highlights Tour is a two-day tour on June 4–5 that will take participants to see the locks-and-dams system that enables agricultural products to traverse the Mississippi River to the rest of the world. The group also will visit Cinnamon Ridge Farms, which feature 4,000 acres of corn and soybeans, wean-to-finish swine facilities, a beef operation and a dairy, and the John Deere Pavilion museum.
The one-day tours include a Monday Iowa agriculture tour of food distribution companies, a feed mill and the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University; and a Tuesday Iowa agribusiness tour of Swine Genetic's International's boar reproduction facility and Pioneer Hi-Bred.
To register for any of these tours, all of which include free admission to World Pork Expo, go to www.worldpork.org.
The World Pork Expo takes place June 6–8 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. More than 450 commercial exhibits will be on display from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 6, and Thursday, June 7, as well as from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, June 8. Breeding stock sales will continue on Saturday, June 9, from 8 a.m. until they’re completed (at approximately noon).

PIC enters into supply agreement for Camborough breeders

PIC and Uni-rich Agro Industrial Corp. have entered into a supply agreement for Uni-rich to allocate a 500-sow module for Grandparent stock to produce Camborough 24 parent gilts. The agreement will make more gilts available to PIC customers and support conversion of the 1,000-sow Uni-rich commercial herd to 100 percent PIC genetics, according to the two companies.
“We are delighted about this development with Uni-rich, and we’re honored for the trust that has been given to PIC through the years," said Emmanuel Go, PIC sales and marketing manager. "Having high standards not only in genetics, but also in health and technical services, they have seen a competent partner in PIC that has and will continue to deliver their requirements.” Uni-rich has invested in an automated truck disinfection facility, shower-in shower-out facility, reconstruction of employees’ quarters, and subdivision of the farm into two modules to comply with PIC's health assurance program.

World Pork Expo early registration opens March 15

Early registration for the 2012 World Pork Expo, scheduled for June 6–8 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa, opens on March 15.
The National Pork Producers Council-sponsored event will highlight the industry's latest technologies, offer business seminars and show breeding stock to the expected 20,000 attendees. “The World Pork Expo has become a must-see event for pork producers and allied industry throughout the world,” said Doug Fricke, director of trade show marketing for the National Pork Producers Council. “Interest in this year’s expo is high, with some of the official World Pork Expo hotels already sold out. It’s never too early to make travel plans and register to attend so you don’t miss out on everything World Pork Expo has to offer.”
The expo tradeshow is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 6, and Thursday, June 7, as well as from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, June 8. The breeding stock sales will continue on Saturday, June 9, from 8 a.m. until they’re completed (at approximately noon). By registering in advance, attendees can receive a $10 World Pork Expo early registration discount and free expo alerts via e-mail. Online registration can be completed at www.worldpork.org. 

US September pig meat exports up on Asian demand

U.S. pig meat exports in September were 442 million pounds, more than 37% above September 2010 numbers, due largely to increased demand for U.S. pork products in Asia, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's most recent report.
Exports from Japan and China in particular largely account for the sharp year-over-year increase, according to the report. Third-quarter exports were 1.26 billion pounds, about 33% larger than in the same period in 2010. U.S. companies shipped almost 23% of U.S. commercial pork production to foreign destinations in the third quarter, versus about 18% in the third quarter of 2010, and almost 7% in the third quarter of 2000. The strong year-over-year volume increase, together with export share growth, shows the importance that exports have assumed in aggregate demand for U.S. pork products.
The largest foreign destination for U.S. pork products in September was Japan — which imported 121 million pounds and accounted for 27% of U.S. pork exports. China came in second with more than 82 million pounds, followed by Mexico (81 million pounds) and Canada (50 million pounds). One of the explanatory factors for strong September exports is the continued low-valued exchange rate of the U.S. dollar. In particular, the very favorable U.S. dollar-Japanese yen rate is likely a key factor in strong Japanese demand for U.S. pork.
Fourth-quarter exports are forecast at 1.3 billion pounds, more than 13% higher than fourth-quarter 2010. Total U.S. pork exports for 2012 are expected to increase almost 3%, to 5.1 billion pounds. 

Improving piglet immunity through sow-mediated immunity

Henri Salmon, Inra – France, spoke about the link between pig nutrition, microflora and the host at the Lesaffre symposium held in Lille, France, November 8-9.
According to Salmon, the survival of neonate piglets depends directly on the acquisition of maternal immunity via colostrum then milk, affording respectively systemic and mucosal protection. Yeast has long been known to help intestinal flora recovery after pathogen challenges. The speaker said that concerning yeast, SC boulardii had been first described to decrease diarrhea occurrence in consumers of litchis in Cambodia at the beginning of the 20th century.
The immunity system is compartmentalized: the IgM molecules are very heavy and don’t move fast enough to fight disease, so IgG is the queen of the fight in all the cellules spaces, with an adhesive action on the pathogen (antiseptic immunity) and IgA is a kind of “fly killer paper” as it is placed on the mucus. The pathogen adheres to IgA and, with intestinal peristaltic, is excreted with mucus. Thus, the piglet immunity system uses two different strategies to reduce the occurrence of diarrhea. Before farrowing, the sow concentrates IgG. Through the colostrum, she gives a kind of “bolus” of IgG to the piglets that can be used during the first 36 hours, as the digestive tract is very permeable. Then milk contributes for IgA. Whereas colostral IgG are mainly due to accumulation of blood IgG in the acini of the mammary gland at the end of the pregnancy, milk IgA originates from plasma cells: according to their homing receptors, these cells originate from separate mucosal compartments in the respiratory tract and intestine. Such entero-mammary links may be induced or enhanced by probiotic in the feed. The scientist investigates if feeding some sows with various S cerevisiae strains may increase the IgA in colostrum or/and in milk.
Feeding pregnant sows with S cerevisiae strain CNCM I 3856 at 0.05% increases concentration of IgG in colostrum and IgA in milk. It also decreases the incidence of non-typed E. coli diarrhea in piglets. Higher IgG concentration in the colostrum may be associated with increase of blood IgG translocation (more FcRn) and maintenance of IgA level in the milk might be due to persistence of plasma cells in mammary gland and/or in gut and/or lower decay of plgR (translocation site).
Acidity in the intestinal tractus also influences the IgA: it has been shown that butyrate, for example, is able to activate the transport system of IgA, which, in turn, is an incitation to increase the IgA production. Any action improving the IgA production in the sow has a protective action through the milk in the piglet.
In vitro study had been realized at the same time with the same yeast strain. It modulates epithelial cell responses to F4+ E.coli (ETEC) by decreasing the expression of pro-inflammatory transcripts. At the same time, there was a decrease in the mitogen-activated protein kinases ERK ½ and p38 phosphorylation. S. Cerevisiae regulates mRNA levels of the anti-inflammatory PPAR-gamma nuclear receptor, the IL-12p35 cytokine and the CCL25 chemokine involved in gut mucosal immunity.
Salmon concluded that S. cerevisiae strain CNCM I 3856 exhibits various probiotic properties enhancing the sow mediated immunity, probably by intervening at several complementary levels, the resident microflora of the gut and the gut epithelial cells.