Ireland launches US$19 million pig, poultry scheme

Ireland Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, has announced the opening of a new EUR17 million (US$19 million) scheme for pig and poultry investments.
Speaking on August 13, Coveney said, “I am delighted to launch the new Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme. This investment … reflects my department’s ongoing commitment to the growth potential of this important sector and to the modernization of farming in Ireland. I hope that pig and poultry farmers will look very seriously at the opportunities offered by this new scheme.”
A total of EUR395 million (US$441 million) has been made available for TAMS II schemes over the course of the RDP period, with some EUR17 million earmarked for the pig and poultry sector.  The new scheme is being co-funded by the European Union.
The areas of investment available include:  medicine dispenser units, water meters, solar panels, heat recovery units/heat pumps, energy efficient boilers, feed system upgrades (for medication reduction and energy efficiency), energy efficient upgrade for farrowing house, weaner housing, fattener housing, poultry houses and disease reduction facilities for existing poultry houses.
The scheme is open to all farmers who meet the eligibility criteria, offering a standard rate of 40 percent on investment up to a ceiling of EUR80,000 (US$89,240). The first tranche of applications will run for three months, closing around the end of October.
All applications must be made online, either by the farmer or an adviser authorized to act on his or her behalf.  Applications can be made under agfood.ie by registered users of the department’s website

Bord Bia upbeat about Irish pig market conditions

• 

  Andrea Gantz

  Bord Bia spokeman Peter Duggan is upbeat about the direction producer pig prices in Ireland are going.

  From WATTAgNet:
  Strengthening European pig prices may help to stabilize farm gate returns in Ireland, according to Bord Bia pigmeat manager Peter Duggan.
  “Producer pig prices have started to increase in Germany over the past number of weeks,” he said.
  “And this is a reflection of the fact that supplies are starting to tighten in that country. The June 2014 census confirmed a 1 percent increase in the German breeding herd. However, the comparable figure for November indicated that sow numbers had stabilized. This would indicate that EU pig farmers are starting to destock, which should move the overall supply-demand equation more firmly in the direction of stronger market conditions.”
  Duggan said that the continuing growth in pork export sales to China and other Asian countries, particularly Japan, is further good news for the pig industry and pig prices in Ireland.
  Russian ban could end without warning
  The Bord Bia representative surmised that Russia’s ban on EU food imports could end without warning, which could also affect pig prices in Ireland.
  “This remains a very complex issue. There was speculation some weeks back that individual countries, including France and Germany, were prepared to sort out their own trade deals with Moscow.
  “But this came to nothing. Overarching the trade embargo issue is Russia’s refusal to accept EU pork imports on swine fever grounds. However, efforts are being made to have this issue addressed on a regional issue. Ireland, for example, is free of the disease.”

DNA testing shows pork claimed to be Irish may be from elsewhere

• 

  Freeimages.com/morderska

  Not all pork sold under claims it is Irish is really of Irish origin, according to recent DNA testing.

  From WATTAgNet:
  Nearly one third of DNA samples of pork tested in butcher shops around Ireland showed the samples were not really Irish pork, despite being sold as Irish pork.
  Irish Farmers’ Association National Pigs and Pigmeat Committee Chairman Pat O’Flaherty said the latest DNA results proved that the misleading of consumers remains a serious issue.
  “Previous DNA testing of pig meat in Irish butchers revealed that over 50 percent of the products sampled from across the butchers was not assigned to the Irish boar database. In December, we again tested butchers (independent and retail) in Wexford, Galway, Cork and Cavan to ascertain their levels of Irish product. Of the 91 products samples, 26 (29 percent) were not assigned to the database. Of the 26 non-Irish products, 25 originated in independent butchers' shops,” said O’Flaherty.
  “Another major cause for concern is that fact that there were a number of stores stocking imported loin chops. Of the 26 products that were not Irish, 40 percent were loin chops and 44 percent were back rashers. We are horrified that fresh pork is being imported into this country. This is a new development and one which the consumer would never expect.”
  O’Flaherty said through its traceability program, IFA representatives asked butchers in every store it visited if the pig meat was Irish, but “not one butcher admitted that the products were imported.”
  The IFA National Pigs and Pigmeat Committee is now meeting with the butchers, particularly those that showed least support for Irish farmers in an effort to increase transparency.
  “IFA wants to support local businesses. We appreciate that the local butcher is under pressure, however that is not an excuse to mislead the consumer on the origin of their meat,” O’Flaherty concluded.

Irish pig industry agrees to PEDv prevention measures

Ireland’s National Pig Health Council (NPHC) has adopted a list of measures to limit the risk of the entry of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus into the country. The measures were adopted following a recent NPHC meeting.
According to National Pig Health Council Chairman Pat Kirwan, the PED virus prevention measures include: 


• An initial three-month voluntary ban on the importation of live pigs or semen, including for shows and specialist breeds
• An initial three-month ban on the export of live pigs for slaughter to infected countries
• An initial three-month voluntary ban on the sale of plasma protein/blood plasma products or products containing these substances.
• A recommendation that all staff returning to work after the Christmas break must prove that they have been back in the country for at least three days. These staff should also be provided with new clothing and foot ware.
• Biosecurity on farms and feed mills to be increased.
The prevention plan follows the news that PED virus has entered Europe.
“Porcine epidemic diarrhea caused enormous losses on farms in America, Canada and Mexico in 2014 killing millions of pigs and leaving farm families devastated,” said Irish Farmers’ Association Pigs Committee Chairman Pat O’Flaherty. “The disease has now been confirmed in the EU and it is spreading fast in the cold weather. Although the disease carried no public health importance, should it enter Irish farms, our industry will be completely decimated.
“Although the industry is taking a proactive stance in terms of trying to protect itself, we are very reliant on the government taking an active role in this also. We are calling on [Ireland's Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine] to set up a rapid response unit and to put a contingency plan in place that can be followed in the event of an outbreak. There are 10,000 jobs and one billion Euros worth of an industry dependent on it.”

Northern Ireland pig herd expansion reflected in census

According to the latest figures published by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) in Northern Ireland, total pig numbers for the European country increased by 9 percent in June when compared with June, 2013. The 525,600 head of Northern Ireland pigs in June, compared to 480,000 head during the same month in 2013, shows a direct result of more fattening pigs due to improved productivity combined with increased imports from neighboring Ireland.
DARD also reported that there was a 10 percent year-on-year increase in the ‘other pigs’ category which includes piglets, weaners, and finishers. The pig population in this category rose from 432,000 to 476,000 over the span of 12 months.
At 43,900 head, the total female breeding herd in Northern Ireland expanded by 3 percent when compared with June 2013. The slower expansion in the breeding herd relative to the total pig numbers confirms that there has been some improvement in productivity. While the latest figures suggest a notable expansion in the Northern Ireland herd, gilts not yet in pig recorded a 1 percent decline when compared with the same period a year earlier, which could limit growth going forward, according to a report from the British Pig Executive (BPEX).

Irish pork exports up 15 percent in 2014

Irish pork exports in the first half of 2014 totaled 71,400 metric tons, a 15 percent increase from the same six months of 2013. It is also the highest six-month figure the Irish pork industry has recorded since 1997.
Irish pork exports are primarily destined for the European Union market, accounting for around 60 percent of total trade, according to a report from the British Pig Executive (BPEX). The UK is the key market for Irish pork exports and trade increased by 5 percent year over year. Exports of processed pig meat products to the UK also increased. Similarly, there was a strong growth in exports shipped to Denmark, likely for re-export. However volumes supplied to Germany came down by 15 percent.
Irish pork also gained ground in Asian markets, as pork volumes exported to Japan rose from around 1,000 metric tons to 6,500 metric tons. Similar growth rates were reported for Irish pork exports to South Korea and the Philippines. China, Ireland’s leading non-EU market for pork, imported 7 percent more pork from Ireland.
Ireland, however, exported less pork to Russia in the first half of 2014 than it did during the first six months of 2013. Supplies to Russia fell from 8,600 metric tons to 1,300 metric tons. Russia has since implemented a ban on agricultural products from Ireland for political reasons.

Pig breeding herd expanding in Northern Ireland

The December 2013 pig census figures published by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development indicate a 1 percent year-on-year increase in total pig numbers in Northern Ireland, to 455,300 head. The increase was largely a result of a notable 10 percent rise in the female breeding herd, of which sows in-pig rose by 21 percent while in-pig gilts fell by 5 percent on the year.
However, according to a report from BPEX, a change in methodology for the June survey was behind an increase in the figures for the Northern Ireland breeding pig population, indicating it is possible that this may be the case again. In addition, maiden gilt numbers also increased by 31 percent when compared with December 2012. This could indicate some improving producer confidence.
In contrast, numbers recorded in the 'other pigs' category, which includes piglets, weaners and finishers, remained mostly unchanged.

New pig research center for Ireland

Ireland's agriculture and food development authority Teagasc has emphasized its commitment to the Irish pork sector by allocating almost EUR3 million of funding to construct a modern state-of-the-art pig research center incorporating a food testing section.
No comparable center exists in Ireland and few facilities of a similar type have been started in Europe in recent times, a Teagasc farmers' conference was told by the head of the authority's pig development department, Ciarán Carroll.
The new centre will enable Teagasc to conduct research on various aspects of pork production as an essential component of a program that brings together investigation, knowledge transfer and training functions on producing pigs, connected to the evaluation of the health benefits of functional foods.

Ireland extends deadline to complete work under sow welfare scheme

The deadline for completion of work under the TAMS Sow Welfare Scheme has been extended from the end of September to February 28, 2014, Ireland Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney TD announced. The minister indicated that he was aware that a small group of farmers had been unable to complete the investment works concerned by the September deadline, therefore he decided to extend the deadline.
All farmers who intend to claim grant-aid under the Scheme must now complete the works and lodge a final payment claim with his department by that February 28, 2014.   The same final deadline will also be applicable to any farmers still completing work under the 2005 and 2007 Sow Welfare Schemes operated by Coveney's department.
Coveney reiterated that this final extension for completion of work under the scheme is not an extension of the deadline for compliance with sow welfare legislation. He also reminded farmers that it is an offense to keep pigs in non-compliant housing after January 1, 2013.

Irish pig farmers embracing sustainable agriculture

To promote sustainable agriculture in Europe, Truly Irish Country Foods established a €1.68 million EU funded group, Thrive Rite. Pig producers are enduring enormous challenges in the form of rising feed costs. Legislation also has increased with tighter restrictions on reduced antibiotic use. Thrive Rite hopes to find the solution.
Key Members include: Michael McAuliffe, CEO, Truly Irish Country Foods Ltd, Prof. John O’Doherty, University College Dublin, John T. O’Sullivan, BioAtlantis Ltd, John McKillen, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, Clasado Ingredients Ltd, Malta, Drobex-Agro, Poland and University of Technology and life Sciences, Bydgoszcz, Poland will together tackle the fundamental problems facing agriculture in the EU today.
It is expected that the project will yield the following results in two years:
• Increased productivity
• Reduced level of pathogenic bacteria
• Increased daily live weight gain
• Improved F.C.E
• Improved health status in the form of a protective shield
• Improved digestive system so that the pig is overall healthier and can strive on different diets
• More focus on dietary requirements of the pig rather than what we presume it to be.
The unique feature of these benefits is that they are derived from natural bioactives. It will make producers rethink how they feed their pigs which will be different to normal current pig production.
This research and trials will be carried out in conjunction with University College Dublin. 

Irish pig farms facing PRRS outbreak

Ireland’s largest producer of pig semen is investigating how porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infected its boars, where the air entering the facility is filtered. As a precaution, pig semen is now being imported from Britain. 
Hermitage Genetics in Kilkenny, confirmed that three of its boars were found to have PRRSV. The disease was detected in the pigs at its quarantined artificial insemination station in Callan following testing. It is the first time blue ear has been found in the Hermitage’s pigs. Some commercial pig farms are implicated too.

Irish pig herd down 4 percent

Ireland’s pig herd declined 4 percent in December 2012 to 1.49 million compared to the previous year in both breeding herd and pigs for slaughter, according to the Central Statistics Office.
The breeding herd is down 2 percent as Irish pig producers are struggling to implement the new EU regulations covering the sow stall ban at a time when profitability has been under pressure. Sows in pigs were notably lower by as much as 7 percent and only partly offset by the 14 percent increase in gilts.
The decline in other pigs in December 2012 has already reduced slaughtering levels in early 2013. This seems likely to continue especially given the significant 9 percent drop in the number of piglets and the 11 percent reduction in the number of slaughter pigs weighing between 50kg and 80kg.

New manure arrangements for Republic of Ireland’s poultry, pig producers

Poultry and pig producers in the Republic of Ireland have agreed to a new approach for the control and management of manure from Integrated Pollution Control licensed installations following discussions with the country’s Environmental Protection Agency.
The agreement should deliver an improved service to these operators by reducing the administrative burden and avoiding any potential duplication of effort, while ensuring continued protection of the environment and retaining effective control of use of such fertilizer. The control and management of organic fertilizers from licensed poultry and pig units is subject to controls under various EU directives and was therefore subject to controls from the Environment Protection Agency and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The new agreement will see the department conducting the required checks on the use of poultry or pig manure and providing necessary reports to the agency.
“This agreement will significantly assist the industry and make the transfer of pig and poultry manure to both new users and existing farms much easier," said Simon Coveney, minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. "It will also help towards achieving compliance with the transitional arrangement put in place for the industry as part of the Review of Ireland’s Nitrates Action Program.” 

Irish welfare aid restored to pig, poultry producers

Ireland’s minister of agriculture has announced the re-opening of a grant aid scheme run by the Irish government to encourage investment by pig and poultry producers.
The Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme had been suspended earlier in 2011 because of the uncertain budgetary situation in Ireland. The government will make funds available for grant aid to be offered in 2012 towards projects on farms to improve poultry and pig welfare as well as for bioenergy and job creation. Among the applications of TAMS previously had been financial help where pig units needed to change the accommodation of their sows in gestation towards a loose housing arrangement in line with imminent European Union animal welfare requirements.  

Irish pig producers losing millions

Irish pig producers are losing up to €13 (US$18.05) a pig or almost €900,000 million a week, according to reports on the Irish TV news website RTÉ.
RTÉ reported that the average pig costs around €126 to produce, but only sells for around €116.
The chairman of the Irish Farmers’ Association pigs committee, Tim Cullinan, has warned that jobs are on the line unless prices improve, while the Irish food promotional body, Bord Bia, has launched a campaign to promote sales of home-produced bacon and ham under the slogan "Bring Home the Bacon".