US pork production expected to drop in 2013

U.S. hog producers' September–November farrowing intentions have been lowered to 2.85 million, almost 2.7 percent lower than in 2011, and the December–February 2013 farrowing intentions are estimated at 2.821 million, 1.5 percent lower than in 2012, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's latest report. Both of these revisions reflect the intention of hog farmers to slightly scale back production.
This reduction in farrowings and breeding stock reflects what most observers have identified already: the effects of the summer 2012 drought on the U.S. feed crop have led to farmers’ intentions to reduce hog production in 2013 and thus to require fewer farrowings. While 2013 feeding margins have recovered somewhat since September, margins still remain narrow relative to expectations earlier in 2012, according to the USDA. Hog farmers have thus decided to farrow fewer sows in 2013 than in 2012.
While the number of pigs per litter is expected to continue to grow in 2013, the reduction in farrowings will more than offset the efficiency gains in sow litters, and the 2013 pig crop is expected to be lower than the 2012 pig crop. Commercial pork production is expected to be almost 23 billion pounds, which is still 1.3 percent below the annual production level in 2012. This increase is expected despite downward revisions of live hog imports in 2013.

Farrowing welfare to be showcased at EuroTier 2012

Welfare will be at the center of attention in the BFL/DLG special “Wellness in farrowing units,” showcased at EuroTier 2012.
This will present an opportunity to explore innovations in farrowing housing equipment. In addition to the latest developments in conventional housing, flooring and climate systems, farrowing units with various possibilities of free range for sows will also be presented. A floor area of 540 square meters will showcase various types of housing that allow sows more movement, as well as floor design, feeding equipment and climate control, as well as hygiene and health management of sows and piglets. Also, experts on sow and piglet husbandry will be available to assist visitors and promote the exchange of information.
In addition, the EuroTier Pig Forum, held in Hall 12, B57, has a daily program which covers all aspects of pig husbandry, nutrition, health and hygiene plus the special sessions on “Wellness in the farrowing house.” These sessions are accompanied by simultaneous translation (German/English).
EuroTier will take place November 13–16, in Hanover, Germany.

UK pig producers examine welfare issues

The UK’s Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) is seeking pig producers to take part in an eight-month project looking into practices around tail docking and indoor free farrowing.
The Free Tails project, funded by the Tubney Charitable Trust, aims to help farmers, researchers and retailers share information about current practice in non-confining free indoor farrowing and reducing tail docking without increasing the incidence of tail biting.
It will gather information relating to these two aspects of pig production and distribute this knowledge to a wider audience, with the ultimate aim of improving pig welfare.
National health scheme
Regional agencies in England have agreed to work together on a national approach to promote pig health and disease mitigation. The British Pig Executive (BPEX) is now working on a proposal for a co-ordinated national health improvement project, building on current projects that are already up-and-running in Yorkshire the east of England.

Spanish pig farmers call for delay in welfare rules

Pig producers in Spain's Catalunya region have called for a delay to the implementation of new animal welfare rules, due to be introduced by the European Union on January 1, 2013.
The new welfare rules will see gestation stalls banned and will require sows to be group housed at a minimum from week four post-service until day seven pre-farrow, but Spain’s farmers say that with their current financial difficulties, compliance with the new measures would make pig production unviable.

Farrowing alternatives still years away

An acceptable alternative to the current conventional farrowing crate that is both welfare-friendly and economically viable is still "at least 10 years away," according to Andrew Knowles, head of communications at the British Pig Executive (BPEX). He told a meeting in the UK that progress in developing possible alternatives remained slow, despite what he described as "positive efforts" at the research level in the UK and Denmark aimed at devising a new system.
Knowles also said he doubted whether the UK government would impose any changes to farrowing housing on the British pig industry ahead of the rest of the European Union – unlike what happened with gestation accommodation, where the then British administration insisted on a national switch to group penning some years before the EU banned sow stalls.