Pigs Notes May 2010

If your unit is quality assured you recently received a copy of new Quality Assurance Standards for pigs.  These standards, which are now known as the Red Tractor Pig Standards, came into force on 1 April 2010.  There are a few changes to the standards and it is important that you are aware of them.  Some of the main changes are as follows:-

On many units producers use chains as environmental enrichment.  However, the standards now state that chains alone are not acceptable.  This means that if you only have chains hanging in pens you will have to provide some other form of enrichment along with the chains. However, chains with objects attached to them, for example, wood or alkathene pipe are acceptable.

Environmental enrichment for pigs

The new standards also state that tyres containing metal or wire are not allowed.

Choose environmental enrichment objects that are safe, can be suspended and are malleable

The standards state that pigs must have adequate access to a supply of fresh, clean drinking water.  Under the old standards wet fed units were able to use the wet feeding system to provide pigs with water. However, this is now not allowed and all wet fed pigs must have access to a separate drinker.  A minimum of one drinker or bowl per pen is required.

A new requirement of the standards is if your sows show signs of shoulder sores you must investigate the cause. You also have to draw up an action plan in consultation with your vet detailing how you plan to deal with the shoulder sores.

During May two events are being held which will be of interest to all pig producers.  The first is the Pig and Poultry Fair which takes place on 11 and 12 May at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.  With over 250 pig and poultry exhibits this is an excellent opportunity to see a range of products under one roof.  In addition to trade exhibits there will be a number of workshops on pig health, commodity prices, anaerobic digestion and future developments in feed.  Adam Henson from BBC’s Countryfile will also chair a debate on ‘Can we get consumers to buy more British?’  If you are interested in going to the Fair you can find more information at www.pigandpoultryfair.org.uk.

This year’s annual Pig Health Symposium takes place on 18 May in the Tullamore Court Hotel.  The title of the event is ‘Profit through Health’.  As the title suggests it will focus on maximising unit profitability by closely managing health status.  Topics up for discussion include Salmonella, economics of destocking / restocking and increasing pigs weaned per litter.  There will also be numerous trade stands where you can view the latest developments in pig products and equipment.  Doors open at 10.00 am.

Did you know that for the first quarter of 2010 the average carcase weight of pigs slaughtered in NI factories was 83.1 kg?  The average P₂ was 11.8mm, the weight variation 7.85 and probe variation 2.52.