Performance improves yet again on benchmarked pig units

‘Three in a row’ – this is how many years performance has improved on benchmarked pig units in Northern Ireland.  The latest benchmarking figures show that pig producers have ‘stood up to the mark’ yet again, with further improvements achieved in herd performance.

The most significant improvement over the last three years has been the increase in pigs produced per sow per year.  The 1.4 increase means the average benchmarked unit is now producing 21.2 pigs per sow per year.  Based on 13,000 sows benchmarked per year the increase has resulted in an extra 18,200 pigs produced per year on NI benchmarked units.  The top benchmarker produced 25.39 pigs per sow per year – an excellent achievement!  Equally commendable the top 25 percent produced 24.1 pigs showing that producers in NI can compete with the best in Europe.  Reasons for the increase include continued commitment by producers, increased use of damline genetics, improved service management and investment in new housing, especially service and farrowing accommodation.

For the third year in a row the benchmarking figures show an increase in pigmeat produced per sow per year.  The 130 KG increase per sow over the last three years means that the average benchmarked unit is now producing 1672 KG of pigmeat per sow per year. Last year only one benchmarker reached the magic figure of 2t of pigmeat per sow.  This year three benchmarkers produced over 2t of pigmeat, with the top benchmarker producing almost 2.1t.

Carcase weight over the last three years has remained between 78 and 80 KG.  For the latest set of figures the average weight is 78.9 KG, a 0.6 KG increase from the previous year.  Despite little change in average carcase weight the spread in carcase weight is much greater, ranging from a low of 69.1 KG to a high of 86.4 KG. This is an area perhaps individual producers need to monitor on their own units.

The average amount of feed used per pig on benchmarked units is 299 KG (carcase weight 78.9 KG).  This is made up of 61 KG of sow feed, 5 KG creep, 9 KG of link, 60 KG grower and 164KG of finisher.  It is encouraging to note that over the last three years less of the more expensive creep and link are being fed.  Benchmarkers are now feeding 1KG less creep and 3KG less link per pig than three years ago.

NI pig producers have been using CAFRE benchmarking for the past ten years to calculate, compare and improve performance.  One such producer is Robert Henderson from Kilkeel.  ‘Benchmarking has helped me improve the performance of my unit’ says Robert  ‘It lets me see areas that I need to improve and since I started to benchmark pigs produced per sow per year and kilogrammes of pigmeat on my farm have improved’.

If you are interested in benchmarking the performance of your pig unit please contact Liz Donnelly (02894426767) or Mark Hawe (02894426768) at Greenmount Campus.

Liz  Donnelly