Depop/repop strategy limits high feed cost risk

High feed costs could add to the argument to depopulate and restock pig units to improve production, suggested Glenn Dams, JSR Genetics’ managing director.

While improvements in health should be the main objective a depopulation/repopulation creates an eight-week window in production systems limiting exposure to high wheat prices and, therefore, feed costs.

“We currently have one unit undergoing a depop and plans for two others. JSR is working towards releasing a guide for producers looking at the practical and financial implications,” he told Farmers Weekly.

Although sexed semen and non-surgical embryo transfer research failed to deliver for today’s pig sector, producers shouldn’t confine them to history. Graham Plastow, genome director at Canada’s University of Alberta, said timing of research was critical. “The economic factors may not be right, but should ET costs come down or an improvement in sexing pig semen occur the impact for producers could be significant, he said.

Use of CT scanning has allowed pig breeder JSR Genetics to marry up specific bloodlines to pig processors to improve efficiency in the meat chain. Uniform muscle depth and bone length are just two parameters that take cost out of processing and packaging, explained Grant Walling, JSR’s director of research and development. But timing was key. Some technologies were still awaiting uptake by consumers such as Omega 3-enhanced pork.

A shift in the attitude to managing staff and developing skills in the work place is needed if UK agriculture was to meet the challenge of a potential skill shortage. Wynne Jones, principal of Harper Adams University College, said changes – possibly a professional body for farming like RICS for rural surveyors – may benefit the sector: “It’s leadership versus managing – leaders empower, managers control. There is a tremendous work ethic among young people in the sector, but we must ensure they stay with us.”