Productivity boosts pig production

UK clean pig slaughterings increased by almost 2% in February compared with the same month last year, rising to 783,000 head.

“This suggests there have been further improvements in sow productivity, particularly given the decline in the breeding herd,” said a report by BPEX. “Good growing conditions during the autumn and early winter were probably also a factor.”

Carcass weights reached record levels for the second consecutive month, averaging 79.83kg, more than 0.5kg up on last year. As a result, UK pig meat production increased by 3%, to 65,500t.

Adult pig throughputs rose by around 6% on the year, to 20,200 head, with higher cull sow prices boosting herd replacement rates, said the report. “However, with producers still losing money, some may still be reducing their herd size.”

Pig prices improved before Easter, with the EU-DAPP reaching 157.6p/kg in the week to 23 March – 15.2p above the same time last year. Weaner values rose to their highest levels since August 2010, at £48.29 in the week to 30 March, but while cull sow prices improved to 68.2p/kg lw in the week to 2 April, they were still 6.4p/kg lower than at this time last year.

Market report