Control your costs with FWi at the Pig & Poultry Fair

By Peter Crichton

MANY of the concerns facing the industry are likely to be discussed at this years Pig and Poultry Fair next month (12-13 May).

Standholders reported slack business last year and there are fears that most order books will be slimmer still this year.

The level of interest in equipment and other services at the Fair is a ready barometer of the strength of the industry.

An ominous pointer to what lay ahead was that one of the few firms who had a bust stand were Rowlands Equipment, who were showing their new carcass mincing machine.

However, one exhibit that should attract plenty of visitors is the Farmers Weekly/FWi stand (No 176). A pig cost-control clinic is being run in conjunction with farm consultants Andersons to see how unit returns can be improved in this critical period.

Visitors will also be able to see live demonstrations of all the facilities FWi can offer to online pig farmers and how this can assist their business.

Another sign at the fair of the overall financial weakness of the pig sector is the notable absence of Dalgety, a major feed compounder.

They have put this down to “cost savings” in a difficult year. With most large feed compounders chasing a shrinking market with wafer-thin margins and stretched credit terms it should come as no surprise if we see feed sector casualties in the year ahead.

Further Pig & Poultry Fair details: