Dennis Bridgeford
Dennis Bridgeford
Dennis Bridgeford farms
50ha (125 acres) about
40 miles north of Inverness.
The farm comprises of a
480-sow indoor unit
producing 95kg pigs for one
outlet and 85kg pigs for a
more local abattoir. A further
320 sows are run outdoors,
with progeny sold at 7kg.
Dennis Bridgeford farms
50ha (125 acres) about
40 miles north of Inverness.
The farm comprises of a
480-sow indoor unit
producing 95kg pigs for one
outlet and 85kg pigs for a
more local abattoir. A further
320 sows are run outdoors,
with progeny sold at 7kg.
FEBRUARY was the month of machinery problems, and March the month of staff problems. We have enjoyed a settled work force for a number of years, but in the space of two weeks two members of our indoor staff left for the oil-rig construction industry. The problem is they both quit without giving any notice, which has left us short staffed. It is ironic that if we were to terminate someones employment with no notice we would be dragged through the courts, but if the boot is on the other foot we are almost powerless.
We managed to employ one experienced person and one with some farming background, but in an area of low pig numbers there isnt a pool of trained labour.
The indoor unit is experiencing a shortage of farrowing accommodation. I suspect the influence of our new service house has had some bearing on this. We now mix sows before serving rather than after. So far it seems the number holding to first service has improved, but we will put some figures to it when we have a full year through the system. However, it is noticeable how many sows are actually on season on the day after weaning.
One drawback of totally straw-based sow accommodation is the increase of sows with one or two of their teats not drying up properly after weaning. Is this caused by the amount of straw they eat or a bacteria from the straw? We never had a problem weaning on to stalls and slats.
We have managed to get last months weaned pig problems sorted out. We now put cube drinkers in when we wean them. The water intake over the first four days is tremendous. Wet feeding at weaning is still obviously not ensuring enough water intake, and any pig slow going to the nipple drinkers is slow to go to the wet feed. I have no doubt that wet feeding of newly weaned pigs is the way forward but if you get it wrong the results can be disastrous.
With the perilous state of farming, I decided to attend the Scottish NFU annual general meeting. The Scottish farming minister spoke well, but made it clear that there would be no quick fix. Mind you, the pig industry has had to stand on its own feet for years.
I was disappointed that the members did not elect our local delegate to the office of president, when you consider that the eventual president is only going to be there for one year and stand for the new Scottish Parliament. It will take far more than a year to get into the job, and we go through the changes at the top again. Not perfect for an organisation or industry going through difficult times. *