Pig Welfare and Costs of Production Lecture

Pig Welfare and Costs of Production NES 1002 Simon Parker Objectives To discuss the impact of Welfare on Economics of Production To Discuss whether Welfare and Economics are opposing objectives To identify how production UK production systems differ from those outs...

Pig Welfare and Costs of Production NES 1002 Simon Parker Objectives To discuss the impact of Welfare on Economics of Production To Discuss whether Welfare and Economics are opposing objectives To identify how production UK production systems differ from those outside the UK Pork market in 2023: the infogra phics Comparative Analysis The ‘UK pig sector’ often cites the fact that “the welfare standards in the UK are higher and therefore more costly; we cannot compete with our EU neighbours because they either have different rules, or they ignore the EU rules that are applicable to all”. The Netherlands and more especially Denmark (Danish Bacon..) are cited as the closest competitors, responsible for the reduction in margins in the UK. EU Pig producer Comparison - Numbers UK Denmark Total Pig Holdings: 11,300 Total Pig Holdings: 3,861 Breeding Sow Holdings: Breeding Sow Holdings: 6000 672 Total breeding Herd Total breeding Herd (Head): (head): 407,000 782,000 EU Pig producer Comparison - Buildings UK Denmark Producers must comply with Strict environmental DEFRA and “Red Tractor” legislation to reduce standards. ammonia and odour Ammonia and Odour Majority part slatted or legislation to be introduced drained floor systems Majority straw based < 10% Outdoor bred pigs systems 40% Outdoor bred pigs EU Pig producer Comparison - Markets UK Denmark Majority of producers fulfil “Danish Crown” and “Tonnies” are main farmer led co- “finishing contracts” with operatives operating in different suppliers and Denmark. 90 % of Danish Pork specifications production is through these 2 co-operatives. 8.1 million pigs finished to 28 Million pigs finished to slaughter in 2023 slaughter (2015 last published data available) ~ 11 Million weaners exported to EU states (Mainly Poland & Germany) in 2015 EU Pig producer Comparison - Genetics UK Denmark Majority breeding Sows Majority of Breeding Sows are Landrace / Large are “Danbred” white / Duroc hybrid Focus is on: Focus is on: Feed conversion ratio (FCR) Fat levels Daily live weight gain (DLG) Lean meat percent Lean meat percentage Feed conversion ratio (FCR) Daily live weight Gain (DLG)  EU Pig producer Comparison - Nutrition UK Denmark Improving efficiency of DanBred genetics mean nutrient use producers are forced to Feeding sows during continually address nutritional requirements lactation is focus area to achieve best results Current ABN research from the breed genetics priorities Improving piglet viability All phases of feeding are Transition feeding key focus – targeted diets Relationship between to support the gilt and nutrient level and sow through the breeding performance response cycle  EU Pig producer Comparison - KPI UK Denmark Average pigs born alive per sow: 29 Average pigs born alive per sow: 35.3 Average pig born alive per litter: 12.65 Average pig born alive per litter: 15.6 Average pigs weaned per litter: 11.22 Average pigs weaned per litter: 13.4 Average Litters per sow per year: 2.29 Average Litters per sow per year: Average pigs weaned/sow/year: 25.71 2.26 Average weaned piglet weight : 7.25kg Average pigs weaned/sow/year: 30.6 Average weaned piglet weight : 6.9kg EU Pig producer Comparison – Cost of Prod’n UK Denmark £1-35 per Kg Dead weight £1-19 per Kg Dead weight 58% of which is feed cost 59% of which is feed cost “The 5 freedoms” are applied by DEFRA as base: a suitable environment (housed in a suitable environment) a suitable diet (feed and drink availability and nutritional content) the ability to exhibit normal behaviour patterns – to forage, socialise etc. any need it has to be housed with, or apart from, other animals protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease  Higher welfare indoor systems Pigs are kept in groups on solid floors with straw or other material for bedding and rooting. Although there is no access to the outdoors, there is greater opportunity for “Natural Behaviour”: Free movement within the pen or shed, Less crowding, Less conflict, Less boredom and Reduced tail-biting. Deep bedded systems allow foraging and comfort. Sows may still farrow in crates, in some systems they farrow in huts or pens.  “Lower Cost” systems may include Slatted floors Slats are used extensively to reduce the need to clear away waste. Waste is pushed through the slats by pigs walking a lying and collected in a midden under the stock The midden is emptied using a slurry tanker periodically Pigs remain in an environment in which their waste is immediately below them, some suggestions that this is “fermenting” and producing noxious gasses in addition to odour Potentially harmful effects on the pigs (and the building) http://modernfarmer.com/2014/03/little-progress-mystery-exploding-pig-poop/ “Higher Welfare” Systems a permit Pigs to demonstrate “natural behaviours” Housing: Deep litter: Straw, Peanut Shells. (see BB for evidence) Outdoors (“Pigloos”) Soil is used as most natural resource, rings in pigs noses prevent their natural behaviour Items to play with – “Enriched Pen” Bales of straw Football / Feed dispensing ball Interactive Feeders Current Research Health Pigs are vulnerable to several notifiable diseases including: African swine fever Anthrax Aujeszky’s disease (AKA: PseudoRabies) Classical swine fever Foot-and-mouth disease Rabies Swine vesicular disease Teschen disease (pig encephalomyelitis) Vesicular stomatitis Emerging Health Issues Porcine Epidemic Diarrhoea Virus (PEDv) African Swine Fever Porcine Dermatitis and Nephropathy Syndrome  Summary Welfare of Pigs is a UK Priority – despite the effect it MAY have on economics of production. Disease Control in Pigs is paramount; disease in pigs is transmittable to and by human vectors. Zoonosis make pig diseases notifiable. Economics of Pig Production are related to welfare, not driven by welfare. The Danbred breed (Danish Pig producers) Back Slatted Flooring – Welfare Economics Back Potential effects of gaseous combustion of pig slurry under slats Back Damage: This deep-pit swine facility in Iowa was destroyed after an explosion occurred due to foaming Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2325905/Pig-manure-turns-bubbling-foam-causes-explosions-Midwest-farms-barn-leveled-workers-injured-fed.html#ixzz40cKShizB Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook Link to Live da ta African Swine Fever Map 2023 (World Animal Health Information and Analysis Dept)  5 freedoms Freedom…. Domain 1. From hunger and thirst 1. Nutrition 2. From discomfort 2. Physical Environment 3. From pain, injury and 3. Health disease 4. To express normal 4. Behavioural Interactions behaviour 5. From fear and distress 5. Mental state