Pig

The Government’s UK-wide consultation of the pig supply chain must lead to action that protects and benefits primary producers, National Pig Association chief executive Dr Zoe Davies has said. By Hannah Binns and Ewan Pate.

With the UK gearing up for what could be its hottest day in history, and temperatures forecast to top 40degC this week, farmers have been urged to take precautionary measures to protect their stock against heat stress.

Keeping pigs for the whole of their lives from birth to finishing is key for North Farm Livestock’s outdoor pig enterprise in Norfolk.

A whole supply chain approach must be considered when looking to address the chronic labour shortages the UK’s pig sector is experiencing. Hannah Binns reports on the steps industry is taking.

Pig production costs are continuing to climb despite a fall in the wheat price, with the standard pig price (SPP) still lagging behind.

Defra Ministers have become embroiled in a spat with industry after claiming the backlog of pigs on farms has now been ‘almost completely removed’. By Abi Kay, Ewan Pate and Hannah Binns.

African Swine Fever (ASF) and poor profitability have hit pig production in Germany as the pig population declines.

Foreign pork products from systems using farrowing crates would not be allowed to be imported if the UK Government chose to ban them here, Farming Minister Victoria Prentis has said.

Alec and Caroline Matheson have developed a successful charcuterie business from their home at Bogrow Farm in the Scottish Highlands. Katie Fallon finds out more.

Pig industry figures have called on Government to provide some ‘proper support’ to halt the decline in production as the industry contracts.