Cull Boar and sow prices

[Tommy]

I’m not saying that taking pig to market is now the answer, that ship has probably sailed long ago. How many markets used to sell pigs? There has been a few new faces turn up in Leek in the last few weeks, doubling the usual numbers. It looks like other markets have seen a similar increase ( I know it’s just a drop in the ocean as far as numbers)The one newcomer has been selling pigs at every market he can get to with weaners, fat pigs and cull sows, they just have to go he says.
I suppose what I’m trying to ask is who benefits from selling direct? My guess is it’s the processors who get the most from it. Also who will have the confidence to sign up having seen how you can be treated? How will things change in the future to make things better for us, the producers?

 

[borderterribles]

I’m not saying that taking pig to market is now the answer, that ship has probably sailed long ago. How many markets used to sell pigs? There has been a few new faces turn up in Leek in the last few weeks, doubling the usual numbers. It looks like other markets have seen a similar increase ( I know it’s just a drop in the ocean as far as numbers)The one newcomer has been selling pigs at every market he can get to with weaners, fat pigs and cull sows, they just have to go he says.
I suppose what I’m trying to ask is who benefits from selling direct? My guess is it’s the processors who get the most from it. Also who will have the confidence to sign up having seen how you can be treated? How will things change in the future to make things better for us, the producers?

I'd say that you are correct in that the processors do best out of direct selling, but closely followed by the supermarkets and in turn, the people who buy their food at them. Chicken and Pork are the foods of the masses, which is why their production is largely a race to the bottom. When will it change? Probably not anytime soon .

 

[Pigken]

Apologies totally off topic but the right people to ask are on here.
Our feed chap is struggling to keep himself stocked (Duffields giving him the now standard line of 'staff issues'), is it ok to give weaners 18% ewe nuts for 24/48 hrs, or do I need to have a drive round to try and find pig food ? thanks.

They be fine shirt term on it or rolled barley.

 

[Pigken]

When storys/tales of people weaning 3000 piglets a week and disposing of them as no where for them, it makes you wonder. None of us produce animals to be wasted, they have a purpose to fulfill and that's not it.

 

[delilah]

They be fine shirt term on it or rolled barley.

Thanks that's reassuring, they have had ewe nuts today feed delivery promised for tomorrow.

 

[spin cycle]

wondering today......are the huge outfits that grow for their own abattoirs not doing ok?.....even to the extent of getting ready to expand as independents give up?

 

[bitwrx]

wondering today......are the huge outfits that grow for their own abattoirs not doing ok?.....even to the extent of getting ready to expand as independents give up?

I'd imagine so. No evidence to back it up, but if I owned a number of big abattoirs as well as 5-10% of the national sow herd (Pilgrim's Pride and BQP, xxxxxxxxx and Wayland Farms/Wold Farms etc), I'd be seeing how I could turn this situation to my advantage.

Fair dos, business is business. I don't think market share is the root of all evil, but there's more than a grain of truth in @delilah 's familiar refrain.

 

[delilah]

Pig and poultry section: 7k messages.
Dairy section: 250k messages.
Beef and sheep section: 675k messages.
Fruit and veg: No need for a section. All gone.

There is a direct and clear correlation between those figures and the consolidation/ vertical integration that has taken place in each sector to fall into line with the wishes of the cartel. Carry on along the current trajectory and there will be as little activity on the other sections as there is on this one. For a number of reasons I can actually see beef contracting faster than dairy, but they will all get there soon enough.
Which is absolutely fine if that is what the industry wishes to see. If it isn't, then you're all leaving it till the eleventh hour to do something about it.

 

[borderterribles]

I don't doubt the sentiments behind your post, but I would point out that the specific Dairy Farming and Pig and Poultry sections on the forum haven't been running as long as the forum itself.

 

[delilah]

I don't doubt the sentiments behind your post, but I would point out that the specific Dairy Farming and Pig and Poultry sections on the forum haven't been running as long as the forum itself.

Thanks, didn't know that, I stumbled in here a bit late.

 

[Pan mixer]

Apologies totally off topic but the right people to ask are on here.
Our feed chap is struggling to keep himself stocked (Duffields giving him the now standard line of 'staff issues'), is it ok to give weaners 18% ewe nuts for 24/48 hrs, or do I need to have a drive round to try and find pig food ? thanks.

Nothing much in a sheep ration will harm a pig for a short time I reckon. They probably won't grow much on it though - different sort of protein calculation for pigs and sheep iirc

 

[Pan mixer]

I’m not saying that taking pig to market is now the answer, that ship has probably sailed long ago. How many markets used to sell pigs? There has been a few new faces turn up in Leek in the last few weeks, doubling the usual numbers. It looks like other markets have seen a similar increase ( I know it’s just a drop in the ocean as far as numbers)The one newcomer has been selling pigs at every market he can get to with weaners, fat pigs and cull sows, they just have to go he says.
I suppose what I’m trying to ask is who benefits from selling direct? My guess is it’s the processors who get the most from it. Also who will have the confidence to sign up having seen how you can be treated? How will things change in the future to make things better for us, the producers?

I stopped selling in the market during F and M as the market shut of course. I started selling direct to the abattoir the same week.

I don't have a contract with them but they know what to expect and are generally fair as far as I know.

I am not sure who benefits most out of the two of us but I am totally happy that the pigs benefit most of all by not going through the market pens, shouting drovers, second lorry trip - perhaps with pigs they don't know and so on, and would be loath to subject my pigs to all of that even if the local market still sold pigs.

The meat quality must be better too as a side benefit and that is what counts with the customers.

 

[ImLost]

Would you sell the odd sow or two that's good for breeding, to a smallholder @Pan mixer ? Not going to solve your problem I know, but I'm on the lookout for a sow or two.

 

[Pan mixer]

Would you sell the odd sow or two that's good for breeding, to a smallholder @Pan mixer ? Not going to solve your problem I know, but I'm on the lookout for a sow or two.

I would be happy to sell gilts or whatever but I have a long established heard and who knows what disease profile although as far as I know I have nothing serious.

 

[Suffolk Serf]

Would you sell the odd sow or two that's good for breeding, to a smallholder @Pan mixer ? Not going to solve your problem I know, but I'm on the lookout for a sow or two.

I might be nearer. Lovely quiet sows and gilts.

 

[Batty]

wondering today......are the huge outfits that grow for their own abattoirs not doing ok?.....even to the extent of getting ready to expand as independents give up?

Can’t imagine any of them have been shooting pigs as as no customers for them. Still see the adverts for more finishers required read in to that whatever you like

 

[Batty]

When storys/tales of people weaning 3000 piglets a week and disposing of them as no where for them, it makes you wonder. None of us produce animals to be wasted, they have a purpose to fulfill and that's not it.

Maybe this is part of the problem!
Both pictures taken within 2 meters today.

 

[Woolless]

Maybe this is part of the problem!
Both pictures taken within 2 meters today.
View attachment 999304View attachment 999305

I'm assuming that wasn't out the same cabinet as the British stuff but nonetheless. I think I'm right to say that our pig welfare standards are the best in Europe but go into most supermarkets and you struggle to pick up a piece of British ham or gammon. That's been happening long before even this shower that we laughingly call a government but it's going to get worse.

 

[LT1]

Can’t imagine any of them have been shooting pigs as as no customers for them. Still see the adverts for more finishers required read in to that whatever you like

I know one of the companies recently sent all there staff off for WATOK license training, so read into that what you will.

 

[bitwrx]

I might be nearer. Lovely quiet sows and gilts.

Prolific as well!

I have plenty, but we're still under movement restrictions for bTB so everything leaving the farm has to go direct to slaughter.