- Location
- Near Colchester
I think that much of the increase in pork and poultry production and, assuming almost all is eaten, consumption, is the increasing amount of meat protein eaten by everyone, not just the obese West. Selling just one sausage or chicken thigh to each of the Chinese per year would account for much of that increase.
In terms of resource use poultry and then pig meat is the most efficient on average given that a vast proportion of the beef produced (not mine I hasten to add) is produced using feed that humans could eat and that the FCE of cattle is poor certainly at finishing weights.
Given that I am chiefly a pig farmer I am rather reluctant to admit that poulrty meat production is the most efficient by far however I wouldn't dream of eating mass produced insipid broiler meat. We sell free range chicken, bought in from a mate, it is 4 times the price of a commercial broiler but the taste is often commented on by new customers as being unbelievable compared to the pap they get in a supermarket.
The consumer has lost all round in terms of the eating experience but has gained by having so much of their income to spend on other essentials like holidays, expensive houses, consumer goods etc.
The producers are spinning their hamster wheel at such a speed that they have to accomplish more and more production for less and less reward - but then you all know that.
Back to my hamster wheel then.
In terms of resource use poultry and then pig meat is the most efficient on average given that a vast proportion of the beef produced (not mine I hasten to add) is produced using feed that humans could eat and that the FCE of cattle is poor certainly at finishing weights.
Given that I am chiefly a pig farmer I am rather reluctant to admit that poulrty meat production is the most efficient by far however I wouldn't dream of eating mass produced insipid broiler meat. We sell free range chicken, bought in from a mate, it is 4 times the price of a commercial broiler but the taste is often commented on by new customers as being unbelievable compared to the pap they get in a supermarket.
The consumer has lost all round in terms of the eating experience but has gained by having so much of their income to spend on other essentials like holidays, expensive houses, consumer goods etc.
The producers are spinning their hamster wheel at such a speed that they have to accomplish more and more production for less and less reward - but then you all know that.
Back to my hamster wheel then.