The pig industry is a major sector in UK agriculture and unlike many other sectors it is not supported by state or European subsidy.
Pigs are inquisitive and intelligent animals and respond to good care and attention. An unhealthy pig is unlikely to be profitable. Below are some of the key factors that the pig farmer addresses on a routine basis.
Most pigs in the UK are almost completely dependent upon processed foods that have been prepared from a range of ingredients. For this reason there is a great deal of research that goes into the production of wholesome balanced foodstuffs that the pigs like and grow well on.
Traditionally farmers produced pigs to three different weights to satisfy distinct market requirements (the bacon market, the processing market and the fresh pork market). However, advances in management and breeding allow the farmer to produce a heavier and leaner pig that now satisfies most demands.
One of the most important aspects of pig production is getting young piglets off to a good start. For this reason it is essential that the management and stockmanship of a farm is maintained at the highest possible standards.
The outdoor pig industry has grown quickly over the last decade, a factor that has been hastened by the high capital costs of indoor pig housing as well as public demand for a less intensive industry. Planning regulations have also made it more difficult to develop indoor pig production.
The pig industry tends to be concentrated into particular locations. Without careful managment of waste products, pollution does become a problem. We detail some of the processes in use for waste disposal.
