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.
Good
health starts at birth. Strong viable piglets should weigh 1200 grammes
at birth. As with all mammals it is essential that they receive colostrum
from their mother within a few hours of birth. This helps provide immunity
until their own immune systems are better developed.
In the countryside it was always traditional for householders to keep pigs in their back gardens but this practice was outlawed and pigs are now only kept in a farmed environment.
When
piglets are born they have eight very sharp pointed teeth that can damage
other piglets and the sow's udder. Sometimes it is necessary to clip
the teeth of the young piglet to prevent other health and welfare problems
from occurring. This should be done within 24 hours of birth.
The
sows milk is very low in iron and piglets can therefore suffer from
anaemia which predisposes them to other health problems. In the wild,
pigs obtain iron from the soil but in farming systems piglets receive
an injection of iron supplement within three days of birth.
Plenty
of chopped fresh clean straw keeps pigs dry and prevents disease build
up. Straw also provides material for pigs to play which leads to greater
contentement and therefore higher productivity. A soft bed of straw
also helps to prevent the pigs from sustaining injuries.
By
law all sows in the UK must be loose housed. Stalls and tethers are
illegal in the UK but are still permitted almost everywhere else in
the world including the whole of the EEC. Complying with our welfare
requirements has significantly increased the cost to the UK producer
with the result that cheap imports from abroad (lower welfare standards)
have displaced UK production.
Fresh
water is always on demand from drinkers which should not get contaminated
with muck. The law requires that there should be a minimum of one drinker
per 15 pigs in a pen and in addition a farmer must have access to further
supplies that will guarantee two days water for his pigs in the event
of emergency.
Disinfectant
powder: all sheds are steam cleaned and disinfected to try to ensure
healthy disease free conditions. Control of disease is vital for pig
health and the economics of production. Recent outbreaks of notifiable
disease (swine fever and foot and mouth disease) have illustrated the
importance of maintaining strict biosecurity measures. This however
does not guarantee freedom from disease.
Disinfection
points at the farm entrance can enhance biosecurity. This virucidal
disinfectant is effective against the foot and mouth virus provided
that lorries and persons follow strict disinfection procedures.
Flies
in pig farming systems are a nuisance upsetting the pig and acting as
a vector in the spread of disease. Control is important during the summer
months and a properly licensed insecticide can be used. The picture
illustrates a misting machine which can be used for this purpose.
This
lockable fridge contains different types of antibiotics. Animals treated
have to be clearly marked and the treatment recorded in a medicines
record book. Antibiotics can only be purchased under the supervision
of a vet and routine use is not permitted.
Statistics for Pigs and Pigmeat
|
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
|
| Total marketing pigs (000s) |
12381 | 10567 | 10282 | 9051 | 8679 | 8777 | 8731 | Pigs value of production (£ millions) |
822 | 738 | 689 | 686 | 681 | 677 | 685 | Pork - home fed as % new supply (%) |
92 | 73 | 74 | 71 | 73 | 70 | 68 | Bacon & Ham - home fed as % new supply (%) |
45 | 43 | 43 | 43 | 42 | 44 | 45 |
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