Roger Abbott

Roger Abbott is the Editor of Energy Now

EU pig producers struggle to meet 2013 gestation sow stall deadline

Pig producers across Europe are facing stark choices as they approach the 2013 deadline for EU curbs on the use of gestation sow stalls, as well as a raft of new welfare regulations and environmental constraints due to be enforced in several European countries over the next few years.

Examples of some alternative sow housing systems. Photo courtesy of Big Dutchman.

North America’s pig producers surviving difficult market

North American pig producers are certainly not immune to the hardships that have been affecting the industry in other parts of the world for some time now and that look set to continue through the rest of 2011.Statistics published by the US Department of Agriculture towards the end of 2010 revealed that the US pig herd was still in a worrying “phase of contraction”, although it predicted that this phase did appear to be slowing.

The best chance to get our consumers to fall in love with pork all over again, says US Pork Board president, Gene Nemecheck.

Controlling PCV2 and other major pig diseases

Outbreaks of disease in the world’s growing livestock sector present significant potential costs – at the farm level through losses in production and productivity, and at the national level by disruption to markets and international trade, warns Professor David Leaver, former head of the Royal Agricultural College in the UK. “Climate change is likely to increase the spread of vector-borne diseases and parasites with higher temperatures and variable precipitation resulting in new diseases and/or disease occurrences in new locations,” he said, speaking at a London conference organized by the National Office of Animal Health earlier this year.

The impact of PCV2 on pigs.

How one pig producer is profiting from biogas production

Since 2002, Danish pig producer Jens Peter Lunden has been making a profit by operating a GrønGas A/S biogas plant. Lunden sells off the excess heat generated by the anaerobic digestion plant to a nearby district heating company, generates electricity for the National Grid, and also reduces his farm’s carbon footprint.

Danish pig farmer Jens Peter Lunden believes other producers should follow his example and link up with neighbors to produce biogas.

Victam International 2011 relocates to Germany, joins two other feed shows

Held simultaneously for the first time, Victam International, FIAAP International and GRAPAS trade shows are opening together in Cologne, Germany, May 3-5, 2011.Rising costs and doubts about the availability of some raw materials are causing concern among feed manufacturers, processors and producers around the world, and the market shows no signs of calming down yet.

A major draw for those seeking the latest technology and new ideas.

VIV Russia 2011 offers access to expanding poultry, pig markets

Because Russia’s agricultural policies are aimed at achieving more growth and higher self-sufficiency levels, pig and poultry producers, processors and feed manufacturers are looking for the latest technology and machinery to help them hit the government’s ambitious meat production targets. In spite of recent economic difficulties, the Russian government is heavily investing in agricultural development programmes.

The event will offering an opportunity to gain access to fast-expanding market.

Danish farmers get ‘worry free’ anaerobic digestion

Producers develop innovative ways to link into alternative energy without the day-to-day worries of running a digester.

The anaerobic digestion plant has two tanks, one inside the other. The outer tank holds the waste, while the digester is in the middle – and the farm obtains biogas from both sections.

Climate change alters pig building needs

Environmental data loggers allow producers to create optimal environments.

Oxfordshire pig farmer Tom Allen (right) discusses a print-out from the Farmex data logger in his newly commissioned 640-pig finishing house, supplied by ARM Buildings, with environment specialist Tim Miller.

How to cut your energy costs

Reusing generated heat could lead to dramatic savings for pig producers.

Joe Dewhirst, managing director of Yorkwold Pigpro Ltd. near Driffield in East Yorkshire in the UK, is saving up to £70,000 (US$116,914) a year on his energy bills.

Danish pig industry optimistic despite challenges

Denmark’s pig producers are aware that they must change their production methods and continue to improve animal welfare conditions if they are to meet consumer demands and impending legislation. Despite the challenge, they remain optimistic and have a positive view of the future despite facing a year full of uncertainties.

Danish director of trade and marketing relations Jan Laustsen, says the pig sector, is facing the future with confidence.

Global pig industry investing in renewable energy resources

Pig producers across the globe are being encouraged to invest in renewable resources. In South Africa, Cape Advanced Engineering (CAE) has been developing technology for the biogas sector under the “Ornanergy” label since 2007.

A fact sheet on wind energy for Britain’s pig farmers

Another positive year for Malaysia’s broiler producers

Evidence of the continued growth in Malaysia’s broiler chicken industry is expected to be revealed when the final 2009-2010 statistics are published – and observers are predicting that 2010 could be a bright year for the ex-farm price of chicken, as well as for profits, for the sector.

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