Work for UK to do on sow productivity
1st Dec 2017 / By Alistair Driver
Sow productivity continues to limit the competitiveness of GB pig production, according to a new report from InterPIG.
While the number of pigs weaned per sow per year increased at the same rate as the EU as a whole (+2%), at 24.83, the figure was well behind the EU average. Even the figure for GB indoor production, 26.2, remained below the EU average. British productivity continues to be limited by the number of pigs born alive per litter, which averaged 13.8 in the EU, but only 12.5 in GB (indoor sows 13, outdoor sows 11.7).
Denmark achieved 32 pigs weaned/sow/year, followed by Belgium and the Netherlands at around the 30 mark.
Great Britain was the only member country to record a decline in pig production costs in sterling terms last year, according to the report.