UK pig numbers to remain stable
The number of pigs in the UK is likely to remain constant – a break with the trend over the last seven years when pig numbers have been falling.
Now, an analyst from the UK Meat & Livestock Commission told Agra Europe, figures are expected to remain fairly stable over the next year or so.
Pig numbers have stabilised due to both higher prices and improved price stability, which has given farmers a better basis for forward planning.
Lower feed costs have also benefited the industry over the last few months, but he doubted whether this would remain the same in 2007.
The breeding herd is up around 1%, but there has been a notable rise increase in slaughter animals – the first such increase in years.
PMWS
Since 2000, UK pig sale productivity has been troubled by Post-weaning Multisystemic Wasting Syndrome (PMWS ).
However, the disease has steadily been on the decline. Therefore, the number of pigs to sell per year has been rising.
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