What are some current challenges to the Aus pig industry
- loop holes in import laws: can’t import anything on the bone or any raw products but people get around it by importing and then processing here
- recent problem with oversupply
Where does Aus export pork to?
mostly NZ but some offal goes to Singapore.
How are pigs priced/graded at sale?
- Mostly by carcass weight
- Sub-cut fat at the “P2” level is used as an indicator of overall fat content. Measured at last rib… >12mm will = 30c less per kg (Aus is a lean meat market).
Factors that can effect the profitability of an enterprise:
Main input cost = FEED
-factors effecting the price and availability of grain
2nd biggest cost = LABOUR
Other factors:
- competition with other proteins/meats
- imported processed meats
- seasonal demand and low fertility season clash = higher prices.
Main sources of costs for raising a piglet:
- health costs
- sow feed (must be really good, esp, for gilts)
- genetics/replacements
- capital costs
- piglet feed
Benefits of an indoor housing system:
- increased Feed Conversion Efficiency due
to:- less wastage
- more time spent in thermoneutral zone
- reduced labour
- better repro performance (part due to temp
control) - increased growth and consistency of herd
- less environmentally damaging (effluent
control, top soil damage)
Location of farms:
- have to be a certain distance away from towns due to smell (easier to get a permit for an ecoshelter as smell is less)
- need to have access to utilities (environemental control)
- need to be close to abbatoire or processing plant to reduce transport costs.
Different types of enterprise (ages etc)
They might have all life-stages on farm but this is less common as you need lots more space and the management needs of all stages are v different.
** more common is an “all-in, all-out system” with just 1 age group
What is vertical integration?
When all the inputs, products and outputs for a production system are owned by the same company. e.g. contract growers for poultry and pigs.
Different types of ventilation
80s: natural ventilation, open and closing vents based on temp. no fans.
Tunnel ventilation (in colder climates, v expensive to run) common now: Mechanical ventilation (popular for weaners)
Why is temp regulation important
- thermoneutral zone has big effect on FCE and repro success
- good temp= increased voluntary feed intake
- temp needs are v different for each life stage
Ideal temp ranges for piglets, weaners, sows:
Piglets:
Weaners:
Sows:
How is the different temp needs of lactating sows and piglets addressed?
Need to create micro-climates in farrowing shed: - creep space - heat mats - non-slatted floor - heat lamps to keep piglets warmer
Drip cooling and fans to cool sows.
What are important factors to consider in designing the sheds and pens?
- flooring
- litter choice
- thermoregulation
- feeder/drinker design (flow rate and height)
- stocking density and group size (will effect growth, welfare, aggression etc)
- management ease
- enrichment (sight barriers, litter to play with)
- microenvironments?
indoor systems: Flooring types
slatted: good for effluent draining and cooling
concrete: less cold than slats, more comfortable. needs to be enough of this that all can comfortably lie down at the same time.
For what period are farrowing crates used
Sows are in this area for about 4 weeks of a reproductive cycle.
(last week of pregnancy + 3 weeks lactation)
Why are piglets vulnerable to hypothermia?
-born with no fat stores, just a small amount of glycogen in the liver
What is an ecoshelter?
Covered, bedded system where pigs live in one large enclosure covered in a plastic tunnel.
Key features of an ecoshed?
- solid floor with deep bedding (needs to be
clean and dry) - large group size (no internal pens): possible issue with large social group??
- uses tunnel ventilation
- usually about 420 pigs per shed
What kinds of bedding/flooring can be used in an ecoshelter?
Bedding: - barley straw: more absorbant than wheat! - rice hulls: good for liquid waste but can be dusty and have endotoxins
Floor: - impacted clay or soil (probs with biosecurity) - concrete might be better but more expensive)
Pros and cons of ecoshelters:
+ves:
- less smelly
- straw= enrichments
- 1/3 price of set up of traditional sheds
- spent bedding = goof fertiliser
- ves:
- solid effluent system
- bedding needs to be changed heaps
- more space per pig needed due to large group size
- harder biosecurity
- large groups= management challenges
Outdoor systems: what types?
little houses where sows can get out but piglets cant
- shelters and purpose built wallows
- often side-line to dairy or grain business
Challenges with outdoor systems:
- temp control
- biosecurity
- top soil damage and erosion
- **pigs should be moved once there is less than 60% ground cover left.
- effluent management
Repro stages for a sow:
Mating: 1 week joining period (2x AI in a
week to maximise chances)
Pregnancy: 16 weeks (3 months, 3 weeks, 3
days or 115 days)
Lactation: 3-4 weeks. (longer in outdoor 4-6)
