Stockcroft Pigs joins LEAF to benefit from environmental expertise
Pork producer Stockcroft Pigs has joined sustainable farming organisation LEAF – Linking Environment And Farming – as a corporate member. Stockcroft Pigs is looking to implement LEAF’s Integrated Farm Management (IFM) sustainable farming principles across its 50 contracted farms based in the South, West of England and Wales. IFM is a whole farm business approach […]
Pig industry moves to red alert over PEDv transatlantic killer
The British pig industry is on red alert, in a bid to prevent an outstandingly virulent pig disease from entering the country. Until more is known about transmission routes of porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus, the industry is focusing in particular on a specialist feed ingredient for young pigs—spray-dried porcine plasma. Positive polymerase chain reaction tests […]
Foot-and-mouth anniversary highlights the risks of feeding swill to pigs
The reminder comes in the same week that African swine fever, another serious notifiable disease, is reported in Poland, carried across the border from Belarus by a wild boar, and putting the European Union commercial pig industry at increased risk of infection. Foot-and-mouth was confirmed on February 20 at an Essex abattoir, in swill-fed pigs […]
Time to say goodbye to the ‘weakest link’
The association hopes when abattoirs see how they are rated against their competitors, the poorest performers will be encouraged to invest in improved lorry-washing facilities. Many pig producers and hauliers consider sub-standard lorry washes to be the weakest link in the industry’s armoury against endemic diseases such as swine dysentery, and imported diseases such as […]
Keep vigilant against swine dysentery
At this time of year, the risk of dysentery is high and cases have been found in Yorkshire. “The disease can spread rapidly both within and between units, particularly in the current cold, wet conditions,” warns BPEX’s interim veterinary programme manager, Helen Clarke. “With such an economically damaging infection, it is imperative any suspected symptoms […]
Midland Pig Producers wins national farming award for innovation
MPP was announced winner of the Food & Farming Industry Awards’ coveted Enterprise and Innovation title after demonstrating its dedication to advancing animal welfare standards and enhancing pig production techniques. The Awards, organised by Farm Business, were hosted at the House of Commons by Tiverton & Honiton MP Neil Parish and featured political commentator and […]
Chickens to benefit from biofuels bonanza
It has long been known that the yeasty broth left over after bioethanol production is nutritious, but it has taken a collaboration between Nottingham Trent University and AB Agri, the agricultural division of Associated British Foods, to prove that Yeast Protein Concentrate (YPC) can be separated from the fibrous cereal matter. The researchers have also […]
McDonald’s to receive recognition for good sow welfare
McDonald’s Europe previously received a Good Egg Award in 2008 for its commitment to source only cage-free whole eggs across its entire European operation and this year Compassion will be awarding McDonald’s UK for its move to support the welfare needs of sows in its supply chain. McDonald’s UK recently announced it was switching to […]
UK Poultry Vets Seminar calls for closer cooperation
The majority of UK poultry veterinary practices were represented at the event which began on Monday evening with a pre-seminar dinner attended by Mathieu Lemarie, Nico Buddiger, Matt McCready and Richard Houlbrooke from Hybrid Turkeys and Caringa. Many of the attending vets also work with UK turkey and broiler growers and integrators On Tuesday Joice […]
