ThePigSite Newsletter - 25 July 2011

ThePigSite Weekly Newsletter

Monday 25th July 2011

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Welcome to this week's newsletter

Editorial – Comparing Pig Output across the Globe

The latest statistics from the US reveal that pork production totalled 1.82 billion pounds in June, down one per cent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totalled 8.94 million head, also down one per cent from June 2010. The average live weight was up two pounds from the previous year, at 273 pounds. Total commercial red meat production was one per cent higher in June than a year previously.

In the same month in the UK, clean pig slaughterings were nine per cent higher than in June 2010 at 744,000 head and pig meat production was also nine per cent higher at 60,000 tonnes.

Russia's Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin, has said about the prospects for 2012: "We will see a considerable increase in pork production because we have been launching new livestock production facilities, pig farms. According to a preliminary estimate, we shall produce an additional 300,000 tonnes of pork. That is to say, next year, we will import 350,000 tonnes of pork."

According to the latest Whole Hog report, the US pig herd may be on the road to recovery, with slight increases in total pig numbers and in the breeding herd.

In Germany, the pig industry is relying ever more on live pig imports as the breeding herd fell by 2.4 per cent, according to the May census. Whole Hog reports that piglet numbers are up by six per cent and the total number of pigs has risen by 0.6 per cent year-on-year, standing at 26.7 million in May.

A recent outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease (FMD) in cattle, pigs, sheep and goats in Guizhou province in central southern China was reported last week.

Jackie Linden

This Week's Feature Articles

We have 6 new features this week:

US Breeding Herd Recovers - Cautious Uptrend (July 2011)
By Chris Harris, Editor-in-Chief of ThePigSite. Our snapshot of the ongoing global pig industry trends as reported in the July 2011 Whole Hog Brief. To read the full detailed analysis, including all the commentary and graphical data, subscribe to the publication.

Intestinal Diseases Incur a Heavy Cost
Intestinal diseases have a huge impact on the resources of the pig industry and compromises on enteric health lead to waste and incur a heavy cost, writes ThePigSite editor in chief, Chris Harris.

Study Backs Pig Producers' Lost Margin Claims
French pig producers have seen their share of the retail ticket for loin-based retail cuts fade by nearly one-quarter between the years 2000 and 2010, on the basis of figures published by senior French government economist Philippe Chalmin, writes Peter Crosskey.

Impact of Medicated Feed on Development of Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria in Integrated Pig-Fish Farms
Researchers in Viet Nam have found evidence that tetracycline and enrofloxacin added to pig feeds led to the development of resistance in bacteria in the water and pond sediments in combined pig-fish farms.

Is There Gold in Your Dust?
A farm case study from BPEX exploring the benefits of a cyclone dust collector attached to the feeding system. The main advantages are improved biosecurity and a reduction in feed wastage.

US Pork Outlook - July 2011
Drought continues to drive US cattle sales, while pig meat exports are expected to continue to be strong and broiler meat production continues to rise, according to the latest Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Outlook from the USDA's Economic Research Service.

Company News

Genesus Breeding Stock Sold in Russia
CANADA & RUSSIA - Canada's Agriculture Minister Ritz has announced that Genesus breeding stock have been sold to Russia.

Biomin Australia Sponsors the Victorian Pig Fair
AUSTRALIA - More than 500 people learned about improvements in the pig industry in the recently held Victorian Pig Fair at the Bendigo Exhibition Centre during 7 to 8 June 2011.

Merck Breaks Ground for Vaccine Plant Expansion
NETHERLANDS - Merck Animal Health, formerly known as Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, has announced that it has embarked on the expansion of a vaccine manufacturing unit at its Biosciences Center Boxmeer campus.

Global Pig Industry News