Continental killout aids profitability
UK - At over 80 percent, Dutch producers are achieving kill-out percentages most UK producers can only dream of, although it should be borne in mind that continental figures are for head on, kidneys and flare fat in.
20 February 2003
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National
Pig Association  THE VOICE OF THE UK PIG INDUSTRY NPA is active on members' behalf in Brussels & White-hall, and with pro-cessors, supermarkets & caterers – fighting for the growth and pros-perity of the UK pig industry. |
Some producers with high-conformation pigs are achieving 85 percent, whilst the average is between 81 and 83 percent. P2 levels are between 10mm for extreme lean pigs and 25mm.
Half the pigs going for slaughter are castrated, adding about 5mm to the P2 - but Dutch producers would point out that when fat levels increase with weight so does the meat.
Cost per kilo, feed is lower on the continent thanks to ready availability of cheap by-products.
A farmer on the continent produces roughly 9kg more pure meat per carcass (a 20 percent increase) than a producer who is restricted by a low top weight and pressures to achieve a low P2.
Source: National Pig Association - 19th February 2003
