Now, having quickly adapted to its new environment, the herd's quality is becoming clearly apparent in its creditable productivity figures.

In the first year, a farrowing rate of 82.9 per cent has been achieved with 11.1 piglets born alive per sow, 10.3 piglets weaned per sow and a weaning weight at 28 days of 7.9kg.

"This is a welcome confirmation that our choice of JSR Genetics stock was the right one", says Vira 1's Purchasing Manager, Lyudmyla Romanyuk. "As the herd gets older, and ideal parity distribution is reached, we expect these figures to get even better. Now, with continued state support, and the adoption of new breeding technologies - the Ukrainian pork industry is flourishing. 7.7 million heads of pigs as of January 2007; that's an increase of 9.8 per cent compared to 2005. With our locally bred, high quality stock we are ideally placed to capitalize on this."

The herd's performance at Vira 1 has been helped enormously by start-up support provided by JSR. Angus Chambers, JSR's International Production Specialist, and Paul Anderson, the European Sales Director, pay regular visits to the unit and work closely with staff. JSR's Consultant Nutritionist, John Barber has also been involved, formulating all the unit's feed rations. The value of this on-going support has been tremendous, as Farm Manager Petro Petrovich confirms:

"Our aim has always been quality and productivity. The genetics we now have not only offer the potential of high yields of quality meat in the high value cuts but also come with the level of support we need to realize that potential to the full. We are now implementing the plans that we developed in conjunction with JSR to secure the high health status of the herd and are investing heavily in our facilities. More than ever, we are determined to achieve the highest standards."

Dedicated
A dedicated quarantine facility, into which new imports are received, has now been completed, as has a 'veterinary hospital' in which stock can be treated in a secure, isolated environment. A purpose built, double-storey aluminium bodied truck has also been purchased to transport weaners safely from the production area to the off-site grower unit.

Investment has also been made in Vira 1's workforce, which has undertaken rigorous training programmes, devised and implemented by Angus Chambers. As part of this process, a bespoke Pig Production Manual has been produced providing detailed practical knowledge based on proven research.

Tim Rymer, Chairman of JSR, is delighted with the progress made at Vira 1 and says, "Working with the renowned Pan Kurchak group has been very gratifying. They are a highly capable and efficient organisation and, as pork processors supplied directly by Vira 1, they are determined to achieve the highest standards and the best outcome from their investment; these first year results are proof of that. They have provided us with the perfect opportunity to demonstrate the true capability of JSR and to reaffirm our reputation as a supplier of world class genetics."