Pig prices 10c/kg below breakeven: IFA

THE LOW level of Irish pig prices relative to returns across Europe will cast a shadow over the forthcoming Irish Pig Health Society (IPHS) symposium which takes place at the Slieve Russell Hotel, Cavan on April 10.

Irish prices have slipped to 140c/kg since the start of the year, markedly below the European average of around 147c/kg.

The drop in prices has provoked serious concerns among pig producers, with IFA pig committee chairman, Tom Hogan, claiming that returns are running 10c/kg below the breakeven price for farmers of 150c/kg.

The fall in Irish prices has been exacerbated by the recent poor weather which closed the slaughter plants and resulted in a backlog of pigs building up.

Mr Hogan accepted that the factories have been working weekends to clear this backlog but he said the overhang in pig numbers did not justify the continued low prices.

He warned that the country’s 300 intensive pig producers could not continue to carry the current losses and called on the processing plants to increase prices to at least 150c/kg as a matter of urgency.

Innovation

Meanwhile, the keynote speakers at this year’s IPHS symposium include Jamie Robertson from the School of Biological Science, University of Aberdeen, and Martin Baker, managing director of Midland Pig Producers Ltd.

Mr Robertson will give an insight into partial depopulation and the importance of livestock management, while Mr Baker will present a paper on pig health and innovation.

In addition, IPHS secretary, Shane McAuliffe and Cavan-based pig farmer, Gary Pepper, will speak about pig farming and their experiences with production.

The admission charge to the symposium, which is the country’s largest pig event and attracts up to 300 people from all parts of the industry, is €30 per person or €50 to include sit a down evening meal. Further information is available from the event organisers, Green Acre Marketing, at 051 399760.