Improvements in the physical performance of the GB breeding herd in 2014, led by indoor units, helped to increase the overall productivity of sows, according to BPEX.
Quoting the latest data from Agrosoft, BPEX reported that the combination of more pigs born alive, a slight fall in pre-weaning mortality and increased carcase weights all added up to a 3% increase in the amount of pigmeat produced per sow in 2014.
“The average number of pigs born alive per litter rose to 12.1, up 0.2 compared with 2013,” said the levy body. “Along with a slight fall in pre-weaning mortality, this meant that the number of pigs weaned per sow per year increased to 24.1, up from 23.6 in the previous year.
“These two measures, combined with reduced post-weaning mortality, meant the number of pigs sold per sow per year increased accordingly, to 22.7 (up by 0.4). With carcase weights also rising, the amount of pig meat produced per sow rose by 3%, or 50kg, to 1,820kg in 2014.”
Improvements were more prominent in the bigger indoor herd than in the outdoor sector, however.
“The number of pigs weaned per sow indoors was up 3%, or 0.7 pigs, on the year to 25.7,” said BPEX, adding that indoor pre-weaning mortality was also down on the year, whereas outdoors it increased, widening the gap between the two.
“The number of pigs weaned per outdoor sow was only 0.1 higher than in 2013, at 21.8.”