BPEX Weekly

Who will win this year’s David Black Award?
Go to the BPEX website for a nomination form

Knowledge Transfer
Tip of the Week: Lactation Feeding Regime
Check that the lactation feeding regime you are currently following is appropriate and remember to feed the larger meal in the afternoon. For more on this topic see Action for Productivity 5.

Grist Size Check
Lisbeth Ravn (KT Manager for the North) has arranged delivery of four feed sieves from Bygholm in Denmark, so the Knowledge Transfer Team is able to look at the coarseness of feed, cereal and other products for producers who mill their own feed. The sieves are simple to use, with the quantity of feed left in each partition of the sieve providing you with a guide to the quality of the feed being produced. The coarseness and degree of grinding of feed impacts feed efficiency. Fine grinding means that the pig can easily utilise the nutrients, but can reduce feed intake, this is common when feeding dry feed; fine grinding can also result in stomach ulcers. Coarse grinding of the feed can result in poor feed efficiency, but can have a positive effect on stomach ulcers or if there is a problem with Salmonella, E Coli or Ileitis in the herd. Contact your regional KT Manager if you are interested in learning more by email kt@bpex.org.uk.

Ask the Experts
Got a burning question to ask BPEX? Then go to “Ask BPEX”, which is now live on the BPEX website. Whether it’s feed, the environment, vaccination, bedding or something else that’s bugging you we’ll find the answer. Just click on the link on the BPEX website, which you’ll find under Practical Advice. We will send you an immediate acknowledgement of your question and forward it to the appropriate expert. We guarantee you a response within five working days!

Marketing News
Website is a Winner
Below is a very positive email which shows the work BPEX does is having an effect.

‘I'd just like to tell you guys that after the promotional material that you sent me and spending some time on your website I decided to put 'Braised Collar of 'Old Spot' Pork' on to my Dinner menu (selling at £14.50), and in the two weeks that its been on has proved to be a best-seller. I'm cutting the portion sizes quite generous (in fact one gentleman 'complained' that the portion was "rather too large") but am still able to generate an approx. GP of 68%.

My customers are responding well to the fact that its local pork and that it's 'Old Spot', and I'll be keeping a similar cut/dish on my menu for a good while to come. Thanks again for the advice - the website is a treasure trove of ideas and helpful tips. Regards, Andy Goodman Chef/Owner - The Hairy Bear, Somerset.’

Pigs Are Worth It Latest
Pig World is to feature the Starburst and Top Marks adverts in the August issue, along with a PAWit campaign update as a two-page feature in the centre of the magazine. The Top Marks ad will also be featured on the front covers of Cost Sector Catering and Eat Out magazines (Foodservice industry magazines) in their August issues, on sale w/c 28th July.  They will also feature a campaign update page which this month will feature the PSFPI issue and the publication of the Chefs Choose Pork recipe booklet (see below).

Chefs Choose Pork
BPEX, in conjunction with 4 celebrity chefs - Phil Vickery, along with Aldo Zilli, Lesley Walters and Antony Worrall Thompson - have produced a Pigs Are Worth It campaign recipe booklet. For circulation to journalists and consumers it contains a selection of their own recipes in support of the campaign along with stunning new photography of each of the dishes.  Phil Vickery will be giving radio interviews next Friday (25th July) to promote the booklet and campaign, which will also support the press activity to launch the booklet.

BPEXPress for Butchers
A newsletter is currently being circulated to all independent retailers updating them on BPEX activity including the Roadshow final update, new promotional kit details and diary dates for British Sausage Week (3-9 Nov) and Bacon Week 16-23 March.  For a copy call 01908 844107 or email enquiries@ahdbms.org.uk

Summer Promotional Kits
Promotional material is currently being sent to independent retailers featuring summer pork recipes it will include a poster and 20 recipe cards for consumer use.  If you would like a kit please call 01908 844107 or email enquiries@ahdbms.org.uk

Sausages Under Pressure
The economy sausage sector has been under significant pressure over the last year showing a volume loss of 7.1% and a value loss of 12% (TNS 52 w/e 15/6/08).  Its volume share has slipped to only 7.2% of the sausage market compared to 31% for the premium sector. Recently Asda, promoted their “2p sausage”.  For the 4 w/e 15/6/08 this increased Asda’s volume by 91% but their value by only 9%. 

This had the short term effect of lifting the economy sector by 16% in volume and 1.2% in value (4 w/e 15/6/08). Despite the current economic situation and food inflation these gains are unlikely to be maintained.

National News:
Pig Industry Probe
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee will undertake a short inquiry into the English pig industry. The questions the committee will ask include what is wrong with the pig industry in England, are domestic pig welfare standards a principal reason that English producers have problems competing with those outside the UK, what could supermarkets and the hospitality industry do to alleviate the pressure on the domestic pig industry and Can the Government do more to support the industry?

BPEX and NPA Chairman Stewart Houston said: “This is brilliant news and is a hugely important opportunity to put forward our case. An important part of the Pigs Are Worth It campaign has been to alert Parliament to the problems of the pig industry.”

MHS Charges
The FSA Board has agreed to recommend new proposals, to reform the charging regime for the regulation of the UK meat industry. At its meeting in Cardiff, the Board also reaffirmed its support for small rural abattoirs as the new charging policy develops. For more click here.

Debate on Food Security
A debate on how to continue to ensure a secure and sustainable supply of food in the future has today been launched by Hilary Benn. Publishing a new Defra discussion paper, “Ensuring the UK’s food security in a changing world”, He said while the UK was currently secure in its food supply, it was important to consider whether the UK food supply chain is sufficiently resilient to deal with short term shocks and sufficiently strong to face long term challenges.

The paper – which will feed into a more detailed statement on food security policy expected later this year - poses five key questions for the public and industry to comment on. For more information click here.

Export Report
For the latest export news, click here.

NADIS Latest –  Colitis
Since the beginning of the year veterinary practitioners reporting under the NADIS surveillance scheme have been commenting on the overt reduction in the amount of scour seen in growing pigs – a syndrome that has been widespread in the UK for the last 25 years.  In many cases comment is made that this improvement has come about without any obvious or deliberate changes on the farm and certainly does not coincide with recent medication or vaccination programmes.  The possibility exists that for some reason diets have become more digestible.  Could it be that the financial pressures resulting from the high feed prices has prompted formulation changes that incidentally have had a beneficial effect on gut health?

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again!
How can you resist the BPEX Pig Health Scheme especially now you’ve got the chance to get it for free? BPHS health checks are still great value for money but join and pay for the new BPHS by the end of August and you’ll be entered into a FREE DRAW to win a refund of your membership fee for the full three years!!!

If you were a member of BPHS 1 you will still get ALL your reports until the end of August, then it’s bye bye, but WHY WHY would you ever let it go ? To join the scheme download a membership form from http://www.bpex.org.uk/PracticalAdvice/ProducerKt/Bphs/default.aspx or call 01463 233184. Don’t delay, join today and save money on your production costs.

Who Has Highest COP?
Did you know that changes in monthly feed prices, exchange rate and cost of production for all EU countries are available on the new BPEX website which is packed with facts and figures to help individual businesses make better decisions for their business. Visit the market intelligence section at www.bpex.org.uk to find out what other vital information for you business is available - you only have to register once and then in future you will automatically login.

International News:
Danes Upbeat Prediction
The year 2009 will be a profitable year for pig producers after several years of extremely low prices and losses. Mr. Finn K. Knudsen, departmental manager of Danish Pig Production, estimates that the average settling price will increase to an average of € 1,733/kilo, which is the highest quote for over 20 years. (Source,Borsen)

US Pork Forecasts Up
The agency said although producers intend to farrow fewer sows during the second half of 2008 compared with 2007, higher-than-expected pigs per litter will partly offset farrowing declines and result in more available hogs for first-half 2009 slaughter compared to expectations a month ago.

USDA boosted its 2008 U.S. pork production forecast by 95 million pounds to nearly 23.5 billion pounds, and increased its 2009 pork production forecast by about 55 million pounds to about 22.77 billion pounds. Pork exports in 2008 are now forecast at about 4.56 billion pounds, up from 4.27 billion pounds forecast a month ago, and 2009 exports are now pegged at nearly 4.14 billion pounds, up from about 3.99 billion forecast in June.

US Pork Prices Stable
Retail pork prices are expected to remain steady through the summer months as consumers trade down to chicken from beef in reaction to the weak economy, but pork demand remains steady, according to a new Rabobank report. In its "U.S. Pork" report, the bank noted that pork is less affected than other proteins by the foodservice sector, which is suffering as consumers spend less on meals outside the home. Rabobank also predicted U.S. hog producers would return to breakeven, after losing as much as $50 per head so far this year, on the expectation that sow slaughter levels will continue to accelerate

International Prices
Click here for the latest international prices