An excellent opportunity to invest in pigs is offered by the introduction of the Single Payment Scheme (SPS), believes Roger Smith, sales manager of Staffordshire-based ARM Buildings Ltd.
"The pig industry has always been disadvantaged compared with most other sectors of agriculture and has had to stand on its own feet without subsidies," he says.
De-coupling payments from production means that farmers can now spend their single farm payment on whatever they feel offers the best return. As a previously-unsupported sector, the pig industry has a lot going for it, he maintains. Having already gone through cut-backs and restructuring, it is now closer to the market place and ready for expansion.
In particular, with falling grain prices, investment in pigs offers arable farmers a way of increasing farm income especially if linked to a group or scheme with a guaranteed market or a partnership arrangement. By mixing their own feed arable farmers could also add value to their cereals by walking the grain off the farm on four legs.
"The easiest way of getting into pigs is through contract finishing. This would normally involve establishing a secure supply of weaners and putting up modern, cost-effective houses needing minimal labour costs to run.. These are more efficient and offer a better return in the long run than converted buildings," he said.
"There is a growing demand for pigmeat and the pig sector has certainly proved its ability to survive without support."
