of the Pork Pie

However, having guaranteed prices for pigs leaving your holding or price per pigs kept per week can prove a successful business model for any farmer. Keeping pigs on your farm on a bed and breakfast basis can provide an additional source of income for farmers wishing to diversify and utilise existing sheds. The contracts can see newly weaned piglets (7.5kg) or weaners (30kg) kept right up until they have reached fat weight of 110kg.

Pigs can be kept in vacant sheds, where straw bedding is used and dry feed is given. Alternatively, purpose built slatted accommodation can be invested in and allow for liquid feeding. The expenditure to bring these sheds up to standard falls in the hands of the farmer. Return on investment for adapting the vacant sheds is usually recoupable within the first year of operations.

The design of the sheds and courts is very important. They need to be well ventilated to ensure good air quality and temperature control. It is essential there is a good water supply as finishing pigs can drink up to 6 litres per day. Ensuring that daily jobs such as feeding and bedding can be carried out efficiently without causing stress on the pigs is vital. Furthermore, making sure that pigs can be loaded in a safe and efficient manner is vital as upset and stress on them can lead to issues such as tail biting.

Attention to detail in the stockmanship role is key as often behaviours like tail biting and bullying within the pens can arise with little warning. Pigs must be separated when this happens and usually the pig in question can’t be returned to the pen as it will be targeted again. Having a separate pen where these pigs can be kept may prove advantageous.

Bed and breakfasting pigs brings several benefits to a farm. If the pigs are kept in straw beds, this can be used later down the line as dung for the fields, adding organic matter to the soil and providing a cost efficient fertiliser. Fattening pigs also isn’t a land dependent enterprise therefore this grazing can be kept for cattle and sheep. Moreover, the cash intake isn’t seasonal. Pigs can be fattened at any time throughout the year. The only drawback would be if the sheds are required for the likes of lambing or grain storage, during in the year. n beth.dandie@galbraithgroup.com