New director sought for fallen stock company

The National Fallen Stock Company (NFSCo) is seeking a new board director with experience of the pig industry.

NFSCo is the nationwide service for the collection and disposal of fallen stock. It is looking for a director who understands the livestock sector and its challenges – and who can relate to the context of the business with a degree of empathy for the people involved.

The company's aims and objectives include promoting high biosecurity levels while finding ways of reducing the cost of fallen stock disposal.

NFSCo says creating competition between fallen stock collectors helps keep prices low to farmers.

Cost-effective

The advert for a new board member does not specify a particular sector. But the new appointee will replace former National Pig Association regional director Ian Campbell – and the NPA says someone with a similar background will help NFSCo refine its service for pig producers.

The NFSCo board provides high-level oversight of company activities and performance while making decisions on behalf of stakeholders.

Previous board or committee experience is desirable, as is an understanding of operational processes, current technology and strategic planning.

NFSCo chairman Michael Seals said: “This is an opportunity for a forward-thinking livestock farming or veterinary professional to join our board to help shape and manage a service that is vital to the farming community.

“In return, being a member of the NFSCo Board will provide a platform to meet influential, and well-connected people in our industry and those associated with us. A rewarding role that will challenge your thinking.”

The non-executive paid role involves four two-day board meetings annually, plus other strategic meetings as required, totalling 10-12 days per year. The closing date for applications is Friday, 14 April.

For full details, email Jane Rockingham at jane@nfsco.co.uk.

Check inlets to optimise controlled ventilation

Pig producers are being reminded to control ventilation rates accurately during cold weather to ensure pig welfare and avoid wasting energy.

“We often think about where we set temperature and minimum ventilation rates, but it’s easy to forget that the most important component of the ventilation system is the inlet – where the air comes in,” says Farmex ventilation specialist Hugh Crabtree.

Modern inlets usually involve a mechanised set of plastic units with a winch motor and cord. But these can stick if they become dirty or need adjusting.

“For the sake of good environmental control and energy saving, do it now,” says Mr Crabtree.

excreted by the birds.

Changes to Wynnstay poultry diets have shown a 13.4% reduction in poultry phosphate excretion can be achieved through simple changes, which lower the requirement for monocalcium phosphate (MCP).

Wynnstay head of poultry Jim Turner says feed rations were adapted after concerns around phosphate pollution from poultry farms. Rations were adapted to reduce phosphate requirements, thereby reducing potential excretion, he added.

A triple dose of a phytase enzyme was added to all layer diets, with a 10.4% reduction in total phosphorus content in the diet – and a 13.4% reduction in phosphorus excre tion per bird per year, said Mr Turner.

Saving money

This was achieved by birds mo bilising bound phosphorus from the raw materials. As a result, the inclusion of MCP could be re duced – helping to save producers money while being good for the environment.

The revised rations required lower levels of monocalcium phosphate.

Below: Simple changes made a big difference, says Jim Turne

"It’s important to have an alternative option that doesn’t affect the cost of the ration or the performance of the bird, and therefore the most economic and sustainable option is to increase the dose of the phytase enzyme.”

Premier Nutrition poultry nutritionist Eloise Lawlor worked alongside Wynnstay to change the rations. A proportion of phosphorus found in poultry diets is in the form of phytate phosphorus which is indigestible and an anti-nutritional factor, she said.

Anti-nutritional factors can influence nutrient utilisation, so reducing MCP levels and incorporating a triple dose of a phytase enzyme where suitable can increase calcium and phosphate availability and utilisation.

“This results in improved feed efficiency and reduces the amount of phosphorus being bypassed and excreted by the bird,” explains Ms Lawlor.

With MCP being a finite resource and phosphate pollution high on the agenda, changing feed rations is seen as a win-win. It can increase efficiency while protecting bird health, welfare and the environment.

We manufacture a range of controls to operate fans, heating, ventilation, temperature alarms and dusk/dawn dimmers. All are designed for agricultural use and are user friendly.

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