PORCUS
August/September 2010 Vol 28 no 5
• SAPPO’S annual general meeting
• Highlights of the provincial annual
general meetings
• Compartments: Have you joined yet?
Inhoud
Inhoud/Contents
SAVPO
P
N
PORCUS
Aktueel
August/September 2010
Vol 28birthday
no 5
Happy
Charles Street!
A hundred chicks and counting
Farmers and vets: What about me? THE PIG
Is a farmer’s wife also his employee?
Optimising production efficiency is the key
Pig production in ten years from now
Aktueel
Isprofi
Coccidiosis
Growing young pigs
tably . . . . .silently
. . . . . . .wasting
. . . . . . . your
. . . . .products?
. . . . . . . .4
OVS AJV: Shane neem
leisels
die Vrystaat
. . . .at. .the
. . . seams”
. . . . . . . . .6
Swine
flu inhoax
“fallingoor
apart
Highlights of the KZN
Pork Producers’ AGM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
International
Hoogtepunte van die
Varkvleisprodusente se algemene
ToKaaplandse
taste
jaarvergadering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Mistral reduces pre-weaning mortality and improves p
Highlights of PPP’s annual general meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Batch system ideal for increased, healthy production
SAPPO AGM and Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Spoilt for choice: So many options for PCV2 vaccination . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Rubrieke
Zoonotic diseases of pigs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Global G.A.P.: The Statistical
global partnership
for Good Agricultural Practices . . . 33
Review
Supermarket chain cuts out castration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Sappo News
Pondering Points
Registered compartments as at the end of August 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Rubrieke
Pondering Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
PORCUS is die amptelike tydskrif
van die Suid-Afrikaanse
Varkvleisprodusente-organisasie (SAVPO).
Redaksionele Komitee
James Jenkinson (voorsitter: SAVPO),
PORCUS
is die
amptelike tydskrif
Peter Mockford
(vise-voorsitter:
SAVPO), Simon Streicher (hoofbestuurvan
die Suid-Afrikaanse
der: SAVPO)
Varkvleisprodusente-organisasie
Redaksie
Derick van der Walt (redakteur),
(SAVPO).
Tel: (012) 332 1589 of 082 770 5111
E-pos: [email protected]
Salomé Schutte. Tel:
(012) 329 3764
Redaksionele
Komitee
SAPPO
James
Jenkinson (voorsitter:
Advertensies
Doreen Jonker, Millerstraat 3, Pierre
SAVPO),
van RyneveldPeter
0157.Mockford (viseTel (012) 662SAVPO),
1006.
voositter,
Simon Streicher
Faks (012) 662 1006
(hoofbestuurder: SAVPO)
Porcus August/September 2010
Redaksie
Reproduksie
Mandi Repro en Print
Gedruk deur
Business Print Centre, Pretoria.
Uitgegee deur die Suid-Afrikaanse
Varkvleisprodusente-organisasie,
Salomé Schutte. Tel: (012) 3293764
Posbus 36207, Menlo Park 0102.
Tel: (012) 361-3920.
Faks:
(012) 361-4069
Advertensies
E-mail: [email protected]
Doreen Jonker,
Millerstraat 3, Pierre
Web-bladsy:
www.sapork.com
van Ryneveld 0157.
SAVPO aanvaar nie verantwoordelikheid
enige662
aanspraak
in
Tel vir
(012)
1006 wat
of 0721236695
advertensies en artikels gemaak
Faks
1006 in artikels
word
nie. (012)
Menings662
uitgespreek
word
nie
noodwendig
deur SAVPO
E-pos:[email protected]
onderskryf nie.
Opinions expressed in articles are
not necessarily endorsed by SAPPO.
Reproduksie: Mandi Repro en Print,
Gedruk deur Business Print3Centre,
Pretoria.
NUTRITION
Growing young pigs
profitably
By Tracy Meyer, MG2MIX
The period from birth to 70 days has
been shown to be critical in the later
growth of the pig. The question whether
creep feeding is worth investing money
in and the effort required to make it effective has been contemplated over the
years.
The feed conversion rate for young
pigs is around 1:1 (feed:gain) and
therefore the benefits of creep feeding in
terms of enhanced weaning weight are
proportional to the amount of creep feed
consumed (Mavromichalis, 2006). In production systems where weaning occurs
between three and four weeks of age, it
is unlikely that the intake of creep feed is
sufficient to increase weaning weight in
a substantial way. However, it has been
shown that there is an increase in digestive ensymes (amylases and proteases)
following creep feeding. These ensymes
are required for digesting the nutrients
found in diets post-weaning. Increased
development of the digestive system
may result in reduced digestive upsets
(Hampson, 1986) and enhanced feed
intake and growth post-weaning.
Together with veterinarians and nutritionists MG2MIX has developed a range
of feeds for pigs, specifically formulated
for the South African pig farming environment. We have developed a strong
relationship with Denkavit in Holland
and have imported Denkapig Baby
Wean©.
Denkapig Baby Wean© has been
specifically developed for piglets weaned
between three and 6kg of liveweight. In
practice, Denkapig Baby Wean© has
also proven its potency as an excellent
booster to be applied to suckling piglets
starting from four days of age. Because
of the high intake, resistance to diseases
is maintained and mortality risks are
reduced.
distinguishably stable as a liquid feed.
• Contains a very high level of dairy
products and other easily digestible
ingredients
• Attractive smell and taste stimulate an
early and rapidly increasing intake.
Suplementary feed
Denkapig Baby Wean© may be fed as
a supplementary feed for suckling pigs,
or after weaning to piglets weaned at a
lighter weight than desired to increase
the uniformity of the litter. Denkapig
Baby Wean© can be offered as a dry
feed, but preferably as a liquid feed (porridge) by mixing 1kg of feed with 1.5kg
of water. The feeding schedule is based
on 20g/piglet/day for the first four days,
thereafter increasing amounts of up to
50g/piglet/day, never exceeding 500/g/
piglet for period fed. The feed should be
offered several times daily in small portions to ensure that the product is fresh
and to prevent overeating.
Denkapig Baby Wean© encourages a high feed intake and subsequent
growth, even in the case of very light piglets. Runts recover, and will keep up with
the rest of the litter more easily, resulting
in more homogenous groups. Heavier
and stronger piglets will have better
resistance against disease. Because of
this they will also perform better in the
fattening phase (www.denkavit.com).
The diets designed by MG2MIX have
been formulated to meet the physiological requirements of the pig at the
introduction of the feed. Fibre in diets for
young pigs decreases nutrient digestibililty and dilutes energy density. Jump
Start© and Link Feed© are low fibre,
high energy diets which will enhance the
continued on p. 6
Properties:
• Easily soluble in cold water.
• Extraordinary homogeneous and
4
Porcus Augustus/September 2010
AGM 2010
Porcus June/July 2010
5
NUTRITION
Growing young... continued from p. 4
growth of the piglet. Diets with imbalanced energy:protein (amino acids)
may result in decreased feed intake and
therefore reduced growth.
Jump Start© and Link Feed© are
balanced in terms of the ideal amino
acid ratio. Jump Start© and Link
Feed© also contain high levels of dairy
byproducts which not only contribute to
the nutrient profile of the feed, but also
contribute to the improved palatability.
Jump Start© and Link Feed© both
contain organic acids as well as probiot-
ics, which assist with the digestion of the
nutrients and a healthy gut micro flora respectively. Jump Start© also contains
antibiotics which reduce post-weaning
scours.
The Jump Start© and Link Feed©
feeding regime should be followed according to the specifications in Table 1.
It is important to remember that the
young pig is unable to digest raw maize
efficiency until about five to six weeks
of age. Jump Start© contains no raw
maize. The Jump Start© pellet is made
using a double milling process which ensures particle size is to the requirement
of the piglet for maximum digestibility.
Jump Start© and Link Feed©
should be fed in combination to achieve
the maximum results. At MG2MIX we
believe in a holistic way in formulating
pig feeds. Our driving force is GROWING
YOUNG PIGS PROFITIBLY. By using
Jump Start© and Link Feed© you will
be sure to see happy healthy pigs at 70
days of age.
References available on request.
Jump Start©
Crumbles / 2mm pellet
Fed from day 14 – day 38 / 42*
Maximum intake of 4kg/piglet
Link Feed©
3 mm pellet
Fed from day 38 / 42* - day 56
Maximum intake of 12kg/piglet
Weaner One
3 mm pellet
Fed from day 56 – day 70
Maximum intake of 18kg/piglet
*depending on your farm system
OVS AJV: Shane neem die leisels
in die Vrystaat oor
Shane Cotty is die nuwe voorsitter van
die Vrystaatse Varkvleisprodusente-vereniging. Hy volg dr Edgar Payne op wat
vir 16 jaar die wa deur die drif moes trek.
Afgevaardigdes by die vereniging se algemene jaarvergadering in Bloemfontein
het indringend oor die voortbestaan van
die vereniging besin omdat dit voorkom
asof sommige varkvleisprodusente traag
is om die vereniging te ondersteun. Cotty
het by die vergadering gesê dat die
vereniging in ‘n oorlewingstryd gewikkel
is.
“Dit is tyd om hard te praat. Ek kry die
indruk ons het gestagneer en ons moet
nou uit dié gat klim en vorentoe beweeg.
Ons moet doelwitte vir die vereniging
stel. Van al die provinsies doen ons
die minste.” Hy het ook ‘n beroep op
produsente gedoen om passievol oor die
vereniging te wees.
Na indringende bespreking het die
vergadering besluit om lede se vrywillige
bydrae van 10c per slagvark na R2 te
verhoog. Dié geld sal hoofsaaklik vir promosies in die provinsie aangewend word
en om die vereniging se sekretariaat te
finansier. Daar gaan gevra word dat die
lede-bydrae by abattoirs afgetrek word.
Briewe aan produsente en abattoirs oor
die aangeleentheid gaan eersdaags uit6
gestuur word. Die vereniging beoog om
‘n nuwe begroting vir die res van die jaar
op te stel. Die vereniging gaan ook poog
om produsente wat nie tans betrokke is
nie, aan boord te kry.
Gustaf van der Merwe is die orga-
nisasie se vise-voorsitter en die volgende
persone is ook op die raad verkies: Jan
Boy (Bloemhof), Charles en Raedun
Malherbe (Kimberley), John Wesserink
(Bothaville), Deon Greyling (Brandfort) en
Geoff Leach (Bloemfontein).
1
4
2
5
3
1. André le Roux (Bethlehem), Shane Cotty (nuwe
voorsitter van die VVPV), Johan Smit (Bloemfontein) en James Jenkinson (nasionale voorsitter
van SAVPO) 2. Petus Steynberg (Bloemfontein),
Jan Boy (Bloemhof) en Charles en Raedun Malherbe (Kimberley) 3. John Weserink (Bothaville)
en Xolile Dasheka (Bloemfontein) 4. Liz Wolff,
Babs Bochenek, Anita Coetzer en Bettie Luyke,
promosiedames van die Vrystaat 5. Deon Greyling (Brandfort), Sally Bosman (SAVPO) en Gustaf
van der Merwe (Bothaville).
Porcus Augustus/September 2010
ANIMAL HEALTH
Continued on p 8
Porcus June/July 2010
7
AGMs
Highlights of the KZN Pork
Producers’ AGM
Imports
counteract good
promotion
results
Although pork promotions have succeeded in an increase in the per capita
consumption of pork, imports have
resulted in South African producers not
receiving the much needed lift in profitability, said Barry Gibbs, chairman of the
KZN Pork Producers at the association’s
annual general meeting. “We will in future
have to look at ways to promote South
African pork, not only to the consumer,
but also to the middle man who buys our
product.”
Gibbs said that if the South African
pork industry does not succeed in hav-
ing an anti-dumping measure introduced
to curb imports from Canada, they only
have themselves to blame. “I am very
disappointed at the poor response from
producers in submitting figures to support SAPPO’s application,” he said.
Already 30
compartments
on board
There are already 30 pig units, representing about 25 000 sows, that are registered in terms of SAPPO’s compartmentalisation system, said James Jenkinson,
SAPPO national chairman at the annual
general meeting. “The compartments will
make it possible for SAPPO to insist that
imports are only allowed from countries
without diseases such as PRRS as these
Land: Organised agriculture will
not compromise on free market
Organised agriculture will not compromise its believe that land reform must not
be in conflict with free market principals
or the South African constitution, said
Robin Barnsley, president of Kwanalu,
at the annual general meeting. Barnsley
told delegates that Kwanalu is compiling
a database of land and land ownership
in the province “to have a clear picture
of what the current situation is.” This is
being conducted in cooperation with the
deed’s office in the province.
“Organised agriculture does not have
a good image with regard to land issues.
People may have the perception that we
are destructive, which is not the case. We
are however busy with plans to address
this communication problem,” he said.
diseases are not prevalent in South African herds. Jenkinson urged producers
not yet on board, to participate.
Why do SA
producers not
wean 30 pigs
per sow a year?
Dr Pieter Grimbeek, a consultant from
Potchefstroom, addressed this question
at the annual general meeting and said
that while South African producers are
trying hard to achieve this benchmark
figure in pig production, many farmers in
other countries are already contemplating
35 piglets weaned per sow per year. “This
is however not a race but a process and
it takes time to turn the ship,” he said.
Dr Grimbeek listed the following factors that hamper South African producers in this regard:
• We do not pay enough attention to
our gilts.
• Our sows are too fat.
• Our housing leaves much to be desired.
• Our pre-weaning mortalities are too
high.
• Our conception and farrowing values
are poor.
continued on p. 11
Mike Lloyd (Epol), Barry Gibbs (chairman, KZNPPO) and Hayley
Jan Oosthuizen (Coprex), Derek Dickson (Camperdown), Sipho Ndlovo and Rodney
Jackson (KZNPPO).
Khumalo (both from Nkululeko Farm Trust).
8
Porcus Augustus/September 2010
PROMOTION
Porcus June/July 2010
9
STUDIEGROEPE
10
Porcus Junie/Julie 2010
AGMs
Highlights of the KZN continued from p. 8
Participation in
various shows
a highlight
Apart from the KZN promotions team’s
successful in-store promotion, participation in various shows was a highlight
on the promotions calendar, according
to Sally Wilson, promotions lady for
Pietermaritzburg. The team participated
in the Nedbank Eston Show, the Sunday
Tribune Garden and Leisure Show, the
Parklane Food and Wine Festival and the
Royal Show. Various promotional items
(some linked to the soccer world cup)
and recipes were handed to the public.
Cooking demonstrations also ensured
that South African pork was again
brought to the attention of consumers at
these shows, Wilson said.
In store promotions result
in better sales for traders,
say promotion team
According to Heather Cullinan, promotion lady for Durban,
traders are delighted with the promotion team’s in-store promotions as the demonstrations result in improved sales. “We
now have five promotion ladies in Durban and we are doing
40 promotions a month.
We regularly work at Pick ‘n Pay (Umhlanga), Pick ‘n Pay (La Lucia), Kensington Spar (Durban North), Bluff Meats (Springfield Park) and Gateway
Checkers Hyperama.” Cullinan said many traders were however disappointed with sales during the world cup period as these did not improve as
expected.
Ralf Gevers (HMB Trust), Jurgens Reynders and Alteli de Villiers (both
Ingrid Steyl (Boehringer Ingelheim), Liz Skea (Elanco) and Minkie Gibbs
from PIC/Kanhym) and Mark Surendorff (Meadow).
(Pro Pig Development).
Christopher Volbrecht, Brodwyn van Zyl and Vijay Jinabhai (all from FR
Andrew Crooks (Howick), Dr. Pieter Grimbeek (Potchefstroom) and Miles
Waring Feeds).
van Deventer (Baynesfield Estate).
Porcus August/September 2010
11
AJV’s
Hoogtepunte van die Kaaplandse
Varkvleisprodusente (KVPV) se
algemene jaarvergadering
Richer population good news for
agriculture
South Africa’s population is getting richer
and this is good news for agriculture,
said prof Nick Vink of the University
of Stellenbosch at the annual general
meeting. “The growth in the demand for
agricultural products is increasing and
the next decade will be a good one for
agriculture,” he said.
“The record rise in prices during 20062008 spurred agricultural growth. Nominal agricultural GDP and net farm income
grew by 15% and 40% respectively in
2006-2008. Commodity prices declined
from the end of 2008 and reversed this
trend, so that income and value added
growth declined in 2009 and 2010. On
average the baseline projects will show
modest growth over 2011 to 2019 as a
result of increasing commodity prices and
economic recovery.
“Although agricultural commodity
prices have declined from the 2007/08
spike, they are now at a new plateau.
Uncertainty exists around short-run price
movements. The main drivers are the
demand for poultry, pork and dairy products (hence also animal feed) from Asia,
and diversion to biofuels in the USA. The
main short run drivers are supply factors
and stock levels,” he said.
Varkgesondheid ‘n prioriteit in die
Wes-Kaap
Die gesondheidstatus van varke in die
Wes-Kaap is oor die algemeen goed,
volgens Hennie Cronjé, voorsitter van
die Kaaplandse Varkvleisprodusenteorganisasie. “Staatsveeartse hou ‘n oog
oor die kuddes en maak seker dat die
kuddes gesond is. Veeartse woon ook
vergaderings van die KVPV se raad by
om terugvoer oor ons gesondheidstatus
te gee. Opkomende boere se kuddes
word ook gereeld gemonitor en hulle
word met die nodige kennis oor die
regte voeding en die hantering van varke
toegerus.
12
“Hawens bly egter steeds die grootste risiko met die inbring van afvalkos en
eksotiese siektes. Dit bly elke produsent
se verantwoordelikheid om aan minimum
biosekuriteitstandaarde te voldoen. Die
noodsaaklikheid dat biosekuriteit vanaf
die plaas tot by die abattoir gehandhaaf
moet word, word ook aan abattoireienaars gekommunikeer. Produsente
word aangeraai om toe te sien dat die
vragmotorbestuurders wat varke vervoer
ook biosekuriteitsvereistes eerbiedig,”
het Cronjé gesê.
Meer geld vir promosies
Die Kaaplandse varkvleisprodusente-vereniging het besluit om sy vrywillige heffing van R4 per vark na R5.20 per vark
te verhoog. Dié geld word hoofsaaklik vir
promosies gebruik. Pieter de Jager, visevoorsitter van die vereniging het gesê
dat geld wat die KVPV aan promosies
bestee ‘n goeie belegging is. “Verskeie
voorspellings meen dat varkvleisverbruik
nie veel oor die volgende vyf jaar gaan
groei nie. Ons sal meer fondse aan bemarking moet spandeer,” het hy gesê.
Promosies: Uitdaging om tred te hou
met media-inflasie
Die grootste uitdaging vir die promosiespan is om tred te hou met media-inflasie, wat baie hoog is. As ons begroting nie hiermee tred hou nie, gaan ons
agter raak. Dit was die boodskap van
Marieta Human, Wes-Kaap se promosiekoördineerder by die algemene
jaarvergadering. Human het gesê dat dit
noodsaaklik is om varkvleis te promoveer
“omdat varkvleis ‘n hoë risiko-aankoop
vir die verbruiker is. Daar is steeds negatiewe persepsies rondom varkvleis wat,
hoewel dit mites is, in die verbruiker se
kop bly vassteek. Ons moet sorg dat die
verbruiker wetenskaplike feite oor onder
meer die voedingswaarde van varkvleis
kry. Hulle moet ook geleer word om varkvleis reg gaar te maak,” het sy gesê.
Verskeie reklameprojekte afgelope
jaar in die Wes-Kaap
Die Wes-Kaapse promosiespan het talle
reklameprojekte die afgelope jaar in die
Wes-Kaap aangepak, het Marieta Human, Wes-Kaap se promosiekoördineerder by die vergadering gesê. ‘n Byeenkoms met handelaars in die provinsie
in Maart vanjaar was ‘n groot sukses en
die geleentheid is benut om handelaars
in te lig oor wat Wes-Kaapse produsente
doen om varkvleis te reklameer. “Dit
is noodsaaklik om die handelaars se
samewerking met promosies te hê,” het
Human gesê.
‘n Ander hoogtepunt was ‘n baie
suksesvolle promosie met Spar wat tot
heelwat hoër verkope van varkvleis by
die groep gelei het. Hierbenewens word
verskeie varkvleisresepte versprei en die
buiteligborde se kunswerke word elke
twee maande vervang. “Ons buiteligbord by die Kaapse Waterfront was baie
gesog tydens die sokkerwêreldbeker en
daar was adverteerders wat baie wou
betaal om dié advertensieruimte by ons
te koop,” het Human gesê.
Daar was ook ‘n geslaagde verbruikerskompetisie en advertensies in
verskeie koerante, soos die weeklikse
advertensie by Die Burger se weerrubriek,” het Human gesê. ‘n Projek word
vir September saam met Deli Spices
beplan terwyl die promosiedames steeds
gereeld opleidingsessies oor varkvleis by
verskeie opleidingsentrums gee.
Stutêre heffing by minister vir
goedkeuring
SAVPO se aansoek vir ‘n voortsetting
van die statutêre heffing is deur die
Nasio-nale Landboubemarkingsraad
aanbeveel en is tans by die Minister van
Landbou vir goedkeuring, het Simon
Streicher, hoofbestuurder van SAVPO,
by die vergadering gesê. Die aansoek is
vir ‘n periode van vier jaar. “Die grootste gedeelte van die fondse word vir
reklamedoeleindes gebruik. Die fondse
Porcus Augustus/September 2010
AJV’s
word verantwoordelik aangewend.
State word jaarliks geoudit en streng
voorwaardes vir die aanwending van die
fondse word deur die Bemarkingsraad
voorgeskryf. Ons moet ook elke jaar
aan die Bemarkingsraad hieroor verslag
doen,” het Streicher gesê.
Inligting dringend benodig vir SAVPO
se aansoek
Dit is teleurstellend dat so min produsente gereageer het op SAVPO se
oproep vir inligting om die organisasie
se aansoek vir ‘n anti-stortingsmaatreël
teen invoere van Kanada ingestel te kry,”
het James Jenkinson, SAVPO se nasionale voorsitter by die vergadering gesê.
“Ons moes syfers verteenwoordigend van ten minste 50% van die bedryf
voorlê maar het syfers van net 30% van
produsente ontvang. Hiervan was uiteindelik slegs 28% bruikbaar. Die aansoek
aan die Departement van Handel en Nywerheid is intussen na SAVPO terugverwys vir addisionele inligting. As produsente
hierdie slag nie betyds reageer nie moet
ons myns insiens die aansoek los.
Produsente moet egter in gedagte hou
dat as ons aansoek misluk, ons eers
weer oor vyf jaar vir só ‘n maatreël mag
aansoek doen,” het Jenkinson gesê.
Onthou die verwyderingsertifikate
Produsente moet onthou dat wanneer
varke vervoer word, die vrag van ‘n verwyderingsertifikaat vergesel moet wees.
Christiaan van Lamp, wat die KVPV op
die Wes-Kaap se veediefstalkomitee
verteenwoordig, het gesê boere wat van
private sekuriteitmaatskappye gebruik
maak, ook moet onthou om veediefstalsake by die polisie aan te meld.
“Die veediefstalkomitee het hulle dank
uitgespreek dat varkboere so vinnig aan
die vereiste dat varke getatoeëer moet
word, voldoen het,” het Van Lamp by die
vergadering gesê.
SA only country to eradicate PRRS
twice
South Africa is the only country that
could manage to eradicate PRRS twice.
The veterinary authorities should receive
credit for their contribution in this regard,
said Dr Jim Robinson, a Western Cape
Arrie Huyster (Malmesbury), James Jenkinson
(nasionale voorsitter van SAVPO) en Kevin Maart
(USAAA).
Wolfie Louw (Norpharn), Simon Streicher (hoofbestuurder van SAVPO) en Pierre Smith (Virbac).
John Fourie (Roelcor), Pieter de Jager (ondervoorsitter) en Carl Opperman (Agri Wes-kaap).
Claire Beck (promosiedame), Mike Jack (Hazeley
Pig), Lana Verster (Winelands Pork) en Sharon Ulrich
(Winelands Pork).
Porcus August/September 2010
veterinarian, at the meeting. Dr Robinson
said that both PRRS and CSF have been
eradicated in the province. “This does
not mean however that we will not get
another disease. There are many more
viruses and pig diseases in the world
than 20 years ago. We will one day get
another one,” he said.
Permits for moving pigs not to be
dropped
A request by the veterinary authorities to
not further issue permits for the movement of pigs was referred by delegates
at the annual general meeting to the
Western Cape Pork Producers’ board
for consideration. According to Dr Jim
Robinson, a veterinarian, the Directorate
of Animal Health is of the opinion that
the issuing of permits serves no purpose
as the producers who comply with the
regulation are not those who pose a
threat to the disease status of the Western Cape. Many others however do not
comply with the regulation. The system
also entails a tiresome administrative
effort, Dr Robinson said.
Hennie Cronjé (voorsitter), Heinrich Coetzee
(Worcester), Cilliers Louw (Keibees Boerdery) en
Phillip Hörstmann (PCH Boerdery).
Jaco de Jager (Riebeeck-Wes), Johan de Clercq
(Profile Feeds), Hannes van der Westhuyzen (Profile
Feeds) en Gerrit Ferreira (Profile Feeds).
13
FEEDING
Longside ad
14
Porcus Junie/Julie 2010
AGMs
Highlights of PPP’s annual
general meeting
Return on investment
not what it should be
Pork producers are not running at a
loss, but their return on investment is
definitely not what it should be, said
Peter Mockford in his chairman’s report
at the PPP annual general meeting.
“Although feed prices have come
down, all other costs have risen. It is
interesting to note that in years past
the producer price for porkers was at
least 40% of the consumer price in the
fresh meat market. Today it is only about
30%. The producer price for bacon used
to be equivalent to about 25% of the
final price, now it is only 19% of the final
price.
“It would seem that producers are
expected to become super efficient,
but this does obviously not apply to
everyone down the line. This means that
although the producer price is down by
Porcus August/September 2010
12%, the consumer price has stayed
the same. Perhaps exporting a certain
percentage of production would help
address this problem,” Mockford said.
He highlighted the following achievements for PPP the past year:
Electronic newsletter
PPP initiated its own newsletter in the
beginning of 2010, with Boehringer-Ingelheim as sponsor.
Bio-gas project
A lot of work has gone into this project
and much has been achieved.
Exports
A steering committee has overseen
the project to investigate the export
readiness of the SA Pork Industry and a
detailed report is ready.
Promotions
The Porkalicious campaign will soon run in
60 different butcheries.
Quality assurance
The number of farms participating in the
Quality Assurance Scheme has grown
substantially. There is now representation
countrywidefromfarmsintheEastern
andWesternCape,KwaZulu-Nataland
the Free State.
Imports
PPP acted as a consultant to SAPPO for
the anti-dumping investigation. The updatedapplicationwassubmittedtoITAC
inAugustandITAC’sreplyisawaited
as to whether it would proceed with the
application.
Compliance guideline
PPP has initiated a process to compile
a legal compliance guideline for South
African pork producers. This should be
completed before the end of the year.
continued on p. 16
15
AGMs
@PPP... continued from p. 15
Statutêre heffing: Minister se
goedkeuring nog afgewag
Die varkvleisbedryf wag vir
goedkeuring van die Minister van
Landbou, Bosbou en Visserye
voordat die nuwe statutêre heffing op 1 November vir ‘n periode
van vier jaar in werking kan tree,
het die hoof uitvoerende beampte
van SAVPO, Simon Streicher,
tydens die algemene jaarvergadering gesê.
Die nuwe heffing wat van toepassing sal
wees, is van R6 per slagvark na R7 verhoog. Hy het gesê die vorige heffing was
baie suksesvol en kan as een van die
suksesverhale van die bedryf bestempel word. Ingevolge dié heffing is R2,2
miljoen vir die bedryf ingevorder.
Voluntary CSF and PRRS
information being
levy
verified
increases
Producers unanimously supported the increasing of the organisation’s voluntary contribution from
R1.65 to R2/sow/month at the
annual general meeting.
The new levy will be applicable as from
1 October 2010.
SAPPO is busy verifying all the
information received from the
different provinces in the survey
done on Classical Swine Fever
and PRRS, said Dr Peter Evans,
health officer of SAPPO.
SAPPO decided to conduct this survey
in cooperation with the National Veterinary Services to determine whether all
provinces are free of Classical Swine
Fever and PRRS. As far as PRRS is
concerned, the focus is on minimising
risks. This includes surveillance at all
harbour ports. The Department of Agriculture proved to be efficient in policing
harbours.
Dr Evans said the protocol on raw
imported pork is nearly finished, and is
a dynamic and progressive way to keep
PRRS out of the country.
A total of 28 000 sows are currently
compartmentalised on 35 farms. This is
also a way of minimising risks, he said.
Kim Rushman (Green Vet Group), Tosca Kotzé
Joey en Christo Steyn en Ronel Jacobsz, almal
Barry Gibbs (KZN-PPO), Matthew Hayden (Trade
(Multipig) en Phil Spencer (Mockford Farms)
van Mockford Farms.
Plus Aid) en Pierre Smith (Virbac)
Simon en Bets Streicher (SAVPO) en Johan
Wessel Whitehead (Big Dutchman), Hayley Jack- Jacobus Hoffman (PPP), Ron Ijpelaar (Schippers
Minnaar (Pretoria)
son (KZNPPO) en Minkie Gibbs (Pro Pig
Europe BV) en Peter Mockford (PPP)
Development)
16
Porcus Augustus/September 2010
AGMs
Siektevrye status
moontlik eersdaags
erken
Suid-Afrika is skoon van Europese Varkpes en PRRS, het Johan van der Walt, voorsitter van
SAVPO se Gesondheidskomitee,
by die algemene jaarvergadering
gesê. Suid-Afrika se siektevrye
status moet nog net deur die
wêreldgesondheidsorganisasie,
die OIE, bevestig word.
Die Gesondheidskomitee gaan nou sterk
fokus op die kompartementalisering van
produsente. Die oogmerk is om 80%
van alle varkvleisprodusente gekompartementaliseer te hê. Van der Walt het
‘n beroep op produsente gedoen om
hierby in te skakel.
Promotion campaign
to be implemented
sooner
The PPP promotion campaign
will next year be implemented
earlier in the year, namely May/
June 2011, because pork sales
are usually not very high in the
winter months, said Charl Braak,
chairman of the PPP Promotions
Committee.
The 2010 Porkalicious independent
butcheries campaign with the slogan,
“Live the porkalicious Lifestyle!” will take
place between 17 September and 30
October 2010.
The idea of the campaign is to link pork
to a healthy lifestyle. It will also have an
educational element with emphasis on
the eating quality of pork. A sms-competition for consumers form part of the
campaign.
Other promotional activities include
participation at Aardklop, the Good
Food and Wine Show and a car wash
campaign. PPP also launched a social
responsibility project that monthly donates pork to needy children.
QA
scheme
to be
rolled out
nationally
The PPP AGM accepted a proposal that the PPP Quality Assurance
Scheme be rolled out and implemented on a national level.
Dr Peter Evans, SAPPO’s health officer
who made the proposal on behalf of
John Wright, chairman of the Quality
Assurance Committee of PPP, said that
this was the conclusion of various role
players who attended a PPP workshop
on quality assurance. The scheme
therefore needs to be a national scheme,
inclusive of all provinces, as it will benefit
the entire pork industry.
The workshop also advised that a
South African pork brand should be investigated, as this could be an excellent
way to build consumer loyalty.
The annual general meeting also decided that SAPPO will have to compensate PPP for all the work that has been
done to get the scheme going. PPP
also reserves the right to evaluate the
management of the scheme. The PPP
sub-committee for quality assurance will
exist for another year in a steering and
driving role.
Investment now will have
profound effect on climate
“The investment that takes place
in the next 10 to 20 years will
have a profound effect on the
climate in the second half of
this century and in the next. Our
actions now and over the coming decades could create risks
of major disruption to economic
and social activity, on a scale
similar to those associated with
the great wars and the economic
depression of the first half of the
Porcus August/September 2010
20th century. It will be difficult
or impossible to reverse these
changes”, said Mattew Hayden
from Trade Plus Aid, PPP’s consultant on the Bio-gas project
at the annual general meeting.
“PPP’s biogas project will contribute in this regard,” he said.
According to Hayden eight farms are
already participating in PPP’s Bio-gas
Project. A further eleven lagoons are
earmarked to be developed for biogas
purposes. A full environmental impact
assessment is also in progress.
Al public meetings, scoping reports
and heritage assessments have been
completed for all the sites. The groundwater reports will be completed by the
end of September and the wetland
assessments will commence in mid
September, Hayden said.
continued on p. 32
17
AGMs
SAPPO AGM and Conference:
Imports a big problem in
2009/2010
“This past year has not been any
different than the previous years
with regards to pork producers’
profitability, mainly due to the
world economic situation and
the huge increase in pork imports. Imports in 2009 were at
its highest level ever at 27 214
tons and there has also only been
a slight decrease this year if one
compare the first six months of
2009 (14 810 tons) to the first six
months of 2010 (14 236 tons),”
said James Jenkinson in his
chairman’s address at the annual
general meeting.
“When considering the various countries
export volumes and prices to South
Africa, one can assume that Canada
was exporting very cheap meat to South
Africa last year,” Jenkinson said.
Anti-dumping measure
“SAPPO decided to launch an antidumping action against Canada. We
submitted the application and it is being
reviewed. We await the outcome. Due
to the low response by pork producers
The International Trade Administration
Commission (ITAC) may not take the
action that we require to prevent Canada
from dumping again. If we do not get an
anti-dumping measure in place we can
only blame ourselves. I would however
like to thank all those producers who did
submit their questionnaires as requested. ITAC requested more information for
the first part of 2010 and it is my urgent
wish that producers react very quickly, if
we want an outcome against Canada.”
Jenkinson said the SAPPO Council
is dealing with two important issues at
the moment. Both concern the Competition Board. “SAPPO requested a
team of legal experts to evaluate our
price reporting system to establish if this
system operates within the parameters
of the Competition Act. It seems that
the prices reported must be from all the
South African areas and that they may
only be published four weeks later.
Andrew Terwin (Pfizer), Dr. Wilhelm Mare (Pfizer)
en Harry Mahieu (Instavet).
Jan Theron (Ede Farming), James Jenkinson
(voorsitter van SAVPO) en Leon van der Westhuizen (Protein Feeds).
Laurie en Welma Bosman (Skaduminister van
Landbou vir DA) en Phillip Spencer (Leanside).
Jacob van der Westhuizen (Dalein Plaasbou), Nic
Opperman (Agri SA) en Johan Pretorius (Leanside).
Rob Butt (KZN), Reon Oosthuizen (Kanhym),
Pierre Smith (Virbac) en Raymond Wewege (Ventersdorp).
Jurgens Reynders (PIC/Kanhym), Jabulile
Motaung (Pick n Pay) en Brangan Hulley (KZN).
18
Porcus Augustus/September 2010
AJV’s
Nuwe denke oor grond nodig
‘n Holistiese, vernuwende benadering moet gevolg word wanneer die probleme van grondhervorming aangespreek word. Dié
beker gaan nie by boere verbygaan nie. Uiteindelik gaan daar
net oorlewendes wees, en nie
helde nie. Dit is ook beter om
‘n veldslag as die hele oorlog
te verloor. Boere sal ten minste
die slagveld, omstandighede en
strategie van grondhervorming
kan bepaal as hulle by die proses
betrokke is, het dr Theo de Jager,
vise-president van Agri SA by
SAVPO se konferensie gesê.
Dr De Jager het daarop gewys dat daar
ná 16 jaar nog net vyf persent van die
geteikende 30% landbougrond in SuidAfrika herverdeel is. “Ondanks die feit
dat daar R28 biljoen aan die herverdeling
van grond bestee is, staan die mislukkingsyfer op 90%. Die staat se skuldlas
beloop tans R12 biljoen en daar is ‘n
gebrek aan planne. Restitusie het nie
gewerk nie en mense se verwagtinge is
hemelhoog, maar die prestasievlakke is
laag.”
“Dat daar nie geld vir grondhervorming oor is nie, bly ‘n kopseer. Die aan-
deleskemas het misluk, so ook Agri-BEE
en ‘post-settlement’ pogings. “As daar
na grondhervorming in die res van die
wêreld gekyk word, is ekonomiese en
politieke stabiliteit, voedselsekerheid en
die bestryding van armoede van belang.
Regverdigheid, eiendomsreg, kompensasie, administratiewe regverdigheid,
landbou-uitset en landelike ontwikkeling
is ook belangrike faktore, het dr De
Jager gesê.
Volgens dr De Jager kan grondhervorming op twee verskillende maniere
benader word. “Geforseerde herverdeling van grond was suksesvol in ‘n
land soos Asië. Dit verg egter ‘n sterk
regering met ‘n swak landelike magsbasis. Die oorheersende tema is een van
oorlog en dit word aangevuur deur ‘n
politiese dryfkrag, en nie ‘n wetenskaplike een nie. So ‘n vorm van herverdeling skrik beleggers af en lei tot stadige
ekonomiese groei. “Grondhervorming
wat deur bedinging bewerkstellig word,
was suksesvol in Kanada, Australië en
Duitsland. Dit is markgedrewe.
In Afrika is daar genoeg voorbeelde
van grondhervorming wat dramatiese
negatiewe gevolge vir die land gehad
het.
“Suid-Afrika toon tans vergelykings
Harry Mahieu (Instavet) en dr. Andre Dereu (Alpharma, Belgium).
Porcus August/September 2010
met hierdie lande. Ons geldbronne het
ook opgedroog, kompensasie is ‘n probleem, die vryheid van die media is
op die spel en aangesien daar geen
koördinasie tussen die oordrag van die
grond en die ontwikkeling van die boer is
nie, het produksie gedaal. Voorts is die
polisie onwillig om op te tree teen mense
wat grond onwettig beset, daar is nepotisme en wanadministrasie en plaaswerkers is die eerste slagoffers. Hofbevele word deur die regering geïgnoreer
en die hele grondhervormingsprogram is
gebaseer op ras,” het dr De Jager gesê.
“Suid-Afrika toon egter ook belangrike verskille met die lande waar
grondhervorming skeefgeloop het. In
Suid-Afrika staan die ANC geen gevaar
om in ‘n verkiesing verslaan te word
nie. Oorlogsveterane is nie in ‘n stryd
gewikkel met die beweging vir mense
wat nie grond besit nie. Die media speel
nog ‘n groot rol en daar is ‘n sterk siviele
vennootskap in die land.
“Elemente wat algemeen in suksesverhale gevind word, is ‘n omvattende
databasis van eiendomme, ‘n raamwerk
vir landbou-finansiering, gesonde
administrasie en deelname van alle
betrokkenes,” aldus dr De Jager.
Marieta Human (SAVPO se promosiekoördineerder), Pauli Heins (WesKaap) en Simon Streicher (SAVPO).
19
SAPPO
What will be waiting
for pig farmers over
the next five years?
Creative solutions for waste
water, and high energy costs and
economically-driven SPF farms
are some of the challenges that
wait for pig farmers in the next
five years.
genes in pigs over the next five years
and there will be pressure on breeders to
produce sexed semen for the commercial market.
Dr Andrew Tucker of Charles Street
Veterianry Consultants gave a perspective on the South African Pig industry
between 2005 and 2015 and said the
top producers will wean 30.6 piglets/
sow/year by 2015.
“Scientists will also probably began
with the removal of disease receptive
Systems will also be developed to
ensure that producers do not give away
too much on the last day of production.
Methods such as cameras will fine-tune
selection techniques to ensure that the
right pigs are loaded for the market.
“Animal welfare comes with cost and
because of a need for cheap protein,
Last day
Dr Edgar and Lizette Payne (Free State) and
Peter Mockford (PPP)
animal welfare issues may not be that
big for South African pork producers
over the next five years. Animal welfare
issues are however here to stay and
abattoirs will remain in the spotlight in
this respect,” he said.
New strategies developed
for emerging farmers
During the past year new
strategies have been developed
for SAPPO’s emerging farmer
projects, said Qeda Nyoka, of
SAPPO. “There are new criteria
for mentorship participation,
and mentorship farms must
in future meet certain basic
requirements such as enough
water. The operation must also
have access to enough capital
to make it a success,” he said.
Dieter Labuschagne (Pretoria Primal), Dirk Borstlap (Woolworths) en Mario Kleinsmit (Riverside
Piggery).
20
Nyoka said that train-a-trainer courses
were presented at Onderstepoort and
in the provinces the past year. He also
attended various study group meetings
and farmers’ days and he was involved
as a mentor in various programmes.
“The development of emerging pig
farmers is being done in collaboration
with government departments, government agencies, training institutions,
private companies and the media.
“One of the biggest challenges is
Hayley Jackson, Barry Gibbs and Dr. Minkie
Gibbs, all from KZN.
the lack of finance. Poor consultation
on government-initiated projects with
regard to for instance the size of units
versus the number of beneficiaries,
and outgrower units versus supply of
weaners is a further a challenge.
Nyoka urged commercial producers to assist emerging producers by
supplying weaners to outgrower units.
“More collaboration with government
departments will also be of benefit to
the emerging producers,” Nyoka said.
André Combrink (PPP) en dr. Peter Evans
(SAVPO).
Porcus Augustus/September 2010
SAPPO
Compartments will protect your
herd against disease outbreaks
It is important that producers
Semen and live animal imports
join SAPPO’s health compartment
Strict import measures are in place to
scheme to keep their herds proreduce the risk of exotic diseases entertected against pig diseases, said
ing via this route.
Dr Peter Evans in his Pig Health
Monitoring Committee report
Port surveillance
at the annual general meeting.
Dr Evans said that it is encouraging to note
He said 32 farms are currently
that the Department of Agriculture has
registered as pig compartments.
implemented strict surveillance measures
A new compartment standard is
at ports of entry to ensure that no meat is
2/12/10 10:23 AM Page 2
also due for publication and im-GSI AP ADS
inadvertently
brought into the country.
plementation in the near future.
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY CMY
Pig Equipment
That Brings Home The Bacon
Raw pork imports
SAPPO continues to be involved in trying
to get a protocol finalised to manage the
risk of PRRS in imported pork.
To be successful in the market place the pork producer needs a competitive edge.
Dr. Koos Botha (chairman Pig Vet Society), Dr.
Theo de Jager (Agri SA) and Dutliff Snyman
(Tongaat).
K
Pig farming systems
Dr Evans said that surveillance continues
for CSF and PRRS in the Eastern Cape
and the Western Cape with no reported
cases the past twelve months. He said
that the prevention of PRRS and Classical Swine Fever (CSF), as well as other
exotic diseases, are managed in the
following ways:
SAPPO’s appointed investigators
have inspected no harbours thus far in
2010, but harbours will be targeted in
October and November to ensure that
galley waste protocols are being implemented. “These standards are also to be
implemented in all emerging producer
projects that are supported by SAPPO,”
he said.
When stressful situations in pork production are identified and minimised, the well being of
the animal, reproductive efficiency and growth of the pig improves, yielding economic
benefits for producers, consumers and the industry.
In addition, with feed costs accounting for approximately 60% of the cost of swine production
it only makes sense to invest in the most efficient pig equipment.
THE GSI GROUP AFRICA (PTY) LTD
PO Box 4012 Honeydew 2040
Republic of South Africa
Tel: +27 11 794 4455
Fax: +27 11 794 4515
email: [email protected]
website: www.gsiafrica.co.za
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the maximum return on your investment.
Putting Your Assets First
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Frits Voordewind (Irene) and Dr. Francois Siebrits
(Tshwane University of Technology).
Porcus August/September 2010
Composite
21
SAPPO
Promotions: Effort
versus ignorance
“If one considers effort, time and
money and may be thinking that
advertising is expensive, one
should try ignorance,” said
Marieta Human, national convener of SAPPO’s promotional activities, at the annual general meeting. She said that the purpose of
advertising is to communicate
with consumers, reassure loyalists and to address the perceptual shifts for untapped markets.
Resources used in SAPPO’s promotional
activities the past year include four television advertisements, advertisements on
outdoor billboards, in family magazines,
on radio, and in specialist magazines.
There were also point of sale promotions, a joint venture with Checkers, PR
and press liaison, electronic articles, a
recipe website, educational booklets and
DVD’s, regional promotions, township
promotions, and a world cup soccer
oven glove competition.
Human said that feedback from retail
groups indicates that the promotions
work. “There is also a positive perceptual
shift towards pork by the media. The
measurement of consumer perceptions
however remains a huge challenge. The
distribution of pork to townships is also
a challenge that SAPPO will be focusing
on in future,” Human said.
Research hampered
by a lack of facilities
Pig-related research is sometimes hampered by the availability of decent research facilities.
It is also difficult to motivate
students to do post graduate research on pigs with the aim to in
future fulfill a position in the pig
industry,” said Dr Hannes Viljoen
of SAPPO’s Research Committee
at the annual general meeting.
Research reviews, bursaries for pig
research and the funding of research
projects are the main initiatives used to
stimulate pig-related research, he said.
The current topics that are high on
the research priority list are:
• Genetic potential for intensive farming
practices.
• The relationship between fatness (leanness) and reproduction of the sow.
• A data bank of feedstuffs (including new and non-conventional feed
22
•
•
•
•
sources) and feed additives.
Cost effective pig disease control
strategies.
Affordable and suitable new or
adapted pork and pork-containing
products.
Improved pre to post slaughter processes and products for extending
shelf life.
Methods for monitoring hormonal
and chemical residues in fresh and
processed pork for research and
development in the pork industry.
Dr Viljoen said a number of projects
or bursary applications was rejected
because the researchers were not South
African citizens or the work would not
have contributed to the South African
pork industry. Research areas are addressed according to a priority list. The
list is updated with new issues pertinent
to the industry. “Producers are welcome
to make contributions,” Dr Viljoen said.
Wim de Chavonnes Vrugt (PPP), Jurie Nel (New
Quip) en Martin Hobbs (New Quip).
Lenono Nteo (Klerksdorp), Zwianzo Nemavhola
(Polokwane) and Castuff Sekgala (Senwes)
Shaun Mockford (Mockford Farms), Kiersten Herring (Advit), Marlien Prinsloo (Animate) and Ron
Ijpelaar (Schippers Europe BV).
George Myburgh (Boehringer Ingelheim) en Sally
Bosman (SAVPO).
Porcus Augustus/September 2010
SAPPO
Measuring muscle thickness
during maternity is feasible
Measuring muscle thickness during
maternity is feasible and appears to
be useful, said Phillipe Mazerolles, pig
marketing manager of Invivo NSA at the
conference. In discussing lactating feed
he said that a high nutritional level ration
on farms with genetically thin breeds
and low feed intake, might be a good
idea. “Using additives such as Probiotic
during maternity appears to have a very
beneficial effect on sow feed intake and
piglet vigour. It provides a good starting
point for considering its use in top of the
range lactation rations.”
It is worthwhile to invest in
health, says Jan Smits
“Health is worthwhile, invest in it,”
was the key message of Dr Jan Smits
of PIC International, who discussed
biosecurity at the conference. “Producers will in future have to own their
license to produce by ensuring that
they produce pork that is healthy and
that their farming practices are envi-
Philippe Mazerolles (Invivo NSA)
ronmentally friendly. Diseases cost more
than you think. Make use of all available
knowledge, such as import regulations,
compartmentalisation, monitoring and
quality assurance schemes,” he said.
He also stressed that a good adaptation programme must be implemted to
introduce new pigs on farms.
Dr. Peter Theobald (Addcon).
FORMI has many growth
and other advantages
Dr Peter Theobald of Addcon, discussed
the company’s product, FORMI at the
conference and said that this performance enhancer leads to efficient growth
in piglets. “Long-term toxicology studies indicate that FORMI results in no
residues in meat. The product is safe for
humans and animals and results in the
general growth improvement of piglets.
It also results in the reduction of diarrhoea in growers and in a reduction of
salmonella in fatteners. Sows also show
an increased feed intake and higher milk
yield. The product also has no harmful
effect on the environment,” he said.
Tosca Kotzé (Multipig), Francois du Toit (TOPIGS
SA), Theo Laubsher (TOPIGS SA) en Anette
Coetzee (Charles Street Vets).
Wantie Burger (New Style Pork) en prof Theo
Venter (Noordwes Universiteit)
Porcus August/September 2010
Dr. Han Smits (PIC International).
Klaus Oster en Johan van Niekerk (ADDCON
Africa).
23
FEEDING
24
Porcus Junie/Julie 2010
AI
AI in the spotlight at technical
day in the Western Cape
A recent technical day with a focus on AI, held by PIC and Lionel’s Veterinary Supplies in the Western Cape had been very well attended. Here are some
of the delegates at the Klein Joostenberg Deli, where the event was held. Martin Hobbs (Newquip) and Dr Cilliers Louw also participated as guest speakers during the day. The organisers wish to thank Boehringer-Ingelheim for their sponsorship.
Junior pig
judging
course
Due to popular demand, a junior pig
judging course presented by the ARC
is planned for 20 - 21 October 2010
at Irene. Course topics will include
the anatomy of the pig, functional
efficiency, leg and feet weaknesses,
linear scoring and the standards of
excellence for pig breeds.
For more information please
contact Freek Botes
Cell 0832324234 or
[email protected]
Porcus August/September 2010
Breeding Manager
2000 sow pig unit
The successful candidate will have:
1) proven experience in A1
2) sound human relationship skills
3) an affinity with animals and
4) an ability to work as part of a team
High commitment is expected and will be
rewarded with a competitive salary package.
This is a career opportunity!
Fax CV to 086 624 2600
25
ANIMAL HEALTH
Spoilt for choice:
So many options for
PCV2 vaccination
By Dr Pieter Grimbeek, a
veterinary consultant
Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2)
has been affecting pig herds
in the world for the last fifteen
years and the disease has been
vigorously debated for at least
the same time.
Initially classic PCVD was experienced as
a major wasting disease of weaned and
young grower pigs, typically eight to 12
weeks of age. This syndrome was called
PMWS. At the same time, more and
more cases of PDWS was seen in the
mature grower and finisher herds. As
the disease progressed and became endemic in herds it was actively associated
26
with the Porcine Respiratory Disease
Complex (PRDC). Although wasting
occurred, it was less common but acute
deaths associated with hypercongested
pneumonia and dramatic interlobular
oedema was common. On some farms
circoviral granulomatous enteritis led to
poorly responsive scours and this was
often mistaken for Lawsonia intracellularis or colitis due to Brachyspira pilosicoli.
Extreme variation in growth rates was
common and skin lesions and conjuctivitis were seen in KZN and Mpumalanga
farms. At a later stage it became clear
the virus was ubiquitous in its action
and that the breeding herd also suffered
from reproduction losses, portrayed as a
reduction in the number of piglets born
alive and poorer farrowing rates.
Initially the control of PCVD was
based on a series of management measures combined with the control of other
disease. The “twenty steps of Madec”
became the focus of many unfortunate
producers who struggled to reduce the
impact of the disease on their units. We
were fortunate in South Africa not to
Porcus August/September 2010
ANIMAL HEALTH
experience serious losses, of sometimes up to 30 and 40%
of all weaned pigs, as were often seen in North America,
Europe and even some Asian countries.
The advent of vaccination brought about fundamental improvements and significantly reduced the impact
of the disease. It has been a most interesting period for
swine veterinarians, producers and scientists. There are
still many facts that we do not know and many things we
cannot predict with the disease and the PCV2 disease
complex may still surprise us in the future.
In the meantime, we have gained access to new
vaccines that can help and protect our herds from the
devastation of infection. The first commercially available
vaccine in South Africa was CIRCOFLEX® from Boehringer
Ingelheim. This vaccine targeted the grower herd and by
vaccinating all piglets once at 21 days of age, protection
was offered to the immediate wean and grow periods of
those pigs. More recently CIRCOVAC® from Merial has
become available and this sow vaccine, with the ability
to extend immunity to the piglets via the colostrum of the
mother, has been extensively tested throughout the pig
world. For a short period we were exposed to the Pfizer
Suvaxyn PCV2 vaccine and we are anticipating the launch
of the Intervet range of PCV2 vaccines. Sow and piglet
strategies are available, with the latter having single and
double dose options.
There are many options open to the producer and
he/she should carefully assess these strategies with their
veterinary consultant so as to choose the correct option for
the specific site.
The options available are:
1. Vaccinate gilts and sows to protect the gestation
phases and the young sensitive piglets.
2. Vaccinate piglets only if the breeding herd reproduction
parameters are functional, or if you do not have access to
the breeding herd or there are other management issues
such as dissatisfactory colostrum intakes or there is suspicion of interference by maternal antibodies.
3. Vaccinate both sows and piglets. This has the quickest
and broadest impact on the whole herd. It is however more
expensive and labour intensive.
Each vaccine has its own unique adjuvant and mode of
action. An interesting phenomenon is happening at present
with the commercially available vaccines. Sow vaccines
are now being advocated in smaller doses for piglets and
as recently as July 2010 at the IPVS congress in Vancouver
scientific papers were presented where it was shown that
sows that were vaccinated with piglet-only vaccines showed
significant improvements in reproduction parameters.
We have not seen the end of the entrepenurial application of these vaccines and we are probably only in the
beginning phase of more extensive research and discoveries. What is clear is that where devastating losses occurred
in the past, the use of the vaccine brought those affected
herds back to profitability. Recently large high health production units in the USA that were deemed “free of clinical
PCVD disease” have completed production trials with piglet
vaccines and have shown positive returns on investment.
PCV2 has taken the swine world by surprise. We have
learnt many lessons from this and we as an industry are
hopefully more prepared for the next “new” disease which
may occur in the near future.
Porcus August/September 2010
27
ANIMAL HEALTH
28
Porcus Augustus/September 2010
ANIMAL HEALTH
Zoonotic diseases of pigs
By Dr Tom Spencer, University
of Pretoria on behalf of the Pig
Veterinary Society.
This is the first of two articles on
Zoonoses, diseases that affect
pigs and humans.
Diseases that are transferred from
animals to man are called zoonotic
diseases. The zoonotic disease can
affect man directly, or be foodborne.
Pork is not often implicated as a cause
of foodborne disease, as the injunction
“cook pork well” has been taken to heart
by most cooks.
However, if all the causes of foodborne disease are analysed, pigs and
pork could theoretically be implicated in
over 40% of cases. The CDC (Center for
Disease Control) in 2003, found that in
America, Norovirus caused about 36%
of all food poisoning cases (Figure 1).
This Norovirus sounds serious but
in fact it is not involved in food poisoning directly and definitely not from pork.
This virus is actually transferred from man
to man and is found in gastroenteritis
cases or loosely diagnosed stomach
flu. Remember the scare at Johannesburg Hospital in about March this year?
Norovirus was incriminated there. It was
first found in children in Norwalk, Ohio in
1968, hence its name. It has been cultured
in outbreaks from Colleges in the USA.
So we must accept it is around, is not a
zoonotic pathogen and will appear in areas
of high human concentration coupled with
decreased immunological competency.
People vary in their susceptibility to
disease. Healthy young adults, on a
good diet, are far more resistant to most
diseases than the very old and the very
young. Pregnant women may be more
susceptible to certain diseases, and
certain genetic groups are far more susceptible to some diseases. People who
are immuno-incompetent are naturally
also far more susceptible to most diseases. Immuno-incompetence includes
AIDS, of course, but people who are on
cortisone, those on cancer treatment,
people with transplants, those who have
had their spleens removed, and alcoholics are also immuno-incompetent.
Zoonotic diseases caused by pigs
can therefore affect the farm workers,
pig handlers, abattoir workers, those
Porcus August/September 2010
who consume pork and anyone else
who comes into contact with any part
of a pig. Improved bio-security and
hygiene are crucial in controlling zoonotic
diseases, ensuring that farm workers are
protected and that pork is a safe, sound
and wholesome product.
The most important non-bacterial
zoonotic diseases for South African
humans and pigs are discussed in more
detail below. Immuno-incompetent
people would be susceptible to far more
infections than these.
Beginning with protozoal conditions,
these are little organisms that exist in the
intestines of pigs and can infect humans.
- Balantidium coli, lives quite happily in
the colon of pigs without causing much
harm or announcing its presence. This
organism may multiple in the colon and
form cysts of a group of protozoa or
trophozoites that are expelled with the
faeces and by poor hygiene the people
can be infected. As in the pig the humans do not show much normally but in
severe cases there can be diarrhoea.
- Cryptosporidium spps., can infect
the intestines of piglets with a shorter
lifecycle than that of Coccidia spps.
Fortunately, the infection is more common in calves in South Africa. Treatment
for animals and humans is not necessary
or that effective so just maintain hydration. It is termed “traveler’s diarrhea” but
only serious in immune-compromised
persons and animals.
- Lyme disease or post-trip illness is
caused by Giardia spps. The name
indicates one gets sick after the trip
because of the longer incubation period
(time from infection to clinical signs).
Although the pig is incriminated, the
infection for humans commonly comes
from a waterborne source.
- Toxoplasma gondii, first found in 1952,
this parasite shares its zoonotic life
with cats and pigs and other mammals
are sub-clinically infected. Humans are
infected via unhygienic behaviour and
accidental infection from cat feaces.
Symptoms are mild in all mammals but
the ability of the tachyzoites to pass to
the uterus does result in an abortion.
The biggest risk of a zoonosis from
pigs is the tapeworm or measles. Here
measly pork (pork infected with rice
grain-like cysts in the muscles) is infective
to humans if this pork is eaten. The little
Causes of Foodborne disease
CDC, 2003
Norovirus
Salmonella
C. perfringens
E. coli
Campylobacter
Staph. aureus
cysts develop in the intestine of the human to form a tapeworm. This long worm
attaches its head into the lining of the
intestine and segments develop along its
length. As these segments develop until
they mature and become full of infective
proglottids. The pig being an omnivore,
will eat the human feces as a food source
and can become severely infected. The pig shows no clinical signs but the
progress of the infection is to form cysts
within the muscles and so the infection
can process. It is claimed by speculators
that by looking under the tongue of the
pig one can diagnose measles in the live
animal. This is not so unless the infection is so high that the cysts protrude out
of the muscle bundles. The diagnosis is
done at the abattoir during routine meat
inspection and the number of cases
condemned at abattoirs in South Africa
has decreased over the years so now it
becomes a rarity.
The problem arises where there is no
meat inspection. The pig production in
continued on p. 30
29
ANIMAL HEALTH
Zoonotic continued from p. 29
the Eastern Cape rural areas has been
doing well over many decades and unfortunately tapeworms were introduced
so the pigs became infected and without
meat inspection and cooking the infected pork well the cycle has been perpetuated. A major medical concern has
been the fact that due to poor personal
hygiene, especially among children, they
have infected themselves after passing
a stool and not washing their hands and
any contamination off.
The proglottids perceive the gastric
acids of the human stomach as the right
environment to develop and develop
as if in the pig. The onchospheres are
released from the intestine and form
cysts in the muscles or take an aberrant
route and land up in the brain producing
a cyst. This is neurocysticercosis and
humans have persistent headaches or if
the cyst is formed in an important part of
the brain there are learning disabilities or
muscle control (motor neuron) impairment. Hence education on personal hygiene and meat inspection is paramount
to control the infection persisting.
30
Trichinella spiralis is a similar type of
condition but not so severe. In the polar
regions there is a polar bear-walrus
cycle, in temperate climates a humanpig cycle and fortunately it is rarely found
within the tropics. In South Africa there
is a source of infection in the warthog
found near the Kruger National Park (another reason to stop warthog meat being
moved around the country.)
The list of viral agents involved in
zoonoses is short and rarely there are
cases.
- Rabies is theoretically possible to pass
from a pig to human. Most aggressive
pigs (read boars) are normally slaughtered as they pose a risk to the handlers.
- Foot and Mouth Disease. Strangely
there is a form of FMD in humans
caused by a virus (not the usually accepted human connotation). The viruses
involved in animals and humans are different so it is thus NOT a zoonosis.
- Swine flu. The world knows what the
novel H1N1 flu virus from Mexico did to
the pig industry. It must be remembered
that H1N1 is primarily a swine flu virus
and pigs and humans were both infected
by it, the symptoms are mild unless there
is a complicating factor. The pig is considered a good incubator for flu viruses
as there is close human-pig association
in many lands and the infected pig hardly
shows any symptoms, except maybe to
go off their food for a day or so. Many
pigs exported from South Africa have
tested positive for human strains of flu, so
it is a case of the worker infecting the pig.
- Nipah virus was found in 1998/9 at
Nipah in Malaysia. 105/265 people
developed an encephalitis which led to
a coma and finally death. 90% of the
persons affected were closely associated
with pigs, being pig farmers. To control
the epidemic Malaysia slaughtered 1.1
million pigs and found out later that the
fruit bat was the vector transmitting the
virus to pigs.
Drukkersduiwel
Die drukkersduiwel was los in ons
vorige uitgawe en ’n fout het met die
druk van Meadow se advertensie
ingesluip. Ons vra om verskoning –
Redakteur
Porcus Augustus/September 2010
DIEREGESONDHEID
Functional Nutrition For
pigs
An animal never gets
over a good or bad
start — that’s why we
developed NuPro. NuPro
is rich in functional
NuPro is a functional protein containing highly concentrated levels of essential and
functional nutrients. Add NuPro to young pig diets to support digestive efficiency through
precision nutrition. Inclusion of NuPro in young pig diets enhances the development of
the pigs’ gastrointestinal tract, assuring that nutrients can be absorbed to accelerate and
increase performance.
Summary of 27 Global NuPro Piglet Trials
nutrients that facilitate
development in early life.
Young pigs experience
many stresses during the
early stages of life,
especially at weaning.
The ideal diet formulation
can be the difference
between a healthy start
and a challenging one.
NuPro® can help.
Feeding
Recommendations
Pre-starter and starter diets:
3.5% from weaning to 8 kg BW
2.5% from 8-12 kg BW
1% from 12-25 kg BW
What is a Functional Nutrient?
“A food, nutrient or dietary
component that may provide better
health benefits beyond basic
nutrition.”
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Porcus August/September 2010
proud sponsor of
31
EMERGING FARMERS
@PPP... continued from p. 17
Satisfying year for
PPP
The past year was a busy but satisfying year for the PPP. Jacobus
Hoffman, manager of the organisation, highlighted various activities in his management report at
the annual general meeting.
Training
PPP serves as a Skills Development
Facilitator for a number of producers.
Producers who were registered and
had paid their levies, received R485 000
back in 2009 and R353 000 in 2010 till
date.
New reports have been submitted
by 12 June 2010, namely an Annual
Training Report (ATR) and a Work Place
Skills Plan (WSP). These reports contain
information on all the training done by
farmers in the past year, as well as the
training courses planned for the next
year. AgriSeta approved funding for
farmers to present courses on Skills
Training, Occupational Health and Safety,
First Aid, Basic Fire Fighting and HIV
Awareness to their farm workers.
There is still R46 000 available for
training via the AgriSeta for this year, and
the PPP office can be contacted in this
regard.
Quality assurance
A total of 23 farms, representing 31
420 sows, are registered in terms of the
on-farm quality assurance scheme. Two
new applications are pending.
PPP’s revision of quality assurance
standards for 2010 has been completed
and two new auditors have been appointed. They are Dr Koos Botha and Dr
Tom Spencer.
Membership
PPP now has 75 members, and invoicing
is being done for more than 48 000 sows.
Imports
A total of 15 567 tonnes of pork has
been imported until the end of July
2010. The main imports (36%) are from
Germany, while 70% of all imports are
ribs.
Study tour
Hoffman proposed that a study tour be
compiled with the objective to attend the
6th International Meat Secretariat (IMS)
World Pork Conference in Bonn, Germany, from 6 to 7 October 2011. People
interested to participate must contact
the PPP office
Industry
cannot ignore
export
possibilities
Exporting pork is a good idea and may
have a lot of financial advantages for
the pork industry, said Dough Cairns,
a consultant who made an assessment
of critical factors for a sustainable
export programme on behalf of PPP.
“Although resources may be a problem for a
sustainable export programme, the idea of
exports must not be dismissed,” Cairns said.
He recommended that the industry use a
more pro-active and entrepreneurial approach
to strengthen its resource base. “A strategic
alliance could enhance capability in a volatile
environment. The industry should focus on
developing exports within a portfolio of initiatives for the benefit of the whole industry. A
project team should be appointed, led by a
skilled coordinator,” he said.
Cairns recommended the following:
• Develop a business alliance strategy but
make sure all role players are willing to support the alliance.
• Create a joint alliance strategy before finalising agreements. To be successful, all parties
have to consider how they will benefit.
• Co-develop opportunities according to the
needs of the alliance – strategy is an essential
step.
• Evaluate and adjust the alliance to serve
all parties. Establish frequent checkpoints or
milestones to evaluate efforts and to rethink
purpose, strategy and structure.
The detailed report is available on application
from the PPP office. The ownership and intellectual property is owned by PPP.
systems
32
Porcus Augustus/September 2010
PRODUCTION
GLOBALG.A.P.
The model – The Global Partnership
for Good Agricultural Practices
The GLOBALG.A.P. Model is designed to establish a foundation for
achieving harmonised good agricultural practices across the globe.
This flexible and easily adaptable
model is based on a framework
consisting of perfectly coordinated
building blocks that interlink to
generate a dynamic process of
regulation, transparency, harmonisation and sustainability.
GLOBALG.A.P. is all about setting
standards that define the practices farms
must implement to ensure consumer
requirements for safe and sustainable
agricultural production. The standards
(Control Points and Compliance Criteria
- CPCC) are defined by so-called Standards Committees (GLOBALG.A.P. Sector
Committees) made up of equal number
of industry experts from both retail/food
service and producers members. They
also define the cornerstones of the
rules (GLOBALG.A.P. General Regulations) that establish clear criteria for the
successful implementation, verification and regulation of the standards. In
order to maintain long-term sustainable
standards and rules, a governance body
(The GLOBALG.A.P. Board with support of the Secretariat) undertakes the
task of determining strategy, designing
the standards setting process, adopting
standards and rules, and providing the
legal framework for regulating the Standards Committees.
Once the standards and rules have
been established and implemented,
adequate services have to be provided
to the buyer community actively seeking products from certified farms. The
GLOBALG.A.P. Model serves this market
on two levels: single identification and a
competitive service for third party verification.
In order for the market to exercise
demand, a method of single identification has been established in the form of
a central registry (GLOBALG.A.P. Database) that lists all the farms that have
Porcus August/September 2010
been certified as well as all associated
certification information. This identification process is fed by a service market of
multiple third party auditors and certification bodies (more then 130 GLOBAL
G.A.P. approved CBs globally). These
organisations audit the farms according to the standards and rules and then
add them to the registry. The auditors
themselves are qualified according to
the rules set by governance, thereby establishing yet another trust building link
between the market and the standards.
However, the market not only demands identification but also harmonisation with other standards (GLOBAL
G.A.P. benchmarking). For this purpose,
a single management platform (FoodPLUS GmbH) is set up to facilitate the
benchmarking and operate the single
registry as well as offer buyers a single
interface for identifying producers and
their benchmarked standards.
Integrity is crucial for the successful
implementation and harmonisation of
standards. An integrity system (GLOBALG.A.P. Integrity Program) sets into
place a continuous process of quality
assurance and improvement. Such a
program relies on a system of control
measures and risk-assessed integrity
checks used to monitor and inspect the
performance of certification bodies via
surveillance visits, as well as following up
complaints.
The GLOBALG.A.P. model not only
provides a sound foundation on which to
build trust and sustainability in a global
market, but also through the interlinking
of its components offers a dynamic flexibility that ensures an ongoing process of
harmonisation, innovation and excellence.
and flower and ornamentals), livestock
(cattle/sheep, dairy, veal, pigs, and poultry) and aquaculture (finfish, crustaceans
and molluscs). It is an on-farm standard
that covers the certification of the whole
agricultural production process of the
product from before the plant is in the
ground (origin and propagation material
control points) or from when the animal
enters the production process to nonprocessed end product (no processing, manufacturing or slaughtering is
covered). The objective of GLOBALG.A.P.
certification is to form part of the verification of Good Practices along the whole
production chain. The CPCC are based
on a generic HACCP for farming. The IFA
standard takes on a holistic approach to
G.A.P. by covering food safety, environmental issues as well as worker health,
safety and welfare on farm level.
The Integrated Farm Assurance
(IFA) standard
For more information on GLOBALG.
A.P. and how to link in to this global
standard on a local level, contact Dr
Elmé Coetzer, GLOBALG.A.P. Manager: Standards Development at
[email protected] or
0826628105.
The GLOBALG.A.P. Integrated Farm Assurance scheme covers the production
process of crops (fruit and vegetables,
combinable crops, coffee (green), tea
The Compound Feed Manufacturing (CFM) standard
The scope of the Compound Feed
Manufacturing standard covers all production steps from purchase, handling
and storage to processing and transport
of compound feed for food producing
animals. This excludes the production
of ingredients such as forage or grains
(simple feed materials), pre-mixtures,
additives or medications (prepared
feed supplements) etc., but covers the
production of compound feeds (which
can be complete or complementary),
that may be produced using any or all of
these ingredients as raw materials. The
production of home mixed feeds that do
not leave the farm where they were produced, and grazing/foraging for animals
is not covered by this standard.
33
PRODUCTION
International
Animal Health
Improvac® Reg No.: G3643 (Act 36/1947)
34
Porcus August/September 2010
PROMOTION ARTICAL
Supermarket chain cuts out
castration in Belgium
Belgium’s largest supermarket
chain has announced that it will
stop selling pork from castrated
pigs by the end of the year.
Swine farms that supply Colruyt and
Okay retail outlets have agreed to stop
physical castration and will now use vaccination as their standard procedure for
rearing male pigs and thus reducing boar
taint in the meat.
The change follows tests carried out
on various alternatives by the Colruyt
Group in 2 600 animals after the vaccine, Improvac®, was approved by
EU authorities a year ago. The results
confirmed that vaccination was highly
effective at reducing boar taint, and more
animal-friendly.
Vaccine manufacturer, Pfizer Animal
Health, has welcomed the adoption of its
breakthrough product by such a major
retailer.
and also less waste, making the method
more environmentally-friendly and more
sustainable.
“The use of Improvac is a clear step
forward. This innovative vaccine can significantly help to improve swine production and the welfare of animals, keeping
pork quality at its best.
“Everyone wins: the pig, the farmer,
the retailer and their suppliers as well as
the consumer.”
As Colruyt’s suppliers now stop castration, by the end of the year only pork
from vaccinated animals will be on sale
in their supermarkets.
Farmers worldwide have tried and
trusted Improvac for over a decade. The
product is licensed in 56 countries, including both Australia and New Zealand,
where it has been successfully applied
since 1998.
Improvac has now been used in more
than nine million pigs which clearly illustrates its support among farming communities and the widespread satisfaction
among pork consumers.
Furthermore, the product has been
approved by well regarded animal welfare groups, such as the RSPCA and the
“Eurogroup for Animal Welfare.”
Earlier this year the Federation of
Veterinarians in Europe stated that its
position on piglet castration was that
Immunocastration, i.e. the practice of
vaccinating pigs, can be used as an
alternative.
Improvac is a registered trademark of
Pfizer Inc.
General feeling
“There is a general feeling among European legislators and the pork supply
chain that we need to find better, more
animal-friendly solutions to rear male
pigs without compromising on meat
quality,” said Pfizer’s Stephan Martin,
who is responsible for the marketing of
Improvac in Europe.
“Consumers are increasingly making
purchase decisions based on the way
in which their food is produced, and we
know from our own research that the informed EU consumers prefer the use of
vaccination to castration in raising males
without boar taint.”
Vaccination provides a number of
benefits beyond welfare improvements.
Because boars are naturally more efficient, they need less feed and produce a
lean, high quality carcass. Less feed also
means less cultivated areas are needed
Porcus August/September 2010
Pfizer Animal Health
invests millions in R&D
Pfizer Animal Health, a business of Pfizer Inc., is a world leader in discovering and
developing innovative animal prescription medicines and vaccines, investing an
estimated $300 million in R&D annually.
For more information on how Pfizer works to assure a safe, sustainable global
food supply from healthy livestock, poultry and fish, or how Pfizer helps companion animals and horses to live longer, healthier lives, visit www.PfizerAnimalHealth.
com
Pfizer Laboratories (Pty) Ltd (Reg. No. 1954/000781/07). P.O. Box 783720,
Sandton, 2146, South Africa. For more information phone: (011) 320-6000.
Website: www.pfizer.co.za Reference number: PF/IM/232/10 Improvac, Reg.
No.: G3643 (Act 36/1947)
35
36
Porcus Augustus/September 2010
ANIMAL HEALTH
Registered compartments as at
the end of August 2010
By Dr Peter Evans, Veterinary
Liaison: SAPPO
SAPPO is committed to getting as many
farms as possible compartmentalised.
Compartmentalisationisbasedon
biosecurity and not only safeguards your
farm but strengthens South Africa’s case
in putting requirements in place for the
importation of live pigs, semen and pork
or pork products. These requirements
are necessary to reduce the risk of importing exotic diseases.
SAPPO would like to take this opportunity to thank the farms below for their
commitment to the national herd’s health.
Those of you who are not yet compartmentalised, please make an effort in
the national interest. More information
on how to become compartmentalised
can be obtained from your veterinary
consultant or from the SAPPO office.
Company /Owner
Farm
District
Topigs Nucleus A
Nucleus
Bronkhorstspruit
KanhymEstates
Quarantine
Middelburg
CurlyWee
Bakoven (Multiplier)
Ratlou
CurlyWee
Driehoek
Naledi
CurlyWee
Damascus (weaner)
Naledi
CurlyWee
Damascus (grower)
Naledi
Delta Valley
Tana Piggery Uitsig
Stellenbosch
Delta Valley
Tana Piggery Kuilenberg (Grower)
Stellenbosch
Porcsem
Porcsem (AI Station)
Kirkwood
KanhymEstates
Platkopjes
Heidelberg
KanhymEstates
GTC(AI&BoarUnit)
Middelburg
KanhymEstates
Unit N
Middelburg
KanhymEstates
Springtop A
Magaliesburg
KanhymEstates
Springtop B
Magaliesburg
KanhymEstates
Concord
Bapsfontein
KanhymEstates
Long Valley (Quarantine)
Balfour
KanhymEstates
Middelburg
Middelburg
Pro Pig Developments
Pro Pig Developments
Baynesfield
Leanside Piggery
Leanside Piggery
Polokwane
Harmony Piggery
Harmony Piggery
Glen Harmony
BaynesfieldEstates
BaynesfieldEstates
Nels’ Rust
Frey’s Agriculture
Fort Nottingham
Nottingham Rd
AEVolkerandSon
AquillaEstates
Vryheid
Kotze Broers
Ratzegaai Varkboerdery
Ventersdorp
Topigs
Nucleus B
Bronkhorstspruit
No. 2 Piggeries
Peninsula
Queenstown
Inhoek Piggery
Inhoek Piggery
Wolmaranstad
Feenstra Boerdery
Feenstra Boerdery
Kroonstad
Hazeley Piggery
Hazeley Piggery
Windmeul
Ibis Piggery
Ibis Piggery
Polokwane
Walt Landgoed
Walt Landgoed
Settlers
No. 2 Piggeries
Steenwyk
Welkom
E5Farming
E5Farming
Mokopane
Braak Trust
Spitskop (Grower)
Pretoria
Topigs
AI & Boar unit
Bronkhorstspruit
Total of 35 units representing 28,590 sows
Porcus August/September 2010
37
STUDY GROUP
PRODUCTION
Pondering Points
Food security crisis
Are we suffering from crisis
fatigue?
Long may the media remain
unshackled and able to get the
word out without getting themselves into jail, but they are to
blame for trying to sell papers,
videos, books and political ideas
by scaring the wits out of us.
Also, they do tend to overdo it and end
up producing boredom instead of terror.
We have had:
• OurparticularSouthAfricanspecialities – crime, corruption and incompetence,
• Theenergycrisisthrasheduntilwe
can’t summon the energy to cry stop;
• Thewatercrisisuntilwecanscarcely
find enough to chuck into a soothing
dop;
• Theglobalwarmingcrisisuntilwecan
hardly find the firewood to keep out
the cold; and now• Thelandgrabcrisiswhichputsitall
together in the spectre of “Food Security”, especially in Africa and other
benighted continents.
Knowing that everyone from kids to
grannies secretly likes to be frightened,
let’s look at the scary statistics of some
of the coming catastrophes above:
Energyandglobalwarmingarereally
exhausted as topics, but what about the
other two?
Water: in this technical wonderland
that we inhabit, over a billion people live
without clean drinking water, 4000 or
more children die every day from waterborne diseases, two and a half billion
people lack proper sanitation and more
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people have a cell phone than a toilet.
And how is it that the daily per capita
use of water in the US and Japan is 350
litres while in sub-Saharan Africa we use
less than 20?
Unless you happen to be one of the
women carrying dubious water home in
a pot on your head you may not think
further than “that’s a tough deal” but
ponder this:
• becauseover260riverbasinsround
the world are shared by two or more
countries mostly without any formal
agreement of rights and use, and
water availability is lagging behind
population growth, water stress is
growing;
• thevolumeofwaterintheRhine
passing Basel where the river first
becomes navigable is taken up by
towns and cities for use, re-cycling,
purification and return to the river,
eleven times before it reaches Rotterdam and the sea.
No wonder the fundis say that the next
world conflict will be over water.
Land: We are told that about 20%
of the earth’s surface is arable, of which
only half is presently growing crops, and
as we are running out we should stop
wasting the land and water on raising
cattle and pigs and poultry and biofuels
and use what’s left of our available fields
to grow crops and vegetables for people
to eat.
This extra boring idea finds support
no doubt with the veggie/organic/free
range/animal rightist lobbies, but is
shown to be much more wrong than
right by sensible science and unbiased
observation. Ponder these few points:
• Worldmeatproduction,andparticularly pork and poultry, is increasing much
faster than the population, probably
because most impoverished communities, if they become more affluent, will
use their increased income to raise their
standard of living by including meat in
their diets before buying material goods;
• Meathasthefullrangeofessential
amino acids required by a healthy balanced human diet, which cannot be said
for any of the vegetable meat substitutes; a studied variety of vegetable
foodstuffs is necessary, and achievable,
but not as conveniently;
• Theargumentthatmeat-producing animals are taking up arable land
uneconomically is not valid except where
extensive systems are practised; the
intensive and semi-intensive pig and
poultry units and the beef feedlots are
very compact.
• Whatismore,thecropsandenergy
required to supply them occupy less
arable land than the tofu and soya meat
substitutes for the equivalent food value
in protein.
No wonder there is a second and
huge scramble for Africa by the Western
anddevelopingEasterncountries,who
are buying and renting millions of hectares of virtually unused and potentially
productive land with an eye to the future.
Anxiety about food security is real
and serious – what more secure occupation can there be than being able to feed
a hungry world with affordable, first class
protein - like farming pigs for example?
Porcus Augustus/September 2010
TRAINING
Porcus August/September 2010
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