site
Home Page > News > Pig & Poultry optimism outshines pessimism
organicfarmersbutton.jpg
 

Pig & Poultry optimism outshines pessimism

Posted on Wednesday, 11 June 2008 02:23PM by
PRESS RELEASE FROM HI PEAK FEEDS June 11, 2008 PIG AND POULTRY OPTIMISM OUTSHINES PESSIMISM Despite rising feed costs more than half of pig and poultry farmers, 54%, are likely to expand their enterprises within the next three years, and a further 21% will seriously consider expansion during that time according to survey of leading industry producers. The findings suggest a strong feel-good factor with 70% of the 81 farmers sampled taking a confident view about business prospects. This figure is all the more remarkable given that nearly all, 92%, expect increased world demand to push up feed commodity costs in future years; and 77% foresee difficulties in sourcing certain raw materials. Commissioned by organic feed manufacturer Hi Peak Feeds of Killamarsh, the survey focused on feed supply and sector trends and was conducted during the recent two-day Pig and Poultry Fair – acknowledged as the industry’s major showcase - at the National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park. Countering the optimism were 11% of farmers who envisaged leaving the sectors altogether and 7% who could muster no confidence in anything. Asked specifically about soya, 40% cited the use of non-GM as important to the pig and poultry sectors. In relation to organic rations, 43% of all farmers thought GM-soya inclusion would undermine the standards, and in such an event nearly half, 47%, thought it would reduce demand for organic food. Among all respondents, 12% were already organically registered, and of conventional respondents, 14% thought it likely - or would consider - converting to organic within the next three years. More…. “Its not all rosy but generally there are grounds for optimism. It is encouraging that the pig and poultry sectors appear to be on the ball and aware of the potential pitfalls the global situation may hold in store,” said Hi Peak Feeds managing director Ian Proctor. “Although only 7% said they had supply difficulties in the last year, 16% said they had encountered problems with late or only part-feed delivery. Securing future ingredient requirements to provide balanced rations is key to sound nutrition, and dealing with manufacturers of proven record will be of increasing importance because of their access to tried and tested supply-channels. “From an organic perspective, it seems few conventional farmers have closed the door on it as a future option entirely but the vast majority (over 75%) reckon greater financial incentives were needed, particularly for organic cereal conversion, and it should be remembered that the UK is only 30% self sufficient in organic cereals,” he added. On GM-soya, Mr Proctor viewed its extended use in conventional feeds as inevitable given the limited supply of non-GM material and reluctance to formulate without soya- inclusion. However, he believed this was likely to boost demand for organic food, which would increasingly emerge as the only credible non-GM guarantee. He went on to call for a total ban of GM material stored on organic production sites, citing the risks of cross contamination. Of those questioned 15% were both pig and poultry producers and 36% grew their own cereals, the vast majority of which was used for on farm consumption. -ends- Further information from: Ian Proctor Managing Director Hi Peak Feeds Ltd Hi Peak Feeds Mill Sheffield Road Killamarsh Derbyshire S21 1ED Tel: 0114 248 0608 Fax: 0114 247 5189 Email: ian@hipeak.co.uk
Copyright © Hi Peak Feeds Ltd 2010 Show map Web design by 7Soft.co.uk