International pig day: celebrating pigs in farming

The first of March, as well as marking the start of spring, is also known as International Pig Day. This is the perfect occasion to both celebrate these animals, the pig farmers that rear them, and highlight their significant contribution to UK and global agriculture.

The role of pig farming in global agriculture

Pigs play an invaluable role in the agricultural sector with pork being the world’s most widely consumed meat. With its production efficiency and the huge nutritional benefits, it’s no wonder that in many rural communities across the world, pig rearing is a culturally embedded practice—one that ensures food security and economic stability.

Pig farming challenges

The pork industry is witnessing unprecedented demand. This highlights the necessity for efficient and biosecure farming practices that both ensure ability to meet demand whilst ensuring a high standard of animal welfare that goes beyond animal assurance schemes.

The UK’s pork producers face an increased financial squeeze from rising costs of production at one end, and a budget-limited consumer at the other. So for them, the challenge to meet the nation’s dietary needs is tougher than ever.

In addition, producers also have the extra difficulty of competing with cheaper imports from EU and, increasingly, non-EU markets. Given this context, it’s clear that the nation’s pork producers need more support.

Innovation in swine husbandry

Just as in so many other areas, the advent of technology and biosecurity practices have revolutionised pig farming. Whether by leveraging technologies to ensure precision agriculture or by improved dietary formulations to enhance pigs’ performance and health, improved technology plays a vital role in ensuring the future of the industry.

Biosecurity: a cornerstone of sustainable pig rearing

One way that the nation’s pig farmers and producers can help safeguard the health of their animals, protect the future of their business and steal a march on their international competition is through improved biosecurity.

Effective biosecurity protocols are critical in safeguarding all livestock from disease outbreaks. Improved biosecurity protects the health of animals, reduces costs and dramatically reduces the likelihood of a disastrous and expensive disease outbreak.

Livetec’s biosecurity solutions represent cutting-edge protection that sets the global standard. We adopt a proactive approach to disease management and containment. This ensures that our customers are far less likely to find themselves affected by a disease outbreak. However, should the worst happen, they have the best possible plans in place to limit their exposure. This ensures that their business gets back to normal much more quickly.