Well, it was fun while it lasted. After several strong years, the pig sector now feels firmly back on the back foot.
The sun may finally be shining, but positives are becoming harder to come by – particularly with the ongoing threats of activism and disease seemingly intensifying. Still, as my nan used to say, ‘you’ve just got to keep your pecker up, it’ll all come right in the end’.
We work in a boom-or-bust industry, and navigating the highs and lows comes with the territory. It keeps things unpredictable – and, in its own way, that is part of the appeal. It’s no surprise that those outside the sector take an interest too. The challenge of producing sustainable, high-welfare, top-quality pork while keeping a business viable is one that attracts wider curiosity.
This month sees the return of the British Pig and Poultry Fair (BPPF) at the NEC in Birmingham, and I expect it to be busier than ever. In spite of the current challenges, there remains a strong appetite – both within the industry and beyond – to see what is happening in British pig production.
Whether it’s new technology, genetics, housing systems or simply the chance to catch up with people who understand the job, events like this are a reminder that the industry is still very much alive and moving forward.
I’ve always valued the BPPF. It showcases what the sector does exceptionally well. UK pig producers operate to some of the highest standards anywhere in the world, and there is a constant drive to improve.
Welfare, traceability, environmental responsibility – it’s all part of the package. It may not always feel like an advantage when cheaper imports undercut the market, but it does set British pork apart. More importantly, it provides a solid foundation to build on when the cycle inevitably turns.
Because it will. It always does.
Resilience
In the meantime, it’s the day-to-day tasks that keep things ticking over. Good stockmanship, attention to detail and making the best decisions possible with what’s in front of you.
When margins are tight, I have found that small gains matter more than ever – tightening feed efficiency, improving pig flow and maintaining close attention to health and performance. It’s nothing new, but it is what separates the units that ride out the storm from those that struggle.
‘Resilience’ was the theme of this year’s NFU Conference, and there has since been a clear shift in how farms are approaching it. More producers are scrutinising costs, questioning systems and making changes where they can.
That might mean investing in technology, rethinking housing or simply doing things differently to improve output. It’s not about chasing trends – it’s about staying viable in what is an unforgiving environment.
Panel at the Pig & Poultry Fair
Look out for Fred on day 2 of the British Pig & Poultry Fair (May 14). He will be taking part in a panel at 12.40 alongside Just Farmers’ Anna Jones, exploring how the UK pig sector should address the ongoing ‘communications battle’.
Pressures
Of course, external pressures are unlikely to ease any time soon. Prices are bad, activism remains a concern, particularly for indoor units, while the risk of disease – whether African swine fever on the Continent or endemic issues closer to home – is ever present.
Add in market volatility and political uncertainty, and it is no surprise that confidence can take a knock.
But for all that, UK pig farmers have a habit of digging in, and keeping their ‘peckers up’. They have navigated situations like this before, and they will again.
There is a depth of knowledge within the industry that cannot easily be replaced, along with a willingness to adapt that keeps progress moving, even when it doesn’t always feel like it.
That is perhaps why events like the BPPF continue to draw a crowd. It’s not just about machinery or trade stands – it is also about perspective and progress.
New ideas, different approaches and conversations that spark change. Even in tougher times, there is real value in stepping back from the day-to-day and considering where the industry is heading.
So yes, things may feel flat at the moment. Margins are under pressure, risks are mounting, and there is no quick fix on the horizon. But if the past has shown anything, it is that the UK pig sector is built to weather it – and history suggests it will.