Pig farmers in Germany are considering curtailing activities
Owners of pig farms in Germany are increasingly thinking about exiting the business.
Topagrar writes about this, citing expert statements.
After 1.5 years of quarantine restrictions due to COVID-19 and the price crisis, fatteners and young producers are counting losses due to the high cost of energy and feed, says Rudolf Borghofa, Team Leader of the Finishing Advisory Office at LWK NRW.
“Many farms used their own grain, and the six-month contract for additives or soybean meal has ended. Now they feel the full force of the costs: 90 euros per sow as an additional cost for feed only, 2.50 euros for a piglet and 35 euros for a fattening pig. With full expenses, it comes out from 75 to 80 euros per piglet,” the expert calculated.
This situation is forcing farmers to reduce investment in retrofitting mating and farrowing centres.
Animal welfare programs promise a way out. But so far, the bonus is not enough for a better income - except for special programs. Pig farmers are increasingly thinking about switching to organic farming. This promises high stable prices and long-term contracts. But the transition phase requires additional investments - millions of euros are needed for a complex for 200 sows, experts have calculated.
Gerda Langenhoff, special adviser for sows at the district office in Borken, explains that the last stocks on the farms have been exhausted. Many farmers are in the red.
“A farm with 300 sows has to spend up to 700 euros extra daily for months despite very good performance. This is 20 thousand euros that need to be mobilized every month. And not only now, but also in the disastrous 2020/21 season. The savings of many have “burned out,” she explained, adding that many love their work, but are looking for alternatives to pig farming.