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Estimating the economic impact of the adoption of novel non-crate sow farrowing systems in the UK

Author

Listed:
  • Cain, P.J.
  • Guy, J.G.
  • Seddon, Y.
  • Baxter, Emma M.
  • Edwards, S.E.

Abstract

The majority of indoor sows in the UK (around 95 per cent) farrow in conventional farrowing crates. There is pressure from a number of quarters – EU and national regulators, supermarket buyers and consumers – to improve the welfare of sows by adopting ‘‘free’’ farrowing systems. A DEFRA-funded project (under the acronym PigSAFE) conducted by Newcastle University and the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) has developed and tested such a non-crate farrowing system. The trial monitored the costs and pig performance of over 450 sows which farrowed in either PigSAFE pens or conventional farrowing crates. The data generated in this work were used to construct spreadsheet-based budgeting models and linear programming (LP) models to assess the comparative economic performance of the two systems and determine the likely uptake of the new system. The results suggest that the cost of production under the new farrowing system would be about 1.6% higher than the conventional farrowing crate while pig performance was comparable in the two systems. A survey showed that UK producers were prepared to consider the new systems when renewing their farrowing accommodation, although the modelling exercise suggests that a price premium would still be required to ensure the viability of the new systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Cain, P.J. & Guy, J.G. & Seddon, Y. & Baxter, Emma M. & Edwards, S.E., 2013. "Estimating the economic impact of the adoption of novel non-crate sow farrowing systems in the UK," International Journal of Agricultural Management, Institute of Agricultural Management, vol. 2(2), pages 1-6, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:ijameu:164361
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.164361
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    Cited by:

    1. Wellner, Katharina & Lohmeier, Reikja & Otter, Verena, 2020. "Die deutsche Sauenhaltung im „Triangle of Needs“: Eine Betrachtung der Wirtschaftlichkeit und Arbeitssicherheit bei freien Abferkelsystemen," 60th Annual Conference, Halle/ Saale, Germany, September 23-25, 2020 305607, German Association of Agricultural Economists (GEWISOLA).
    2. Wellner, Katharina & Lohmeier, Reikja & Otter, Verena, 2020. "Die deutsche Sauenhaltung im „Triangle of Needs“: Eine Betrachtung der Wirtschaftlichkeit und Arbeitssicherheit bei freien Abferkelsystemen," 60th Annual Conference, Halle/ Saale, Germany, September 23-25, 2020 305607, German Association of Agricultural Economists (GEWISOLA).

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