Medication costs reach 3170 a sow
UK - Some producers are spending more on medication than feed, an Edinburgh conference heard.
22 March 2004
2 minute read
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Pig Association  THE VOICE OF THE UK PIG INDUSTRY NPA is active on members' behalf in Brussels & Whitehall, and with processors, supermarkets and caterers - fighting for the growth and pros-perity of the UK pig industry. |
The average veterinary bill for a sow is nearly 360 a year, but this figure is misleading because it reflects a huge range, said Jamie Robertson of Aberdeen University.
"At the very worst end of the scale some producers are spending as much as 3170 at sow. This means that they are spending more on medication than feed, which is simply not sustainable."
Results from the largest study of pig health management British pig industry were unveiled at the conference. The exercise will be repeated for English producers on March 26 at Milton Keynes. Further details are available from www.abdn.ac.uk/agfor/pighealth.
The conference fee is 325 a person. Contact details: Pig Health Conference, University of Aberdeen, Dpt. Agriculture & Forestry, Hilton Place, Aberdeen AB24 4FA. Phone 01224 274230, fax 01224 273731.
Source: National Pig Association - 21st March 2004
