Pig Congress 2023: the future of Danish pig production

Some 2,075 people were assembled in Herning when Erik Larsen, the Chairman of the Danish Agriculture & Food Council, Danish Pig Research Centre, and Christian Fink Hansen, Sector Director, reported on the past year and the challenges that are ahead.

The climate and sustainability were seen as being decisive for pig production’s future licence to produce.

"We have many good opportunities to reduce the climate footprint of pig production. In fact, it can almost become climate neutral. However, if we are to reach our potential, we require investment in the future. Provided we’re given the opportunity to invest, we as a sector must deliver on our climate goals,” said Christian Fink Hansen.

Between 1990 and 2016, the climate impact from a kilo of Danish pork was almost halved, and with measures such as slurry acidification, flare burning of methane from slurry containers and production of entire male pigs, the industry’s greenhouse gas emissions can be further reduced. Methane is a greenhouse gas that is 28 times more powerful than CO2. By reducing the methane by various measures, climate emissions from the farm are reduced. Moreover, entire males have a lower feed consumption and thus lower climate emissions.

Two options for Danish pig production
In recent years, Danish pig producers have enjoyed high prices for their piglets in export markets. This, among other factors, is due to low feed conversion, and the high daily gain of Danish piglets. As the Danish finisher price has also been low compared to other countries, this has led a number of pig producers to export their pigs instead of having them slaughtered in Denmark. One of the consequences of this has been that Danish Crown has had to close a slaughterhouse while Tican has opted for a work-sharing scheme.

"It’s hard for those who are affected, and it makes an impression when you see the importance our industry has for our local community. It is also critical for Danish pig production and can quickly develop into a vicious spiral,” said Erik Larsen in his address to the Congress.

He set out two options: that producers can continue as sub-suppliers and focus exclusively on the export of piglets. Or that producers can pursue the path that has historically made Danish pig production strong – an integrated high-value chain in Denmark.

"Prices have always gone up and down. But over time, the most stable option is to focus on a full-line production or close collaboration between piglet and finisher producers,” he said.

Common welfare regulations in EU
Despite the many uncertainties on the horizon, Danish pig producers have a strong appetite for investing in more welfare. Consequently, more farmers than expected have applied for subsidies to convert farrowing pens into loose housing. But in order to be able to invest in future welfare, it requires a common set of regulations on area requirements across the EU that pig producers can adhere to.

"As I mentioned in last year’s report, there are many countries that have begun to introduce national legislation in this area. This makes it difficult to navigate. Especially when it comes to investing. Therefore, it’s crucial for us that there are consistent, common rules throughout the EU,” said Erik Larsen.

As regards welfare, the report also touched on a new scheme that will reward pig producers who wish to produce pigs with intact tails.