February 26, 2013

Australia pork producers expects tough year

Australia's pork producers are expecting another challenging year on the farm if feed grain prices remain high.

Pork producer, Steve Roberts, runs a free range operation at Temora in the New South Wales Riverina and sells his meat to local butchers and farmer's markets.

He doesn't expect the price of stock feed will ease any time soon.

"Additives and proteins and all that are still going up in price," he said.

"Talking to the owner of the mill the other day, he just said there will be no change and there will probably be an increase, so that's obviously going to affect our bottom line."

Mr Roberts says he won't be cutting back on pig numbers, but will make an extra effort to ensure feed doesn't go to waste and grain silos are free of weevils.