March 30, 2007

Canadian swine centre to embark on energy-reducing project on pork production

The Prairie Swine Centre in Sakatchewan, Canada will start its four-year project designed to track and ultimately trim down the amount of energy used in producing pork.

Cost of energy in the global hog industry has been on the rise for years and is now the third highest variable cost after feed and labour, according to the centre.

As part of the study, the centre will survey all types of swine farms to determine current levels of energy use and look at potentially workable energy reduction strategies.

The centre's research scientist in engineering Dr Bernardo Predicala said most efficient producers are spending three to four dollar per 100 kilograms of pork produced compared to the usual growers who spend twelve to thirteen dollars.

Predicala said the entire information gathered through this study will be used in the development of a software tool that will allow pork producers to input monthly consumption patterns and determine the potential impact of energy conservation options on their energy costs before actually implementing them.