June 11, 2008

UK survey finds 90 percent of livestock producers expect feed to be costlier
   
 

More than 90 percent of UK pig and poultry producers expect to pay more for their feed in future years, according to a survey commissioned by organic feed manufacturer Hi Peak Foods.

Another key finding was that over three-quarters of producers are expecting difficulties in sourcing certain feed materials due to increased demand for feed commodities.

However, 70 percent of interviewees expressed confidence for the future compared to the 6 percent who had a pessimistic outlook.

The survey found that over half the participants think they would expand their businesses within the next three years while 11 percent believed they would leave the industry in the next five years.

In assessing protein supply, 40 percent said the use of non-GM soy is important to the pig and poultry sectors. Among all respondents, 12 percent are organically registered - 43 percent said its use would undermine organic standards and 47 percent felt it would reduce consumer demand. Yet only 14 percent of conventional producers said it is likely that they would convert to organic within the next three years.