June 19, 2007

Philippines show improvement on swine production

The Philippines have shown improved production of commercial swine farms from 2005 to the first half of last year, according to the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD).

PCARRD says Philippine hog farm efficiency has improved by 3.93 percent in 1992, 3.52 percent in 2005 and 3.54 percent in 2006.

The average daily gain of pigs also improved from 467 grams in 1992 to 509 grams in 2005 and 514 grams in 2006, indicating local pig producers have instituted considerable improvements in terms of genetics, feeds and management practices.

Swine farmers have also shown increasing awareness about the importance of non-productive days (NPD) in swine production, as NPD in the farms began decreasing from 21.41 days in 2003 to 20.8 and 18.58 days in 2005 and 2006, respectively.

The adjusted 30-day weaning weight improved from 6.97 kilograms in 1992 to 7.96 kilograms in 2005 and 7.89 kilograms in 2006. The gains were also attributed to better genetics, feeds, and management.

Fewer pigs were weaned and sold in Luzon than in the Visayas and Mindanao, due to more diseases that caused high piglet mortality.