October 13, 2005

BPEX joins Farmex to fund study on pig industry

British Pig Executive (BPEX) has joined with Farmex Ltd., Reading, England, to fund a study of electricity consumption on several commercial pig farms.

This move was part of BPEX's overall strategy towards cutting pig production costs, in light of escalating energy costs that reduced profitability of the UK's pig industry.

Director of Farmex Hugh Crabtree said energy was one of the most important costs for producers after feed. "Cutting fuel bills by the equivalent of 0.5 pence/kg is worth more than GBP3 million a year to the industry."

The study would examine details affecting power use, including power consumption of individual equipment, Crabtree said. Where improvements were considered possible, they would be implemented and monitored to access the result.

FEC Services, Stoneleigh, England, would also contribute extra expertise for the study.