During farm visits and informative discussions with farmers, other organisations, representatives from the slaughter and meat processing industry and the German Embassy’s agricultural attaché, it became clear that, while there was significant need for training, commercial farms have already put in place professional, forward-looking structures.

Some 90,000 of the 110,000 sows in the country are reared in closed systems (farrow-to-finish) on the 180 commercial farms. These farms operate to high biosecurity standards and have significantly reduced the use of antibiotics in the last two years by improving their hygiene practices – although often by “depop/repop” measures and new genetics. Also, the establishment of fixed contracts with vets and a reporting system for findings has helped to improve the health status.

Many commercial farms are already investing in better animal welfare although at present there are no statutory requirements for this. “We know that standards are set to also tighten in this area in a few years and we want to be ready”, they explain. And they are keen to seek inspiration in Europe. A visit to EuroTier – often in conjunction with farm visits in Germany, the Netherlands or Denmark – is a must for many and SAPPO has supported these fact-finding missions again this year. Group rearing from the 5th day after insemination is already practiced successfully on many farms and the first loose farrowing pens are now under construction.

Unlike in Germany, castration is not an issue in South Africa. All pigs (boars and sows) are slaughtered at 22 weeks without exception, and according to one slaughterhouse operator, there are no problems with boar taint. The only problem is that in summer the animals are 5-6 kg lighter and have somewhat lower feed conversion rates. 

With regard to climate, housings are equipped with outdoor areas and shutters. Incoming air is cooled mainly in the sow pens; in summer they use tunnel ventilation to increase the air exchange rate.  Virtually all farms use automatic dry feeders and have slatted floors, because this puts them ahead of their Northern European competitors in terms of labour and production costs (€190 for finisher housing, maize/soya-only feed rations). 

Despite the successful pork production at home, South Africa does rely on imports, which is largely attributed to the high demand for spareribs and bacon. And they readily turn to European markets to satisfy this demand which guarantee similar production standards and product consistency – although not at any price. There are complaints about high price volatility and alternative markets such as Brazil are being explored. 

The expansion of the information network with the help of EPP and DLG is a good opportunity for farmers in South Africa to obtain information for further development. At the same, South African pig farmers are willing to share their experiences, for example in keeping the sows in group pens straight after insemination or in the quality assurance programme they have developed. At the end of the trip we invited a delegation from South Africa to attend the next EPP Congress in Landshut, Bavaria – which is the perfect opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences.