Visit of pig farmers from ILLINOIS, USA at the GAEC LEY SOCX France on June 27th

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1 Visit of pig farmers from ILLINOIS, USA at the GAEC LEY SOCX France on June 27th Purpose of the visit : Application of the European animal welfare (AWF) regulations : managing gestating sows in groups

2 Location : 9 miles from Dunkirk and 15 miles from Belgium

3 Pig farming in Nord/Pas de Calais sows in Nord/Pas de Calais for about 350 farms (6000 farms in 1975, very small breeding farms) Intensive family farming on small-scale farms. Significant integration of Belgian pigs (born in Belgium and fattened in France) About baconers produced in Nord/Pas de Calais Less and less regional slaughtering equipment in Nord Pas de Calais (Belgium and Germany + Grand-Ouest of France) The region, in fact, is part of the production area of Northern Europe (mainly B / slaughter and breeding equipment)

4 Impact of the Welfare Directive in the region 2012 November Number herds % Number sows % Nord Pas de Calais Ready < ,3 % ,4 % November Will be ready 1 st 92 25,3 % ,0 % January 2013 Will be ready 56 15,4 % ,9 % after 1 st January 2013 Ceased sows 45 12?4 % ,1 % after 1 st January 2013 Don t say or no 14 3,9 % 146 1,7 % response Stopped or are stopping 17 4,7 % 794 2,0 %

5 Main reasons to cease breeding sows and to «refuse» WF regulation Age is the first reason of cessation to breed sows No successor from the family or out (poor picture of pig production in the public) Premises in poor condition : too heavy to restaure Constant pressure of ecologist lobby Administrative inquiry is very heavy and expensive (Fighting man run) Brussels CEE: no limits with regulation another and another.. Cost of WF and getting into debt. Pay back is more uncertain (feeding costs +++) Competition / challenge between breeding animal and plants production (to keep women at farm happy if possible!) Appeal for plants vs breeding among young people Working of women outside the farm is increasing the choice????

6 The farm Plant production : manager Frédéric Ley 190 hectares (ha = sq. meter): whole surface of the farm 50 ha potatoes 50 ha wheat 40 ha maize / Corn 22 ha flax (for clothes, not feeding animal) 24 ha sugar beets Animal production: manager Sébastien Ley 450 sows farrow-to-finish (4500 fattening capacity 35 KG 115 KG/ yearly production = fattening)

7 Abstract GAEC Ley Socx Farrowing fattening (FF) 460 sows split in 7 groups of 65 /70 sows farrowing each 3 weeks Weaning : 3 weeks Gilts are bought outside the company, at Groupe Gene Plus genetic type Youna Lignée Sino Européenne (Tai Zumu x LW x LR) Almost all feeds are produced on site (manager Sébastien) WF during last 2011/ 2012 with an increase in the number of sows(240 sows in 2011 vs 460 in 2012)

8 People working on the farm (Labor) Two full-time managers : Sébastien and Frédéric Three salaried full-time employees mainly on pig farm Five people for the entire farm

9 «Wonderful WF» Respect of regulations No competition between animals (fighting, vulva biting etc.) No more problems due to slipping floors Customized feeding system according to the physiological state and physical condition of the animal Perfect blend between feeding system and housing Best economical solution: cost of housing, feeding cost (hardware and maintenance), cost of labor etc. Etc. The best can be the enemy of the good

10 Sows WF between 28 D and 105 D gestation Four main options 1 Straw bedding and automatic feeders (DAC) or individual stall for feeding and straw bedding behind for free movement 2 Individual stall for feeding with entire slatted floor and a space behind for free movement 3 Entire slatted floor with automatic feeder 4 Entire slatted floor with distribution of wet feed with pipe («Soup feeding machine») Etc. GAEC LEY = option Number 4

11 Why N 4? 6 years ago, disappointing experience with a DAC in large group of fattening Very happy with liquid feeding system used on the farm since 25 years (distribution of byproducts for fattening) Mixing pigs by parity rank and physical state (fattening state) is easier Better supervision of behavior of animals during the meals Quick detection of sick sows Robust system and easy to conduct by everybody working on the farm

12 Premises («Barn») with Pregnant Sows (over 28 days) one single room with small groups (8-9 sows)

13 GAEC LEY WF

14 Option 3 large group /Slatted floor + DAC + Rest area / individual supervision is less good

15 Floor +++ wet floor = catastrophic = infirmary and often euthanasia Lighting Surpervision is important with large group

16 Results : it s good but expensive Surprise: no real problem / good tool in fact Technicals results are equal Number of Weaning piglets /productive sows /year: ,41 and 29,28 during 2013(first five months) GTTT = Pig Champ US Additionals /extra costs and charges Pig prices are too low vs feed costs are increasing + cost of labor + pressure of ecologists Brussels wants more and more WF of sows in husbandry. New Idea (gestation) in Brussels (free suckling sows is in the works..)

17 Le gardien de porcs (1888) Gauguin Pont Aven Finistère (Musée NYC) LM 18 Mars

18 LM 27 JUIN