INTERVIEW ▶▶▶
that in five years, the cost price will be leading again if ASF is under control. In short: there are enough reasons to revise the strategy.”
On which clients do you focus and where? “In addition to China, we focus on the United States, Brazil, Spain and Russia. In all these countries, pig production is integrated to a large degree. We focus on these types of clients in these markets. At the same time, the attention to our domestic markets Norway, Germany and the Netherlands remains, but that happens automatically. These countries do not provide growth.”
The domestic markets are troubled. Take for example the public debate about animal welfare and the environment. How do you plan to contribute to this? “There are still many possibilities in the areas of breeding and technology. Our finishers need 25 kg less feed annually to reach the same weight as five years ago. I do not know whether the feed conversion will improve that much again in the coming five years, but it is certain that it will decrease further. The carbon footprint of pig meat is relatively favourable and will become bet- ter. Research shows that 78% of the raw materials in pig rations is not suitable for human consumption. This is not my own calcula- tion. Some chains can operate free of antibiotics. The use of our TN Tempo boar causes less Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) pressure on companies in the United States. A lot is happening that improves our achievements in the field of sustainability.
“Clients in China are far more professional compared to
five years ago.”
“Group behaviour is recorded with cameras we use to improve the animals’ performance as a group. This also provides data about possible biting and the ways to prevent this from happening, which is better for welfare. Of course, we have also been working on our balanced breeding programme for the last 20 years. We only want more piglets per litter if the sow can rear them herself. Piglet mortality cannot increase. We are at the forefront in this field. The TN70 sows that were born last year have an average of 16.1 piglets. Under the right circumstances, we succeed in wean- ing 99% of the Topigs Norsvin piglets with their own mothers. Breeding companies look at litter growth differently than closed and integrated finisher farms. In finisher production, integrated or not, the number of kilogrammes of meat is what counts, as well as the cost price.
22 ▶PIG PROGRESS | Volume 36, No. 10, 2020
“However, aspects such as vitality and carcass quality are impor- tant for both. The farmer that buys the piglets also wants a maximum yield.”
Is it true that only few sow farmers succeed in weaning all piglets with their own mother? Sometimes, 18 piglets are born in a litter; surely you cannot do without foster sows or moving piglets? “At an average of 16.1 piglets, some sows have fewer than 16, others more. We have data from farms that succeed in weaning all piglets with their mothers. But here, everything fits; management, health, feed, climate, etc. But of course, it is also up to the farmer to maximise yield.”
About Topigs Norsvin: The market is insecure because of viruses. Will you be able to match the result of 2019? “Yes, with today’s knowledge I can say we will top the record re- sult we had in 2019. This is excluding the possible influence of ASF in Germany. I cannot mention a percentage, but we are growing faster than the market. I think this is the case for all large pig breeding companies. The market keeps consolidating and it is up to us to go along with it. Our ambition is to at least remain in the lead. I am particularly driven to get Topigs Norsvin to the next level, together with all our motivated employees.”
Growth scenarios
Topigs Norsvin needs more partnerships such as the one it signed at the beginning of September with the US breeding company Acuity. However, Kal is open to other forms of growth as well, including acquisitions. The level of ambition is high. Kal wants to at least be in the global top two pig genet- ics suppliers. Despite mergers and acquisitions, many pig breeding companies remain. In the future, the breeding land- scape will be like the poultry sector, which has a very limited number of breeding companies. Topigs Norsvin wants to stay.
PHOTO: TOPIGS NORSVIN
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