Sourcing Cereal Feed Grains for Pigs: What are the Views of the Supply Chain?

摘要

Fell (2010) estimated that feed costs accounted for approximately 55% of total production costs in a pig enterprise. He also suggested that between 2010/11 and 2014/15, the pig to feed grain price ratio, which is an indicator of returns from pig production, is expected to remain largely unchanged. Hence, reliable supply and price of feed grains are important considerations for pig producers and the entire pork supply chain. In an effort to increase feed grain production specific for the major pig producing areas of Australia, Australian research has been directed towards development of new cereal grain varieties that can compete, in terms of profit per hectare, with current food grain production, and also provide increased nutritive value to pigs. This paper reports findings from a socioeconomic study where the aim, in part, was to assess attitudes to growing and sourcing feed grains as well as price premiums associated with these grains. Such findings can be used by relevant supply chain participants to aid management decisions.