Page 241 of articles about meat

The Northern Ireland Science Park (NISP) CONNECT’s search for ‘the next big thing’ has concluded with the innovative software, PiGIS™, coming away with a £3,000 prize for best product in the ‘Digital Media and Software’ category.

With a decreased domestic supply caused by a slump in the output of pigs, a significant increase in the prices of pigs for slaughter was observed. On average, in the 1st half of 2009, the price of 1 kg of pigs for slaughter was higher than in the corresponding period of the previous year both in procurement and in marketplaces (by 27.8% and 20.7%, respectively). An increase in profitability of pig production and a limited supply of piglets contributed to a rise in their prices. In the period January-June 2009, one piglet was, on average, twice as expensive as in the previous year.

The Russian government is planning to invest up to 24 billion rubles (EUR 500 million) in the construction of new slaughterhouses in Russia with a total processing capacity of 7 million heads annually.

The Agriculture department is looking at prescribing suggested retail prices (SRP) for chicken and pork in the holiday season.

Pork production totaled 2.09 billion lbs., down 3% from the previous year. Hog kill totaled 10.3 million head, down 4% from October 2008. The average live weight was up 3 lbs. from the previous year, at 272 lbs.

Pigs in southwest China from Friday began having two identity chips fixed on their back legs detailing where they were butchered, examined and sold.

The U.S. Department of Justice, Antitrust Division and the USDA will hold a series of joint public workshops to explore competition issues affecting the agricultural sector in the 21st century and the appropriate role for antitrust and regulatory enforcement in that industry. The first workshop will be held in early 2010.

During the first 10 months of 2009, Brazilian exports of pig meat reached 511 thousand tonnes which is an increase in volume of 8.68% compared to the same period of 2008, although it suffered a drastic fall in value (-23,20%).

Iowa pork producers have embraced the industry-wide Pork Quality Assurance Plus program. In about two years, more than 10,000 Iowa pork producers, employees and other personnel have become certified in the PQA Plus program.

The Rural Development Sub-Committee is undertaking an inquiry into animal welfare and meat hygiene at abattoirs and slaughterhouses in Wales.

The fall in the consumption of meat continues in 2009, and nearly all meat types have been affected, with the exception of chicken.

India has pledged to offer privileges for local and foreign investors to invest in meat processing in the country to serve a huge potential domestic market and for export as well.

Bacon exports have more than tripled since January of last year. For the whole of 2008, they reached 31,000 tonnes, worth £72m. and are expected to remain at the same level in 2009.