"We've had challenge after challenge, but the Russian invasion of Ukraine brought things to a different level with grain costs doubling within a month."So it's been very, very bad and the worst we've ever seen in financial losses.Roger Johnston has 200 breeding sows on his farm"Farmers here are very resilient," said Deirdre McIvor, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Pork and Bacon Forum.
"They take action to try and be innovative to address any problem themselves. But this is a problem for which they just have no answer."The end result for the consumer is there will be no locally produced product on the shelves ultimately, if things go to their worst endgame."The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs said it recently delivered a Pig Sector Support Scheme and has no plans at this point in time for further financial support.
But after 18 months of losses, farmers like Mr Johnston are not seeing that change having an impact on their businesses yet. "I still think to myself: 'What am I doing here, getting up every morning, seven days a week to go and look after the animals?' "We do have a passion for the work, but there's only so much I can do. I still need to pay my mortgage and put food on my table.
Killing pigs agenda again ?
Farmers POOR MOUTHING again! all their lose's covered during Covid by tax payers if any?...they make fortunes for decades and lets not talk about 'foot and mouth' when the cost of pork went through the roof!...if you can't run a business without GOV hand-outs, then sell-up!
Keep energy costs down by not housing pigs in massive sheds, let them out to roam the fields.
How about leaving because it’s a cruel process
Smart as dogs. The pigs not the farmers.
That'll cause a stink