Promoting the value of outdoor pigs to future landlords

OUTDOOR pigs can benefit both the environment and soil health but making arable farmers and potential landlords aware of this can be an issue.

Andrew Palmer, AHDB knowledge exchange manager says: “Demonstrating good practice and gathering evidence on the value of including outdoor pigs in the rotation can help to sell the positives and builder better relationships with landlords to the benefit of both parties.”

Over the last five years AHDB has held a number of meetings bringing together producers, landlords with key stakeholders including the Environment Agency, Catchment Sensitive Farming, Anglian Water plus other water authorities and local river trusts to look at ways of working more closely together.

Mr Palmer has been running a series of meetings at Swaffham in Norfolk.

He says: “It is about being proactive, rather than reactive. Over the last few years the outdoor sector has become more professional in its approach to site management.
“With a better understanding of the environment and the benefits pigs can bring to the arable rotation, relationships are starting to strengthen between outdoor producers and landowners.

“Looking ahead, including livestock in arable rotations, particularly on large enterprises, may play a role in the new Agriculture Bill linked to public funding for public goods.

“By thinking ahead, not just about the time the pigs will be occupying the land, keys can be put in place to optimise conditions for the pigs, the following crops and the environment.”

Some producers have begun to take land on up to a year before the pigs move on to establish a strong grass sward. Having good ground cover is vital to reduce surface run-off during heavy rain.

Positioning tracks and gateways in sensible locations will also have an impact during wet weather.

Taking land on early can incur additional cost but Mr Palmer suggests working with other partners who may be able to either graze the land or take a forage crop, can help reduce the costs.

Where early access to a site is not possible using a fast growing rye/vetch mix is an option to provide a short term green cover crop which will help to stabilise soil and if left for long enough will provide wildlife friendly pollen and nectar.

Mr Palmer says: “Although outdoor pig producers are confident of the benefits their stock can bring to an enterprise, the sector must work towards providing hard evidence.

“We are hoping to start work on a project with Anglian Water, Norfolk Rivers Trust, the Environment Agency, Natural England and AHDB on crop monitoring to measure yields before and after pigs have been included in the rotation. Other considerations to look at are increased organic soil matter and improved water holding capacity with can help reduce the need for irrigation and the value of muck in terms of reducing fertiliser costs.

“There are also the biodiversity benefits the site can bring with buffer strips and areas of wildflower mixes all providing habitat for wildlife and insects. Birds also thrive around pigs so there is also likely to be increased diversity in the bird population.

“Having the evidence to prove all these benefits can help pig producers in both securing land and the amount of rent paid.”