Pig farm heat costs up 77% since 2009

FUEL costs (heating oil) have risen by 77% since 2009, said Gerard McCutcheon at the Teagasc pig farmers’ conference.

The adviser, based at the Oak Park centre in Carlow, said there was concern that fuel costs would become more significant.

A 1,000-sow, integrated pig unit (rearing pigs from birth to slaughter) will spend €80,000 each year on fuel and electricity.