(BGO) - In the first months of 2022, the prices of cattle and poultry in the market dropped while feed prices were still high, causing difficulties for farmers in Bac Giang province. In order to stabilize the supply, specialized agencies recommended that people be cautious when raising new herds, expand linkages and keep a close watch on market developments for appropriate investment.
Scaling down livestock breeding
With a total herd of about 900,000 pigs, 19 million poultry, 130,000 buffaloes and cows, and 30,000 goats, every month, the province supplies the market about 14,600 tons of live pigs, more than 10,100 tons of poultry and over 23,000 eggs. Recently, feed costs have increased while the product selling prices have dropped. As a result, farmers obtained no profit and even many households suffered losses.
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Thanks to cooperation with Hai Thinh Nutrition Joint Stock Company, the family of Tran Van Quyet (right) sells commercial ducks at stable prices, gaining profits. |
With nearly 20 years of raising pigs, each year, the family of Pham Xuan Bach in Tam Binh village, Ngoc Thien commune, Tan Yen district sold about 300 pigs for meat, earning a profit of nearly 200 million VND (8,462 USD). However, for nearly three months, the price of live pigs has fallen to 49,000 VND per kg. With 3 tons of pigs, he has suffered a loss of nearly 100,000 VND per head.
Bach's family halved the breeding scale and sold four sows. Since the beginning of the year, nearly 10 households in Doan Bai commune, Hiep Hoa district had to temporarily stop raising ducks, including those who used to farm 6,000-7,000 ducks before. In Tuan Thinh village, Tan Thanh commune, Lang Giang district, the number of pig-raising households also decreased by two-thirds compared to one year ago.
Actively finding consumption markets, lowering product prices
Over the past time, the specialized agencies of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development have regularly advised people to stay cautious about raising new herbs, strengthen linkages as well as take advantage of local food sources to reduce production costs.
With a total herd of about 900,000 pigs, 19 million poultry, 130,000 buffaloes and cows, and 30,000 goats, every month, the province supplies the market about 14,600 tons of live pigs, more than 10,100 tons of poultry and over 23,000 eggs. |
Receiving guidance and support, many households have adjusted their production plans and set up linkages with businesses. The household of Phung Duc Bac in Tuan Thinh village, Tan Thanh commune, Lang Giang district switched from industrial bran to homemade bran to feed more than 100 pigs.
According to him, after one month of making bran from corn, potatoes, and cassava brewed with yeast, the cost of feed decreased by one-third. With this approach, his family gained profit even when the pig price is as low as it is today.
At the end of 2022, Tran Van Quyet in An Hoa village, Doan Bai commune cooperated with Hai Thinh Nutrition Joint Stock Company based in the same commune in duck farming.
Quyet has been provided with seeds and animal feed by the company, which committed to purchasing all products at stable prices. At this time, in the market, the price of commercial ducks falls to below 30,000 VND per kg, but the company still pays 45,000 VND per kg. With this price, he earns a profit of 35-40 million VND per 1,000 ducks after more than 40 days of raising.
According to Luong Duc Kien, deputy head of the Sub-Department of Livestock and Veterinary Medicine, along with the impact of the global economic slowdown, people's unplanned production has led to oversupply, affecting cattle and poultry prices. In addition, the spontaneous production without linkages and difficulties in export markets have also affected livestock farming.
“At this time, farmers need to minimize losses from diseases and eliminate poor quality breeds; and raise new herbs in line with family conditions. In particular, households should join chain-based linkages with factories to ensure stable consumption," said Kien.
