UK - Software makes Pork More Profitable: JSR Genetics
Published:June 13, 2007
Source :JSR Genetics
Leading pig genetics company JSR have enlisted the services of Independent Production Consultant Paul Wright - and his exclusive Checkmate® software - to help ensure genetic potential translates into optimum on-farm profitability.
Checkmate, a physical and financial monitoring programme designed specifically for the pig production industry, accurately estimates the profit potential of any given unit. Most importantly, it also formulates a detailed, yet concise, regime focussed on maximising the number of pigs produced.
For JSR Chairman, Tim Rymer, this is a service that he is pleased to be able to offer: "We want to make sure that our customers are able to realize the full potential of their breeding stock. That's where Paul, with Checkmate, provides an invaluable 'reality check', analysing exactly what a unit is capable of and how best to achieve it. On my farm visits I often see demonstrated the cashflow benefits that have arisen directly as a result of Paul's partnership with the farm owner and/or manager."
Paul developed the software after realizing that his years as a Group Production Manager for leading pig production companies had given him a uniquely valuable perspective. "Working on the same unit every day, you have little to measure your efforts and results by; you tend to do things as you've always done. I've had the benefit of overseeing production on a very wide range of farms and I've captured that experience in Checkmate to help pig producers fine tune their production facilities".
Installed on farm, Checkmate uses day-to-day data to provide not only a realistic production target, but also to pinpoint any elements that are causing a shortfall. Whilst serving volume is the key dynamic, Checkmate also analyses a whole range of other factors, from building size and unit temperature to health and mortality data, taking every aspect of the individual facility into account.
A graduate of Bishop Burton College, Paul has been using Checkmate for the last 10 years and believes that, as the name suggests, constant checking is an important part of its success. "Meeting those targets is all about getting the details right, adjusting and reviewing progress over a period of time, not letting anything slip.
Farmer Ian Davidson, who has worked with Checkmate for two years on his 300 sow unit in Inverurie, agrees: 'Checkmate has meant looking at everything we do, all the time; stocking rates, temperatures, size of pen. On Paul's recommendation we split pigs into smaller groups, halving the numbers from 80 to 40, and saw a direct benefit. Most important is making sure we stay up to date on services, that's crucial if we're to meet our sales target each year'.
Dominic Naylor, farm manager at Bishop Burton College is another producer benefiting from Paul Wright's 'check-up'. Stocking JSR Titans and Gold X gilts, the college aims to maintain a high health herd, with every aspect of pig production on show to students and visitors - from farrowing to finishing. "We have invested significantly in the pig unit over the last two years," comments Dominic, "and Checkmate has proved invaluable in managing pig flow, optimising our unique building set up and giving us confidence that we are getting the most from the unit".
