The British pork industry has undergone greater changes in the last 5 years than at any time in its history- disease problems from FMD to wasting diseases, and greater imports of pork meat have resulted in a significant contraction of the industry. However, many British producers are still supplying a competitively priced product to demanding customer specifications.

The challenge for producers is to stay ahead of the competition, as it is certain that more imports will come into the country if the British industry fails to deliver. This is where the Red Meat Industry Forum offers something of value to the industry. The growth of RMIF Farm Business Clubs across the country, making use of the RMIF's benchmarking service is allowing many producers the opportunity to compare their performance accurately, confidentially and on a like-for-like basis, and on the back of this information to make the decisions they need to progress further forward.

Benchmarking is a 'diagnostic tool' - in the same way that pregnancy testing of sows is a diagnostic tool- it will tell you what is going on with the sow but it will not make the necessary actions for you: in the case of benchmarking this is where your membership of a Farm Business Club is valuable as it is through these Clubs that the Forum is providing support to help producers tackle the key issues.

From discussions around the table at Club meetings it is clear that many pig farmers have significant competitive advantage in issues like good stockmanship and regular investment in good buildings.

If you would like more information to see how your business compares please click on 'Farm Business Clubs' on the left hand side tool bar.