FAST FACTS
Mockford Farms was started in 1956, and began intensive pig farming in 1970.
The farm covers just under 2 000ha. In addition to running a piggery, brothers Shaun and Brad Mockford also plant maize and lucerne.
They place strong emphasis on modern marketing methods and the welfare of their animals.
Worldwide, rising public concern about animal welfare and the W ethical rearing of livestock has placed increasing responsibility on the agriculture sector. Today's consumers want to know more about the product they buy, particularly where it comes from (traceability) and how it was produced. These demands necessitate that farmers revise their production methods and standards, and this often places a serious constraint on profitability.
In addition to these challenges, South African pig producers have to cope with an increase in labour and energy costs as well as unstable power supply.
DIRECT MARKETING
To remain profitable, some farmers are shortening the value chain by eliminating the middleman and selling directly to consumers at farmers' markets, over the Internet, or by vertically expanding into the value chain by opening retail shops, according to Shaun Mockford, a partner with his brother Brad in Mockford Farms, near Polokwane in Limpopo.
Mockford is also president of the Pig Breeders' Society of South Africa and an executive council member of the South African Pork Producers' Organisation (SAPPO).
"We have excellent pork producers in South Africa. The challenge is to increase per capita pork consumption. It's necessary to improve the way we present our product and improve the eating experience of the consumer." The Mockford family recently opened the doors of its own farm-to-fork retail shop, The Flying Pig, in Polokwane.
Bu hikaye Farmer's Weekly dergisinin April 22 & 29, 2022 - Double Issue sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Farmer's Weekly dergisinin April 22 & 29, 2022 - Double Issue sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
'SA agriculture adapts to challenges and change'
Although the agriculture sector’s contribution to South Africa’s GDP is calculated at under 3%, its extended impact on GDP stands at between 10% and 12%.
Solutions to common cannabis cultivation challenges
Cultivators can improve output, quality and profitability while supporting the sustainability and prosperity of the cannabis industry by implementing best practices in pest management, environmental control, nutrition management, genetic selection, and harvesting procedures.
Training kit boost for small-scale poultry farmers
A new series of training materials to help small-scale poultry farmers improve their methods and incomes has been released by the World Poultry Foundation (WPF).
Eastern Cape Livestock Identification and Traceability System launched
New technology could be the key to help farmers put an end to stock theft, writes Jyothi Laldas.
State-of-the-art abattoir handed over to farmer
The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) recently handed over a multimillion-rand abattoir to a Hluhluwe farmer.
Vineyard School helps workers build skills
A new four-day course urges employees to think outside the box to ensure their employability, writes Glenneis Kriel.
SAFDA hosts sugar regulations imbizo
A milestone has been reached on the sugar industry's journey to transformation, writes Jyothi Laldas.
Thailand wants to recriminalise cannabis after earlier unbanning it
The government of Thailand has announced that it will be relisting cannabis as an illegal drug by the end of 2024, two years after lifting the initial ban.
Climatic conditions result in challenging wine grape season
The Western Cape's wine production is expected to be lower this season, reports Glenneis Kriel.
UK promotes trade and investment at Nampo
The 2024 Nampo Harvest Day, themed ‘Agriculture in a Digital Age’, attracted more than 900 national and international exhibitors, with 400 prospective exhibitors on a waiting list. This year the UK also formed part of the event.