[Mr Pig]

Remember the following.

If a pork pig weighs 75kg before slaughter, the carcase sent to the butcher will be around 50-55kg.

By the time he has butchered it including removing bones, head etc, and trimming  you are likely to end up with 35-40kg of saleable produce.

Selling at £6/kg means your income is £210-240. Now deduct the slaughter and butchery costs which may be £50 or so you are almost certainly selling at a loss.

[Blonde]

bones included minus head usually, particulally if your selling quarters and halves. its easier to do the sums.  Dead Weight(dress weight) is the body minus the head, front hocks and the internal organs.   You ae paid on the meat and bones of the animal  from the slaughter house.  The abattoir keeps the head and the internal organs and the front hocks and sellfs them seperately or as a joint sale to a butcher.    The organs that are not used for human consumption  go in to  meat meal.  The blood goes to make blood meal.  The  heart valves are exported to the States for humans transplants.

[Hilarysmum]

The  heart valves are exported to the States for humans transplants.

Honestly???  (seriously would like to know is it true??)

[Blonde]

Pigs and us a similar internally....do you think I am joking.  If I was in need of a transplant and that was all that was available I reckon I would take one instead of dieing.  I have girls to look after and who would look after them If I was not here to do the job.   Any volunteers.  Transplants are not a new thing nor are they a thing  of the  past  but are very real.........  and will be well in to the future of our lives and our childrens lives.  In order for the human race to survive.  Whether it be lungs, kidneys or hearts.  Why waste material that can be successfully used to help those  who may be in desperate need........ help to continue on with their lives.  Why end it if it does not need to end.   

[manian]

The  heart valves are exported to the States for humans transplants.

Honestly???  (seriously would like to know is it true??)

they use pig valves for valve replacements in this country. it is better than having a metal one and requiring warfarin for life. i believe the pigs are bred specifically though

[dizzydexter]

of cause
£20 for 12 week old weaner ( saddlebacks were £4 at market last week )
i buy 55kg of feed (bocm pauls olympic ) from local farmer for £10
feed 2kg per day for 4 months thats 240kg
total feed bill £45
slaughter £10
butcher £25
about £5 on straw but not too sure as i buy in bulk as i have dexter cows
can i be really really nosey and ask what yours cost

[robert waddell]

dizzydexter can you tell us who this farmer is
BECAUSE HE IS SELLING THE FEEDING AT A LOSS
£300 a ton just now       your costs must be the cheepest

[HappyHippy]

God yeah ! PM me his number, I'll drive down from Scotland to pick up a tonne at those prices 
I'm nearly £8 for a 20Kg bag of farmgate grower/sow & weaner, so your feed prices are GREAT !
My initial purchase cost is generally around the £40-£50 mark.
Slaughter £20
Butchery £40 approx (80p per kilo)
Adding in straw & fruit 'n' veg etc, I'm sure my costs are closer to £180 a pig.
Keep doing what you're doing DizzyDexter, but beware of upsetting local pig farmers if you sell at a price way cheaper than them 
Karen

[Sudanpan]

I did a no profit costing of keeping a weaner from 8 weeks to slaughter at 7 months and came out at £175-  and that was before the feed costs went up 
And that didn't apportion any costs for fencing/arc/electric fence and certainly not my time!
Tish

[Hilarysmum]

Blonde, I had no idea this was the case.  If they are bred for the valves what happens to the rest of the carcass?  I think its fantastic, especially if it saves human lives or gives a better standard of living.