Pork industry on the up, prices jump at Pigs and Pinot auction at Sydney Royal
Confidence in the pork industry was reflected in the prices at the second annual Pigs and Pinot auction at Sydney Royal on April 15.
The stud pig auction was relaunched in 2024 after more than a quarter-century hiatus from the Easter show.
This year's auction catalogued 30 lots and sold 25 to a $2300 top price to average $1134.
It was a marked jump in prices on last year's auction, where 26 of 30 lots topped at $1600 to average $802.
The top-priced pig was a Large White boar, Punjab Marshall N120, offered by John Singh of Punjab, Bangalow.
By Gumshire Marshall N789 and from Punjab Sunbeam M14, the July-2024 drop weighed 188 kilograms and with 0.79kg average daily gain.
He sold to Charles Sturt University veterinary student David Batt, Wagga Wagga, trading as National Feed Company.
It was the sole purchase for Mr Batt, who said he came with the intention of buying the boar.
He favoured the boar's depth, power, and teat structure.
"He's got a lot of length, he's just thick and powerful the whole way through him," he said.
"I think he had a lot of depth through his ham and came right forward.
"He wasn't pinched anywhere as a heavy boar - he was nearly 200 kilos and he tracked really nicely around the ring.
"I think I'd be able to breed a really sirey, terminal type of pig, but I could also use him to breed some maternal, retainment gilts.
"He's a very handy boar."
Mr Batt is involved in the family's WA-based operation along with his father, Linton.
They processed at their own abattoir at Corrigin, which was also used by local clients.
Mr Batt said the industry was heading in an upward trajectory.
"We're 400 sow farrow to finish in WA at the moment and we're looking to expand that," he said.
"Pigs are just such an efficient animal, they've got that short generation time.
"They grow so quickly. Our pigs, from 60kg to market weight at about 110kg, they do a kilo a day."
He noted there were two more exhibitors at the show and the quality of the stock was better than ever.
Linton Batt, RAS councillor and WA Pork Producers Association president, said demand for Australian pork was boosting the market.
"Producers are finally seeing some reward for their investment and hard work," he said.
"I think that'll continue. We're just conscious that consumers are trying to source Australian meat as ham and bacon.
"A lot of the ham and bacon in processed in Australia from imported meat and we know that consumers want Australian-origin ham and bacon.
"We need to maintain our biosecurity - biosecurity is absolutely essential.
"We've got fantastic pigs in Australia but we find it difficult to compete against the subsided meat coming in."
Other sale results included Gumshire King P3570, offered by Gumshire Pork, Barossa Valley, SA, selling for $1800 to the Rogers family of Baradine.
The same buyers also paid $1800 for Gumshire General P3529. The Rogers averaged $1420 for their draft of five.
WPG Enterprises, Sydney, paid an $1008 average for a draft of six.
Mr Singh's Punjab offering averaged $1083 for the eight pigs sold.
Elders conducted the sale with Brian Kennedy as the auctioneer. AuctionsPlus provided the interface.
