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Number of pigs decreasing in Wales
Number has more than halved in ten years

The number of pigs in Wales has more than halved in just over ten years as production costs continue to increase, it has been revealed.

According to Meat Promotion Wales (MPW), there were just 25,600 pigs in Wales at the end of last year, compared to 65,200 in 2000.

Although prices have risen with each year, MPW says that producers currently get nearly £1.55 per kilogram, about 14p less than the cost of production.

John Richards, a spokesman for MPW, mainly blamed the high cost of feed, saying: "At the same time, the size of the Welsh pig herd continues to decline. A 4% drop in numbers to the year ending December 2011 saw the total number stand at 25,600. This is less than half the number in 2000 when there were 65,200 pigs in Wales."

The number of pigs passing through Welsh abattoirs in August was 2700 - 14% than 2011, and the third month in a row that numbers have declined. 

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.