CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE ALLIED TRADES AND PROFESSIONS
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MARKETING

The United Kingdom pig industry has undergone significant structural change over the past 20 years, with increasing concentration being seen in production, processing and retailing as the industry has contracted and now is in far fewer hands.

A particular challenge to pig marketing businesses therefore is to provide a marketing service to the many smaller producers still engaged in the industry whilst marketing their pigs to a much smaller customer base, many of whom are significant multi-national or national businesses.

Some pig marketing businesses are owned by their farmer customers, and are well placed to provide pig producers throughout the United Kingdom with a quality marketing service which focuses on producer choice and optimising producer returns, within the confines of the marketplace, for finished pigs, cull sows and boars and weaner pigs.

A major part of the marketing process involves analysing a producer's pigs against abattoir specification and associated costs of supply such as abattoir deductions and transport costs. Other factors will also be taken into account and may include an analysis of killing-out percentage and the provision of minimum price or banded contacts.

The role of the modern livestock marketing co-operative extends to the provision of other services, which form part of a whole range of individual business solutions tailored to producer's requirements. These services may include the supply of advanced genetics by AI or breeding stock from the major United Kingdom pig breeding companies together with professional independent advice, provision of feed, production advice and farm consumables at a considerable cost saving to pig producers.

As well as providing marketing services to producers, marketing co-operatives are required to service the needs of the major processors and small abattoirs in equal measure in providing the quantity and quality of pigs when required. The benefits of cheaper credit insurance and early payments are a feature of this service.

To be considered for a role within a pig marketing business, candidates are likely to be well- motivated self starters with relevant experience in an appropriate related field, a good communicator willing to establish relationships with customers and suppliers and must have a full clean UK driving licence.