To increase sow capacity, efficiencies in pork supply chain
Pilmico Foods Corp. continues with its investments in its swine raising business, supporting the hog raising industry with initiatives such as increasing sow capacity, heightened biosecurity, farm zoning, and introducing efficiencies in the pork supply chain.
These initiatives aim to encourage long-term growth and help secure the future of the livestock industry in collaboration with key stakeholders.
The food company continues to expand its swine herd in the wake of ASF and is looking to further modernize the processing of pork with its operation of Tarlac Meatmasters, Pilmico’s triple-A slaughter and meat cutting facility in Bamban, Tarlac that aims to process and serve quality meat to consumers in Luzon.
“As a robust support system to the pork supply chain, the facility brings world-class processes, innovative technology and solutions, and the highest standards of food safety and traceability to produce uncompromised quality pork meat cuts. We are looking forward to working with other raisers in the industry and give them access to a facility that will help maximize their recovery and profit,” Aboitiz shared.
With a daily slaughtering capacity of 1,500 heads of hogs, the facility is equipped with the newest state-of-the-art technology which includes a meats management system that gives performance information and traceability of the pigs from “farm to fork.”
Aside from the strict enforcement of biosecurity protocols in all Pilmico facilities, all Pilmico meat pass through the National Meat Inspection Services-accredited meat processing facilities while transported live pigs have the required permits from BAI and Provincial Veterinary Offices.
In addition to Tarlac Meatmasters, Pilmico has implemented its #M3Time campaign, which focuses on disease prevention and health accountability, underlining the importance of biosecurity in the food industry and streamlining it into three points: Maglinis, Magtanong, Manigurado. This raises awareness among local backyard farmers to help protect their livelihood.
Local farmers receive the #M3Time checklist, a 10-step guide to ensure strict implementation of biosecurity in backyard farms. Pilmico technical experts, veterinarians, and specialists guide them through the checklist by giving advice and helping them complete the steps.
These include limiting movement of people across sites; establishing decontamination areas for people, materials, and vehicles; setting up centralized transfer stations for hogs to limit exposure; and prohibiting entry of cooked or uncooked pork products in the facilities, among others.
