Multidirectional analysis of technical efficiency for pig production systems: The case of Sweden

Declining profitability and ongoing structural changes in the pig sector require thorough efficiency analysis of individual production factors. In this study we calculated technical efficiency indices for each input and output using multidirectional efficiency analysis and examined the relationship between 'farm-specific characteristics' and input and output technical efficiencies by production type (piglet, growing-finishing, finish-to-farrow). The results indicated that advisory services and farm location were not significantly correlated with technical efficiency. Similar results were obtained for 'housing practices', with the exception of the latest technology such as heated floors in relation to input labour technical efficiency for growing-finishing and finish-to-farrow productions. Use of written instructions for feeding for growing-finishing and finish-to-farrow production and written instructions for preventing infectious diseases for piglet production was associated with higher technical efficiency, for example for output from pigs. We were able to explain differences between less and more efficient livestock pig production in detail. The results obtained suggest that advisory services and politicians should devise separate approaches depending on which input and output efficiencies they mainly intend to improve and also on type of pig production.