Serhiy Harbuzuyk, deputy director of Servoluks-Genetik, LLC

— How did the idea to rearing pigs originate?

— Animal husbandry is a very promising branch for Ukraine, one must just see it. But under current market conditions must we must work with good genetic to develop pig production. That is why our company together with Hypor submitted a joint project called “Breeding pigs of pure lines inUkraine” to the Dutch Government in 2005. It was approved by theNetherlands’ Government

— The Dutch pig production industry offers a wide range of genetic companies. Why did you choose Hypor?

— The choice is not that wide indeed. We must work with the best genetic to be competitive in modern animal husbandry. But there are only a few first- rate ones in the world. Hypor, which belongs to Hendrix Genetics group is a mong them. We had a positive experience of cooperation with this genetic in neighboringBelarus, where the group of companies “Servoluks” keep the leading position on the market in poultry production. And we have bwcome convinced that only qualified and gifted specialists work in Hypor Company.

— You can be called pioneers on breeding market of Ukraine...

— Well, may be not pioneers, but our task was really unique. I often joke than I have got a list of new professions thanks to project implementation. Our breeding herd is really one of the best. But I have to emphasize that we are not for monopoly, but for balanced market and healthy competitiveness. Ukraineneeds not more than 5-6 nucleus farms to provide the country with high quality breeding material. It would be great if there was a clear robust reproduction pyramid at our market: nucleus — multipliers — production herds. Under such circumstances it would be possible to have a feedback with enterprises and be informed about what the market really needs.

— Considering that fact that your animals have special health status they need special conditions of housing.

— According to the European standards those conditions are ordinary ones. The secret of success is very easy — provide animals with proper lighting and handling, good quality water, feeds and constant control and you’ll get the best result. Feeding needs a special attention. We buy feeds at least from two companies. I guess Ukrainian pig producers don’t ponder the question why.

— Who has got the honor to “cook” for your animals?

— We always look for the best quality, not for the cheapest price. For each breed we’ve developed a separate feeding system and normally we choose the feeds according to the most demanding one. The cheapest feeds we give cost UAH 3,000 per ton, while starter feeds can even amount to UAH 5,000 per ton. Our animals eat more and have faster metabolism. But all expenses for feeds are well-founded: our pigs gain appropriate weight during 150 days, instead of 190 days.

— What aims were set at the very beginning and do you consider them materialized?

— First of all we wanted our pig producers to become independent from importation of breeding material. It means not only economic dependence, but also epizootic threat which has being a burning issue recently. If an enterprise buys breeding animals abroad, later it will have to buy replacement pigs from the same farm to renew blood, since every farm has its own bacterial fond and by brining animals from different places one can make a threatening bacterial cocktail.

— What is the uniqueness of the breeding herd of “Servolux- Genetic”?

— What housing conditions and means of veterinary security provide its highest health status (SPF)?

— How is waste utilized on “Servolux- Genetic”?

— Does the farm plan to produce their own biogas?

— What are the production records they are proud of?

— What plans are to be implemented in the nearest future?

— Why don’t they relay on government support?

— The staff is among the secrets of success. How do they choose emploees and motivate them?

You can read more in the magazine publication "Profitable Pig Production", №3 (5), September 2011.