GLAZED ham and roast pork are a delicious addition to any festive feast, and Queensland pork farmers are urging families to buy local this Christmas.
With drought affecting much of the state, and the threat of African Swine Fever on our doorstep, farmers and industry leaders say it is more important than ever for consumers to embrace Australian pork.
The Scheid family has been farming pigs for almost 30 years.
Aaron Scheid said his parents Lea-Ann and Don started the business Merivale Farms on the Darling Downs 30 years ago with two other families, the Daleys and Steffans, with the Scheid's taking over in the last ten years.
"We are a family owned and operated pork production," Mr Scheid said.
"We have 1000 sows and we have a breeder place at Allora and once they are about eight weeks old they go out to our site at Bell."
The family sell 20,000 pigs a year to three Queensland wholesalers including Marcelford Meats, David Collins and the Jimbour butcher.
"They on-sell to butcher shops throughout Toowoomba, Ipswich, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and we sell direct to the Allora butcher as well."
Mr Scheid said the drought was taking a toll on his family operation.
"It is extremely dry and the majority of grain we are getting is coming all the way from Western Australia, so the grain cost is extremely high, the last couple of years have been extremely tough."
Mr Scheid said the best thing consumers could do was to buy Australian pork this Christmas.
"It absolutely will be the greatest gift to pork producers to buy Australian ham."
Pork Queensland president John Coward said farmers were working on tight margins.
"Prices to the farm gate are reasonable, however the big issue is the continued impact of the price of grain and feed relative to long term drought exposure. While there is a small margin in pork, it is still not a highly sustainable position.
"As far as supply goes, there has only been a small drop in the number of farmers who exited as a result of the drought."
Mr Coward said consumers would find Australian pork and ham in the same quantities as usual and prices would be on par with most years.
"As far as the boneless ham goes, up to 75 per cent comes in from overseas and as a result of African Swine Fever reaching Asia the price of imported pork has gone significantly higher. If ham has the bone in it, it's guaranteed to be Australian. To support Australian farmers, look for the pink logo on the pork packaging."
