Key discussion points

Building confidence across the chain will be the theme for industry speakers in the Pig Central Feature seminar line-up.

Starting the programme on both days will be Yorks-based producer Richard Longthorp, who will be promoting the need for staff training – an area he says has been ad-hoc for too long in the pig industry.

BQP’s production manager, Howard Revell, will give a seminar on investing in housing, detailing the BPEX building project and the merits of investing in straw barn buildings that can take 560 pigs from weaning at 7kg through to 100kg.

SAC’s David Strachan will lead discussions on improvements in herd health status and the financial rewards they have brought to the industry.

Continuing the Fair’s prominent theme of environmental issues, the Environment Agency will be kicking off two new seminars to prepare producers in the run-up to introduction of IPPC.

The agency will also use the seminar slots to discuss the new set of agricultural waste regulations, due to be introduced on 15 May, affecting all farmers.

Alongside the Environment Agency, the NFU and DEFRA will both have slots discussing matters on climate change, and presentations will be made by Agrosoft and Devenish Nutrition.

These will all take place in the combined area running throughout the day.

Having received 13 excellent nominations, the winner of the Pig Industry Service Award will be announced at the Fair on 9 May at 12.30.

With the theme for this year’s competition being outstanding ambassadorship, the judges were looking for a producer considered to be an advertisement for the best of the British industry and one with the confidence to invest in the future, says chairman of judges and RASE chief executive John Moverley.