AHDB Pork is looking for four producers to become new Strategic Farm hosts in 2018.
The first AHDB Pork Strategic Farmer, David Goodier, from near Wetherby, who piloted the initiative last year, is due to host his fourth meeting on January 15. As previously, producers and the allied industry are invited to hear details of the on-farm changes and discuss latest results.
Following his success, AHDB Pork is now looking for new farmers, who will be working with other producers and allied industry to find new, practical ideas to improve their unit’s performance, focusing on water quality and delivery and practical farm hygiene. Each host producer will also be choosing two further areas to look at, specific to their business.
AHDB Pork senior knowledge exchange manager Kate Mellor said: “We’re ready to build on the success of the pilot initiative at David Goodier’s, adding more pig farmers to AHDB’s network of Strategic Farms in 2018.”
For more information and an application form, click here or you can contact your knowledge exchange manager for a chat.
The deadline for applications is Wednesday 14 February.
Mr Goodier said he saw a unique opportunity to learn and improve his 230-sow unit through taking part in the initiative. “I’ve benefited from the pooling of ideas from other producers and industry advisors, with plenty of practical suggestions on what I could change to help improve pig performance,” he said.
At next week’s meeting, Mr Goodier will review his overall performance against targets and current activities, including the progress being made to understand why the unit is not achieving the target exit weight from the rearing herd and how the new finishing building is performing. The agenda will also include:
- Gilt and young sow management
- Nutrition
- Ventilation
- Water quality
The meeting is at The Bridge Hotel, Wetherby, LS22 5HS, 6.00pm to 8.30pm and there will be dinner during the evening.
Register by emailing naiya.khatri@ahdb.org.uk or calling 01904 771 212.
You can read a full report the latest developments on Mr Goodier’s farm in the January issue of Pig World.