Tributes have been paid to Malcolm Easey, founder of MJ & JA Easey, Easey Pigs Limited and Easey Herds Limited, who died on Sunday.
Former Pig World editor Sam Walton said: “The passing of Malcolm Easey is a huge loss to the pig industry. A born leader and an entrepreneurial figure, an early developer of the now popular bed and breakfast systems and an excellent pig farmer.”
“I have only once been to his headquarters and if first impressions count, you could not fail to be impressed. His attention to detail was phenomenal and as an illustration, we walked from the office to look round his immaculate feed mill, which meant crossing the open concrete yard, which literally gleamed.
“As we did so, a tractor pulled out of one of the sheds and as it did so, dry soil from the the tyres dropped off. I thought Malcolm was going to have a fit. He was on his mobile immediately and within a minute an industrial road sweeper appeared to tidy up the mess. Says it all really and an example to all of us.”
National Pig Association (NPA) chief executive Zoe Davies said: “This is a very sad day for the pig industry. This is a close-knit sector and we all feel it when we lose someone as respected as Malcolm.
“Malcolm Easey was a very important figure in our industry who went a long way to shaping how it looks today. He will be much missed and, on behalf of everybody at NPA, I send our condolences and best wishes to his family.”