Pig World is delighted to announce the members of the judging panel of the National Pig Awards. Comprising of some of the best known industry figures, the panel includes producers and industry experts alike.
The National Pig Awards is now in its second year after a highly successful launch in 2014. The awards are organised by Pig World in association with the NPA, AHDB Pork and the BPA.
Pig World publisher John Lewis said of the judging panel: “We felt it was very important to have a balance of technical experts and producers on the panel to ensure it has the necessary expertise. We’re delighted with the panel we have and would like to thank them for their time commitment.”
Stewart Houston (Chairman)
> A new chair of judges was needed this year as Andrew Knowles, who chaired exceptionally well last year, has taken up a new role at ForFarmers. The organisers were concerned they would struggle to find someone to do the job as well as Andrew, so couldn’t believe their luck when they discovered Stewart was available. What can we say about Stewart that hasn’t been said before? A CBE for services to the pig industry, David Black Award winner, previous chairman of BPEX and NPA…we could go on. Needless to say the organisers are thrilled Stewart is willing to commit his time to the National Pig Awards judging and the panel will benefit greatly from his experience.
Dr John Boyd
> Dr John Boyd is the national pig technical manager for ForFamers. He’s a commercial pig nutritionist with more than 30 years’ experience. His career started with Unilever Research where he headed up the team working on improving sow productivity, in addition to other projects on piglet starter and grower rations. Following on from this, a move to the commercial sector allowed him to gain significant and extensive experience with on farm advisory work in the UK and abroad, investigating the key issues facing pig producers from both a management and feeding point of view, the main aim being to improve the output of customers’ herds.
Sam Walton
> Sam Walton needs no introduction to the readers of Pig World. He is the founding editor of the title, a former pig producer and published author. He farms in Yorkshire when his current Pig World duties allow the time! He has unrivalled experience of British pig farms having visited most if not all (as well as a few in Thailand…) Prides himself on being able to find something new on every farm he visits.
Graeme Kirk
> Another who needs no introduction to the readers of Pig World. Graeme is the current editor and his role includes getting out to visit successful pig units, and keeping abreast of all innovations in the industry.
David Owers
> David is a previous winner of the National Pig Awards, having won the Single Site Producer of the Year in the inaugural awards last year. He operates a 700-sow farrow-to-finish unit that’s part of a larger 4,000-acre estate that is mostly arable, as well as having a beef suckler herd and a racehorse breeding stud. The panel will benefit hugely from his “producer eyes”.
Lizzie Wilson
> The NPA’s policy services officer, Lizzie Wison, has worked in the UK pig industry for 12 years. While much of her time is spent in Whitehall and Brussels these days, battling the increasing tide of welfare and environmental legislation, as a farmer’s daughter and a former employee of BQP and Elanco, she has a thorough grounding in practical pig production. All of which makes her ideally suited to judge the National Pig Award candidates.
