Pig World
  • News
      • Animal Health
      • Breeding
      • Business
      • Environment
      • EU
      • Food Safety
      • Housing
      • Marketing
      • NPA
      • National Pig Awards
      • New Products
      • Nutrition
      • People
      • Pig Fair
      • Politics
      • Training & Education
      • Welfare
  • Features
    • Animal Health
    • Breeding
    • Environment
    • Farm Visits
    • Herd Recording
    • Housing
    • Marketing
    • Nutrition
    • Products
    • Training
  • Comment
    • AHDB Pork
    • Chris Fogden
    • Dennis Bridgeford
    • Peter Crichton
    • Red Robin
    • Veterinary View
    • Zoe Davies, NPA
  • Numbers
  • Pig Prices
  • Magazines
    • September 2025
    • August 2025
    • 2025 Maximising Pig Health supplement
    • July 2025
    • June 2025
    • 2025 Innovation supplement
    • May 2025
    • April 2025
    • March 2025
    • 2025 Buildings supplement
    • February 2025
    • 2025 Nutrition Supplement
    • January 2025
    • December 2024
    • November 2024
    • 2025 National Pig Awards supplement
    • October 2024
    • September 2024
    • August 2024
    • 2024 Pig Health supplement
    • July 2024
    • June 2024
    • 2024 Innovation supplement
    • 2024 Pig & Poultry Fair Guide
    • May 2024
    • April 2024
    • 2024 Buildings Supplement
    • March 2024
    • 2024 Pig Nutrition supplement
    • February 2024
    • January 2024
    • December 2023
    • November 2023
    • 2023 National Pig Awards supplement
    • October 2023
    • September 2023
    • Health Supplement
  • Suppliers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • Manage Jobs
  • Classified
  • Events
    • Pigs Tomorrow
    • National Pig Awards
Podcast
Pig WorldPig World
  • News
      • Animal Health
      • Breeding
      • Business
      • Environment
      • EU
      • Food Safety
      • Housing
      • Marketing
      • NPA
      • National Pig Awards
      • New Products
      • Nutrition
      • People
      • Pig Fair
      • Politics
      • Training & Education
      • Welfare
  • Features
    • Animal Health
    • Breeding
    • Environment
    • Farm Visits
    • Herd Recording
    • Housing
    • Marketing
    • Nutrition
    • Products
    • Training
  • Comment
    • AHDB Pork
    • Chris Fogden
    • Dennis Bridgeford
    • Peter Crichton
    • Red Robin
    • Veterinary View
    • Zoe Davies, NPA
  • Numbers
  • Pig Prices
  • Magazines
    1. September 2025
    2. August 2025
    3. 2025 Maximising Pig Health supplement
    4. July 2025
    5. June 2025
    6. 2025 Innovation supplement
    7. May 2025
    8. April 2025
    9. March 2025
    10. 2025 Buildings supplement
    11. February 2025
    12. 2025 Nutrition Supplement
    13. January 2025
    14. December 2024
    15. November 2024
    16. 2025 National Pig Awards supplement
    17. October 2024
    18. September 2024
    19. August 2024
    20. 2024 Pig Health supplement
    21. July 2024
    22. June 2024
    23. 2024 Innovation supplement
    24. 2024 Pig & Poultry Fair Guide
    25. May 2024
    26. April 2024
    27. 2024 Buildings Supplement
    28. March 2024
    29. 2024 Pig Nutrition supplement
    30. February 2024
    31. January 2024
    32. December 2023
    33. November 2023
    34. 2023 National Pig Awards supplement
    35. October 2023
    36. September 2023
    37. Health Supplement
    Featured

    September 2025 issue of Pig World now available

    September 1, 2025
    Recent

    September 2025 issue of Pig World now available

    September 1, 2025

    August 2025 issue of Pig World now available

    August 1, 2025

    2025 Maximising Pig Health supplement now available

    August 1, 2025
  • Suppliers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • Manage Jobs
  • Classified
  • Events
    • Pigs Tomorrow
    • National Pig Awards
LinkedIn X (Twitter)
Pig World
Cameron Naughton

Mediocrity is not an option, it’s a way of life… but I have a plan

Guest WritersBy Guest WritersMarch 1, 20173 Mins Read
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email

During a mid-life crisis 15 years ago, I was fortunate enough to win a Nuffield Scholarship, which gave me a fantastic opportunity to look at the workings of the UK pigmeat supply chain. One of my most obvious conclusions was that ‘mediocrity is not an option’ to survive as a UK producer.

Having now turned 50, my latest mid-life crisis has concluded that on an outdoor pig unit in February, with the rain lashing down and mud up to my privates, my younger, more enthusiastic self was only partially right: mediocrity is not an option, it’s a way of life.
So, as the pigs get faster and I get slower, I’m faced with the choice of: get out or get on.

For years, we have struggled to get above 22 pigs weaned per sow per year – average for an outdoor herd – but as the lower performing herds drop out, the average rises and we start to look like relegation candidates (like my beloved Bristol City, but that’s another story).
The 1,000 Pig Project was born: a 500-sow herd weaning an extra pig per litter is an extra 1,000 pigs per year – simple.

It’s always unlikely that any one thing will raise performance by 10%, but each small gain adds up. The obvious place to start is the farrowing department, where results are variable on our less-than-ideal site, especially in winter.

When you farm on exposed downland at an altitude of 700 feet, anyone in their right mind would keep their sows indoors. So of course, I keep mine outdoors.
We can’t do anything about the land or weather, but we can try to control the controllable.

“For years, we have struggled to get above 22 pigs weaned per sow per year – average for an outdoor herd – but as the lower performing herds drop out, the average rises and we start to look like relegation candidates”

A magpie-like collection of junk and hours of work from Dodgy and Tony have ensured that all huts are insulated and in good repair.
Extra access tracks have enabled us to get closer to the huts for the tedious task of winter bedding-up. We have baled multipack big bales, which are nearly as convenient as small bales for getting crumbly straw into huts.

Careful attention is being given to ensuring that the gilts are now suckling at least 10 piglets a week after farrowing.
That should ensure proper development of the udder line, which will pay dividends on subsequent litters. Ad-lib hoppers now allow the sows to achieve greater feed intake during peak lactation, leading to excellent weaning weights and less feed wastage.

In comparison to previous winters, the results of these changes are encouraging.
Unfortunately, our conception rates – which are usually excellent – have plummeted, especially among the older sows.
Perhaps they are getting too fat on the ad-lib rations and we might need to try a lower energy ration, which should also save money. Muriel will be pleased!

Share. LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Email
Previous ArticleSet a high water-mark for pig growth rates
Next Article Whatever happens post-Brexit, you won’t find us reaching for growth hormones
Guest Writers

Read Similar Stories

Vet View: Managing heat stress in pigs

August 6, 2025

Comment: Was the move indoors the right decision for us?

August 4, 2025

Comment: British pork reimagined: Data-led marketing for a changing consumer

July 9, 2025
Latest News

Cranswick ‘disappointed’ after Environment Agency rejects permit for proposed Norfolk development

September 4, 2025

Nearly 50,000 pigs culled after African swine fever outbreaks in Latvia and Estonia

September 4, 2025

Scotland’s PRRS project to receive further government funding

September 4, 2025
Sponsored Content

Enhancing Weaned Pig Health and Performance with Zinc and Iron

August 1, 2025

THE GATEKEEPER OF RESPIRATORY HEALTH – MYCOPLASMA HYOPNEUMONIAE (M.HYO)

April 30, 2024
Current Pig Industry jobs
  • Pig Stockperson – Ref 1774 Aberdeenshire

    • Aberdeenshire
    • Roadhogs Recruitment Ltd.
    • Full Time
  • Pig Stockperson – Ref 1773 Aberdeenshire

    • Aberdeenshire
    • Roadhogs Recruitment Ltd.
    • Full Time
  • Senior Pig Stockperson – Ref 1772 Aberdeenshire

    • Aberdeenshire
    • Roadhogs Recruitment Ltd.
    • Full Time
GETTING IN TOUCH
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Meet The Editors
  • About Us
  • Email Newsletters
  • Subscribe
  • Reuse permissions
OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
PARTNER EVENTS
RELATED SITES
  • Farmers Weekly
  • Agronomist & Arable Farmer
  • Farm Contractor
  • National Pig Awards
  • Pigs Tomorrow
  • Poultry News
  • Weekly Tribune
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
© 2024 MA Agriculture Ltd, a Mark Allen Group company

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.