The National Pig Awards are now open for entries, with the winners to be unveiled at an in-person awards ceremony in London, in the autumn.
The awards, now in their eighth year, will continue to showcase the very best that the British pig industry has to offer.
The deadline for entries is Friday, June 25, so if you think your business has what it takes to be the best in the categories below, or you know another business that does, now is the time to get ball rolling on the entry process!
The award categories will have a familiar look, recognising those who have excelled in pig production and rearing, stockmanship, unit management, pedigree breeding, marketing innovation and animal care. There will be the usual strong focus on the pig farmers and vets of the future, while the important allied sectors will be recognised.
The main award, Overall Pig Producer of the Year, won last year by Wayland Farms, is again sponsored by principal sponsor ForFarmers, with £2,000 in prize money on offer for the winner £500 for the runner up. The overall award will be split into Indoor and Outdoor categories.
2021 Award Categories
- Producer of the year – Sponsored by ForFarmers
- Indoor producer of the year – Sponsored by ForFarmers
- Outdoor Producer of the year – Sponsored by ForFarmers
- Finisher of the year – Sponsored by HIPRA
- Herd Productivity Award – Sponsored by Huvepharma
- Innovation of the year – Sponsored by Ceva
- Marketing Initiative of the year – Sponsored by Rattlerow
- Pedigree Breeder of the year
- Special Achievement of the year
- Stockman of the year
- Trainee of the year – Sponsored by PIC
- Unit manager of the year – Sponsored by Lanxess
- Young Farm vet of the year – Sponsored by Zoetis
- Young Pig farmer of the year – Sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim
For more information on the categories and to submit your entry, visit our dedicated awards website: www.nationalpigawards.co.uk
You will also find a contact for ticket details on the website.
Judging panel
We will be bringing together an expert panel of respected industry judges, under the chairmanship of Stewart Houston, who said he was delighted to be doing the job again.
“Last year was a phenomenal achievement from all concerned – the organisers, the hard-working judges and, above all, all those who entered – highlighting the resilience of the pig sector,” he said.
“In the most challenging of circumstances, we had a fantastic response, both in terms of the number and quality of entries.
“We had some great finalists and deserving winners, who are setting an example for others to follow, which is what these awards are all about.
“That said, it will be a pleasure to return to normality this year – and I am expecting the usual high standards from an industry with so much to be proud of. So, if you think you have something special to impress us with, then get your entry in!”
The awards night will feature the usual champagne reception and gala dinner, with a special guest presenter, bringing the industry together for its biggest night of the year.
Pig World publisher Simon Lewis said: “I was proud of what we did last year, but it is going to absolutely fantastic to be welcoming you all in person to this special event for the first time in two years.
“We have been celebrating excellence and innovation in the pig sector since 2014. It has been a very difficult year on many levels for all connected to the pig sector and we are really looking forward to getting the entries in and the judging moving and celebrating our industry champions in style in November. You all deserve a big night out!”
Chris Brant and David Black Awards
Alongside the National Pig Awards, the prestigious David Black and NPA Chris Brant Awards will be presented on the night.
Last year, British Pig Association chief executive Marcus Bates received the David Black Award for his ‘outstanding contribution to the pig sector, both in the UK and overseas’.
NPA chief executive Zoe Davies was a popular winner of the Chris Brant Award, in recognition of the ‘massive contribution’ she continues to make to the British pig industry.