Lincolnshire producer James Ross has won the 2024 Farmers Weekly Pig Farmer of the Year award, with the judges describing him as a ‘shining example of the attitude and passion needed to ensure the longevity of the British pig industry’.
James, who received his award the Farmers Weekly awards in London last week, is farm manager of a 1,750-sow herd, which runs across two outdoor units, operating a two-week batch, five-week weaning system, using largely single-sire, purebred Landrace genetics. They produce weaned pigs for BQP, with James now targeting 10kg average weaning weights, an increase from the 8-9kg previously.
Dyke Farm, founded in 2021, acts as a multiplier herd, producing its own replacement gilts using single sire Landrace semen, and F1’s for Elms Farm, which was established in 2018, using large white semen.
The two units are separately from each other, with their own staff and machinery, helping to ensure good biosecurity.
The approach has been ramped up over the past year following a devastating PRRS outbreak in January 2023. Although this had a huge impact on the business, James said it was a big learning curve and presented an opportunity to double down on management and, as a result, production is now better than the pre-PRRS levels.
Next generation
Thorough record-keeping is an important part of the attention to detail that has made the farm a success and, according to James, is integral to maintaining high standards and production levels.
The unit employs eight staff, one of which is part time, and a staff WhatsApp group ensure everyone is aware of the tasks to be completed, and what other staff members are doing, on a daily basis.
James organises regular team building events, such as comedy nights and cinema trips, to help gel the team, and has a passion for bringing in people from outside the industry. He offers comprehensive training, on and off the farm, to make new staff feel valued and invested in.
“I have a passion for training and guiding the next generation of farmers, and leading them into the industry,” he said.
“It can be very rewarding to take people who have never worked on farms before and train them up [to be] top level stockman and machinery operators.
“Yes, it is time consuming – and requires a lot of patience – but for me, this is all worth it. Nothing would be possible without their hard work.”
To minimise the impact of pigs on the soil, James establishes grass leys before re-siting pigs and leaves grass margins around the edges of the fields, which enhances and preserves soil structure. Wildflower strips have also been planted to provide opportunities for pollinators.
What the judges said
The judges, who included the NPA’s Katie Jarvis, said: “James is a shining example of the attitude and passion needed to ensure the longevity of the British pig industry. The farm and the herd are reaping the rewards of his attention to detail.”