North Farm Livestock, the UK’s biggest free-range pig business, has been crowned the 2025 National Pig Awards Overall Pig Producer of the Year.
The Norfolk-based business, which runs more than 7,000 breeding pigs across six outdoor herds, was also named the Outdoor Pig Producer of the Year. It picked the Overall award after going head-to-head with Indoor Pig Producer of the Year, Harper Adams University, at an awards ceremony attended by around 450 people in London on Monday night, hosted by popular comedian Lucy Porter.
The judges described North Farm Livestock as an ‘outstanding pig business that exemplified so much that is positive about the British pig industry’.
In the past 12 months, they have averaged 28 pigs weaned per sow per year, with pre-weaning mortality of just 6.45% and a mortality rate within the free-range herd of just 4.95%. There is a big focus within the business on sustainability, welfare and getting the best out of its committed staff team – including Eddie Clark, who picked up the Stockperson of the Year Award.
North Farm Livestock has recently committed to supporting Waitrose become entirely free range in its own-brand pork by 2027, and has invested to increase the scale of its free-range operation to almost 90,000 pigs by the end of this year.
Indoor winner
It was another successful night for Harper Adams University, which picked three awards, including the Indoor Pig Producer of the Year title.
The judges were very impressed with the overall performance of this unique, well-run 230-sow farrow-to-finish unit. Producing more than 35 pigs per sow per year, the university also picked up the Herd Productivity Award, while Matt Swaine, who oversees operations, was named Unit Manager of the Year.
It is designed to be as commercially representative as possible, but also allow for research into pig nutrition, genetics, environment and welfare.
OTHER WINNERS
Marketing Initiative of the Year – Lincolnshire Pork Co
The Lincolnshire Pork Co, run by the Ward family, produces 45,000 pigs a year in a high-welfare indoor system, with some carcases returned to the farm shop, Uncle Henrys, and butchered on site to produce a range of fresh, cured and cooked products.
In 2022, Uncle Henry’s rebranded to ‘The Lincolnshire Pork Co’. The brand is currently sold through the farm shop, 70 local Lincolnshire co-op stores and at artisan food and gift events, and is promoted through its website, at food fairs and by hosting educational visits,
Finisher of the Year – Len Boyd, M Keys Farm
Len does a consistently excellent job with the herd of 1,150 pigs, which he rears from 45kgs at M Keys Farm, in Northern Ireland. The judges were impressed with his attention to detail and approach to pig husbandry and animal welfare. His success is highlighted in the unit’s latest figures showing daily liveweight gain of 957.5 grams, an FCR of 2.53 and mortality of just 0.66%.
Stockperson of the Year – Eddie Clarke, North Farm Livestock
Eddie has worked for North Farm Livestock for almost 23 years and currently leads one of its free-range teams. Under his leadership, feed conversion rates and daily liveweight gain have improved markedly. Having spent more than 20 years as stockman, his employers say he is a credit to the company who has thrived in a new leadership role
Unit Manager of the Year- Matt Swaine, Harper Adams University
Matt runs Harper Adams University’s 230-sow farrow-to-finish unit, in Shropshire. Hugely committed to the industry, he fosters a supportive working environment for a team that consistently delivers tremendous results. His contribution to pig teaching, research and commercial production at the university is described as ‘exceptional’.
Pedigree Pig Breeder of the Year – Trish Horsley, Acaster Meats
Trish runs Acaster Meats, in North Yorkshire, consisting of more than 200 pigs representing a number of our iconic native breeds. The herd was established during the pandemic to promote rare breed British pigs to the local community. Pigs are butchered and packed back on site and the meat is sold online, locally and at fairs and shows.
NPA Allied Member of the Year – United Pig Cooperative
In the only category voted for by the pig farming public, UPC, the UK’s leading pig marketing co-operative came out on top. Formed earlier this year from a merger between Thames Valley Cambac, Scottish Pig Producers and Scotlean, the farmer-led cooperative markets pigs to all the UK’s major buyers but does so much more for its producer members.
Herd Productivity Award – Harper Adams University
Harper Adams University’s second win of the night reflected its hugely impressive production figures of more than 35 pigs weaned per sow per year, alongside an average finishing daily liveweight gain of 1,100g/day and a feed conversion ratio of 2.3. There is much more to the unit than just the numbers, however, as it combines top-notch commercial performance with vital research and teaching.
Trainee of the Year – China Smith, Pilgrim’s Europe
China, a former teaching assistant from a non-farming background, now works with a closed herd of Landrace sows at a Pilgrim’s Europe unit in Lincolnshire. She has stood out and shown a real willingness to learn and put it all into practice, including noticeably improving weaning weights and body condition since she started feeding farrowing sows. Her employer said China could progress far in the industry.
Young Pig Farmer of the Year – Molly Gimson, A & S Gimson
Molly works for family business A & S Gimson, which runs an 1,100-sow outdoor unit in Suffolk Mainly based in the farrowing section, she is getting more involved with running the wider business. Highlighting her initiative and drive, Molly has set up Pigs In…, a converted horse trailer with a kitchen in which she creates a variety of pork products to sell at pubs and events.
Farm Vet of the Year – Alex Thomsett, George Veterinary Group
Alex Thomsett has been a practising vet at the George Veterinary Group since graduating. During her clinical work, she has been integral in several disease elimination programmes in large breeding pyramids, resulting in improved health, productivity and reduced antimicrobial use. She does a huge amount to support the wider industry and is currently vice president of the Pig Veterinary Society.
Sustainable Farming Award – Rattlerow Farms
The judges were hugely impressed with the all-round approach to sustainability adopted by Rattlerow Farms, one of the largest independent pig genetics businesses in Europe. This includes use of the farm’s cereals for feed, the spreading of muck and slurry on its arable land, a big focus on productivity and efficiency to reduce its environmental footprint and increased use of renewable energy. It is carefully tracking its carbon footprint.
Here is the full list of winners:
- Overall Pig Producer of the Year – North Farm Livestock
- Outdoor Pig Producer of the Year – North Farm Livestock
- Indoor Pig Producer of the Year – Harper Adams University
- Farm Vet of the Year – Alex Thomsett, George Veterinary Group
- Finisher of the Year – Len Boyd, M Keys Farms
- Herd Productivity Award – Harper Adams University
- Marketing Initiative of the Year – Lincolnshire Pork Co
- NPA Allied Member of the Year – United Pig Cooperative
- Pedigree Pig Breeder of the Year – Trish Horsley, Acaster Meats
- Stockperson of the Year – Eddie Clark, North Farm Livestock
- Sustainable Farming Award– Rattlerow Farms
- Trainee of the Year – China Smith, Pilgrim’s Europe
- Unit Manager of the Year – Matthew Swaine, Harper Adams University
- Young Pig Farmer – Molly Gimson, A & S Gimson