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
    • 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. August 2025
    2. 2025 Maximising Pig Health supplement
    3. July 2025
    4. June 2025
    5. 2025 Innovation supplement
    6. May 2025
    7. April 2025
    8. March 2025
    9. 2025 Buildings supplement
    10. February 2025
    11. 2025 Nutrition Supplement
    12. January 2025
    13. December 2024
    14. November 2024
    15. 2025 National Pig Awards supplement
    16. October 2024
    17. September 2024
    18. August 2024
    19. 2024 Pig Health supplement
    20. July 2024
    21. June 2024
    22. 2024 Innovation supplement
    23. 2024 Pig & Poultry Fair Guide
    24. May 2024
    25. April 2024
    26. 2024 Buildings Supplement
    27. March 2024
    28. 2024 Pig Nutrition supplement
    29. February 2024
    30. January 2024
    31. December 2023
    32. November 2023
    33. 2023 National Pig Awards supplement
    34. October 2023
    35. September 2023
    36. Health Supplement
    Featured

    August 2025 issue of Pig World now available

    August 1, 2025
    Recent

    August 2025 issue of Pig World now available

    August 1, 2025

    2025 Maximising Pig Health supplement now available

    August 1, 2025

    July 2025 issue of Pig World now available

    July 6, 2025
  • Suppliers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • Manage Jobs
  • Classified
  • Events
    • Pigs Tomorrow
    • National Pig Awards
LinkedIn X (Twitter)
Pig World
News

Tributes paid, after respected pig farmer, Rob Beckett, passes away

Alistair DriverBy Alistair DriverJuly 7, 20253 Mins Read
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email

Warm tributes have been paid to influential and well-respected pig farmer, Rob Beckett, who passed away over the weekend, at the age of 57, following a brave battle with illness.

Rob was managing director of Yorkwold and in a statement on Monday morning, Joe Dewhirst, the company’s joint managing director, said: “It is with a very heavy heart that I must let you know the very sad news that our managing director Rob passed away peacefully at hospital last night surrounded by his family.

“Rob has made a phenomenal contribution to the business since he joined us in 2001, and he leaves a huge hole in our lives. However, his legacy will live on in everything the business has become under his tenure.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Rob’s family and loved ones at this difficult time.”

Rob joined Yorkwold in 2001 as production director designate, having managed a multi-site pig farming business in Shropshire. He rose over the years to his role as managing director, where he held overall responsibility for the running of the Driffield-based pig business, which has 8,000 breeding sows housed across 13 farms.

Rob also played a major role in the wider industry. He was a director of pig marketing group Thames Valley Cambac and became its chair in 2023.

NPA chief executive Lizzie Wilson said: “All of us at the NPA are devastated to hear this news. Rob made a huge contribution to the UK pig sector and was a dear friend to many within the industry. He will be greatly missed.”

In its weekly market update, UPC, formed from a merger of TVC with Scottish Pig Producers and Scotlean this year, said: “Rob was just 57 years old, taken far too soon, and his passing leaves a deep void, not just in our organisation, but across the wider agricultural and pig industry communities.

“He was not only our chairman but also Managing Director of Yorkwold Pigpro, where he earned widespread respect for his wisdom, integrity, and enduring commitment to British farming.

“He was one of life’s true gentlemen — thoughtful, fair, and quietly determined. His leadership, warmth, and sharp commercial insight have shaped the businesses he has been involved in over many years, and his loss will be keenly felt by colleagues, members, and industry partners alike.”

His influence extended through his work on the AHDB Pork Sector Council (2017–2023), the Pig Health and Welfare Council’s Welfare Committee, and the Real Welfare review group.

Angela Christison, AHDB Pork sector director said: “Rob had such passion and expertise within the sector, only matched by his kind and constructive manner. This combination brought so many positive impacts and for those of us who were lucky to work with him, so many good memories.

“The whole AHDB team and Pork Sector Council members send our most heartfelt condolences to the Beckett family, Rob will be forever remembered fondly by us all.”

Mike Sheldon, former AHDB Pork Sector Council Chair at the time Rob served, said: “Rob was one of the most thoughtful, constructive and diligent members of the Pork Sector Council that I could have wished for, and for that I am most grateful. Beyond that, however, Rob was great company and became a good friend who will be sorely missed by me along with all his other friends.”

Industry consultant Dominic Charman said: “As a mentor, customer and good person to have a drink with, Rob will be sorely missed and will leave a large hole in the industry. Rob always made time for important matters and for anyone who needed help.”

Share. LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Email
Previous ArticleComment: Market recovery, export growth and on-farm innovation
Next Article What the pig sector can learn from poultry’s avian flu response
Alistair Driver

Editor Pig World, group editor Agronomist and Arable Farmer and Farm Contractor. National Pig Association webmaster. Former political editor at Farmers Guardian. Occasional media pundit. Brought up on a Leicestershire farm. Works from a shed in his Oxfordshire garden.

Read Similar Stories

Warning closure of UK bioethanol plants would leave UK meat sector ‘vulnerable’ over CO2

August 21, 2025

Global pigmeat supplies forecast to grow over next decade

August 21, 2025

GB pig prices for week ending August 16, 2025 – SPP drops back again

August 20, 2025
Latest News

Warning closure of UK bioethanol plants would leave UK meat sector ‘vulnerable’ over CO2

August 21, 2025

Global pigmeat supplies forecast to grow over next decade

August 21, 2025

GB pig prices for week ending August 16, 2025 – SPP drops back again

August 20, 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 1770 Shropshire

    • Shropshire
    • Roadhogs Recruitment Ltd.
    • Full Time
  • Pig Stockperson Farm Worker – Ref 1769 UK

    • United Kingdom
    • Roadhogs Recruitment Ltd.
    • Full Time
  • Team Leader & Farrowing Manager

    • South Canterbury, New Zealand
    • Aparima Wharf 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.