The biennial British Pig and Poultry Fair, which returns on May 12 and 13, is set to give attendees access to the latest innovations, ideas and the ability to network with industry experts who will help businesses run better and more efficiently.
This year, there will be more around 350 exhibitors at the two-day Fair, which takes place at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, showcasing a wide range of products covering all aspects of pig production.
The event will focus on the is enormous pressure on farmers to change and adapt to meet consumer and environmental demands, according to event organiser Alice Bell, who said:“The 2020 Pig & Poultry Fair is a two-day tool-box aimed at providing producers with everything they need for their businesses to flourish.”
She added that whether it is the latest technology to boost efficiency or sharing ideas with like minded farmers investing time in a day at the Fair is invaluable for every pig and poultry business: “The event is guaranteed to provide plenty to think about and take home to implement on farm.”
For the pig producers, topics will include event partner ABN focusing on optimal feeding and gut health, and AHDB looking at managing for performance, while also balancing health, welfare and environmental factors.
Previous fairs have provided inspiration and ideas to pig farmers, including Charlie Thompson, who produces pedigree pigs from his 650 strong sow herd in Northampton, who said of previous years: “We changed our washing and disinfecting system to the MS Schippers Greenline system after attending the Fair; it makes it very easy for our staff to use as it applies the disinfectant and detergent at the correct dilution.”
He added that the Fair is a good chance to see a lot of suppliers in one place and get hands-on with the equipment, and this year, their focus at the fair will be slurry management and new ideas for fulfilling the welfare code.
Stephen Thompson, who operates a Sheffield-based farrowing business, said his focus for the Fair will be to view the shed construction options with a view to replace their fattening sheds and developing their farrowing accommodation: “Every year we invest in the buildings because you can’t afford not to. We use a lot of milk and are hand mixing at the moment, so mechanisation will be time-saving and reduce labour.”
The British Pig and Poultry Fair is the leading event for the UK pig, poultry and egg sectors, and will be held on 12-13 May 2020 at Stoneleigh, Warwickshire. The Fair is free to attend, for registration visit www.pigandpoultry.org.uk
