Pigs 2022 – Mouse board takes chequered flag in Innovation Grand Prix

The Innovation Conference ended with the announcement of the UK Innovative Producer award.

North Yorkshire producer Matt Donald triumphed with his plastic ‘mouse board’, which is placed on retaining walls under slatted floors to make them easier to wash and clean and to prevent mice climbing up into the building.

He submitted three examples of his work to the first EU PiG Grand Prix, which aimed to identify and promote examples of best practice across the industry, and his rodent-defeating invention was judged to be the best of the UK entries.

The mouse board is one of many practical examples of the whole farm’s ethos to improving the hygiene and longevity of its buildings.

All UK entries are now being judged among the 247 Grand Prix entries received from across the EU.
The winning producers will be appointed EU PiG ambassadors.

‘A great conference’

Pig World rounded up some reflections on Pigs 2022 at the end of the conference, here’s what delegates and exhibitors had to say:
“The conference has been excellent. We had a wide variety of speakers. The first day looked globally at what is happening in the industry and the second day has been more farm-specific. It has been really good, well-attended and people seem to have gotten something out of it.”
Richard Lister, NPA chairman and Yorkshire farmer

“It was a great event. Very interesting, dynamic and with some really good content on both the present and future of pig production. Congratulations.”
Alex Carvalho, MSD Animal Health pig business manager

“It has been interesting and the speakers have been of a very high-calibre. When you have got significant money invested in pigs it was reassuring to hear the speakers talk about the positive outlook for pork worldwide over the next five years. It was also great to have the chance for the industry to meet up.”
Andrew Freemantle, Devon producer

“It was a great conference and dinner. The venue was ideal and provided interesting and varied food over the two days. We had some great speakers, especially after dinner on the Tuesday night. There was a real buzz and the time set aside for networking was just right.”
Stewart Houston, chair of National Pig Awards judging panel

“Pigs 2022 was an excellent event, well organised, with excellent content, enjoyed by a large number of the pig industry. Congratulations. Your events are creating a hub for the pig industry and a superb communication network – it really is great to see.”
Sally Hayton, Collinson marketing manager

“My primary purpose was to meet up with other people from the industry, which I was able to do. In terms of the speakers, it’s been great. I fundamentally agree with the concept put forward that we control antibiotic usage via management. The use of antibiotics is often a cover up for poor management.”
Ian Campbell

“On top of the quality of the excellent speakers, it has been a most timely event. We detect a significant change in the industry’s attitude to the employment of technology and they are beginning to realise the value of it. I don’t think I have ever heard so many complimentary comments about an event.”
Nick McIvor, AM Warkup