Researchers aiming to spice up welfare within the pig trade are calling on farmers working with pigs and others to attend a free workshop at Harper Adams College in January.
The Farming Futures: A Good Life for Pigs occasion has been organised by Dr Holly Vickery and Dr Laura Palczynski and is open to everybody concerned within the trade, whether or not they’re a farm supervisor, proprietor, or employee, or play a wider position within the trade reminiscent of a pig veterinarian, diet advisor or trade consultant.
- The occasion will likely be held on Friday, January 10 and people keen on attending can register at harper.ac.uk/pigjan25
Dr Palczynski stated: “The day will centre round energetic conversations and dialogue with, and between individuals, as we wish to hear their views, however may even embrace talks about present farm animal welfare goals within the UK – The Farm Animal Welfare Council’s thought of a ‘Good Life’ – and the way improvements might assist to fulfil these.
“Our resident pig specialist Alan Stewart will likely be sharing the sorts of methods the Harper Pig Unit at present makes use of – and will use sooner or later.
“We may even be touring the Harper Adams Future Farm to think about the tech and improvements used on the dairy and the way a few of these may switch to the pig trade. We’ve even thrown in a free lunch for all concerned!”
Whereas the day will embrace a chance to see the Future Farm, the staff additionally wish to hear extra about how these in trade assume analysis from establishments reminiscent of Harper Adams might be virtually utilized elsewhere.
Dr Vickery added: “To ensure that analysis to be helpful and have affect, it must be aligned to trade wants – and to do this we have to totally perceive what obstacles and alternatives might exist.
“Thats why we wish to hear from these immediately concerned within the trade, and particularly farmers themselves, in order that we are able to perceive how finest to plan and prioritise future analysis.
“We are able to suggest a number of methods to enhance pig welfare, however what we actually want to think about is how these will virtually work.
“We wish to search for the win-wins: alternatives to enhance pig welfare alongside advantages for employees whether or not that’s time saving, making duties simpler, streamlining admin, in addition to being financially viable and cost-effective.
“If we are able to present that methods make good enterprise sense – and we embed that purpose from the beginning – they’re extra possible for use.”
Dr Palczynski added: “To spice up pig welfare, methods have to be put into motion. That is your likelihood to tell us what does – or doesn’t – have potential to be broadly utilized in the actual world, and what assist you might want that can assist you use this analysis!”
