2015 Spring Festival: Pig Section
A full programme of short seminars throughout the duration of the festival entitled,
“Profiting from Pigs”
The ‘Profiting from Pigs’ seminars offer a unique opportunity to gain invaluable advice and
knowledge from experts in their field. The seminars, which are run jointly by Farming Connect,
Hybu Cig Cymru and RWAS, are suitable for all calibre of pig keepers from smaller scale to
larger scale. All of our speakers will be happy to answer your questions and deal with any
topic from pig ground management to pig artificial insemination. We wish to extend a warm
welcome for all to attend one or more of the sessions during the festival.
Saturday 16th May, 2015
10:00am - 11:00am: Pork - adding value through direct sales
Cywain Project / Alison Everett, Home Farm Free Range Produce
Alison Everett, alongside husband David farm 7½ acres on the Bryn-y-Pys estate on the outskirts
of Wrexham. After moving to the Welsh countryside following a busy city life, they have developed
their own brand known as ‘Home Farm’ where they specialise in producing meat from their
own animals. They keep 93 pigs, with breeds ranging from the Middle Whites, Saddle Backs,
Gloucester Oldspots and Oxford Sandy and Blacks. They currently employ three full time staff to
occupy their busy farm shop. Alison and David have been working alongside the Cywain project
to develop a strong brand to reflect the quality of products produced on the farm.
11:00am - 12:00pm: Protecting your pigs - health and disease
Ben George, Usk Vets
Ben George is a practicing large animal vet in Monmouthshire. His ‘pig’ credentials include a
year spent as an assistant pigman with a 150 sow indoor herd. With the increasing popularity
of small herds of pigs Ben is keen to ensure that health and welfare are being maintained by
providing information and training to keepers of large and small scale herds.
1:00pm - 2:00pm: Aim to achieve with artificial insemination
Bob Stevenson, Stevenson Associates
Bob graduated from Glasgow University Veterinary Faculty in 1966, and went on to gain
an additional qualification in pig medicine in 1983. He maintained his fascination with the
species becoming President of the UK Pig Veterinary society in 1993 and President of the
British Veterinary Association in 1995. Bob attempted retirement in 2004 and again in 2010 but
remains as veterinary consultant to the British Pig Association, President of the Pedigree Welsh
Pig Society and a member of the UK Pig Health and Welfare Council. He was elected European
councillor for the World Veterinary Association in 2005 until 2014.He is the recently retired
chairman of AMTRA (Animal Medicine Training and Regulatory Authority) and remains an
assessor and verifier for City&Guilds.
2:00pm - 3:00pm: How to maintain and manage pig ground
Christine Coe, Chairwoman of the Pedigree Pork Committee, British Pig Association
Christine Coe began her pig enterprise in 1995 when she bought 67 acres of land with
buildings. Amongst these buildings she discovered a Berkshire pig, which she named ‘Matilda’.
Her interest in rare breeds grew from this and she now keeps 600 Berkshire pigs on her farm
in Staffordshire. In order to increase breed numbers, she realised that a market was required
for the meat. Christine now runs a successful farm shop and café as well as a pub where she
serves Berkshire pork, ham and sausage. Christine is also a recognised figure in the pedigree
pork industry, as chair of the Pedigree Pork Committee for the British Pig Association. Christine
outdoor rears all her pigs and has recently moved farms to give better ground coverage for
her herd.
2015 Spring Festival: Pig Section
A full programme of short seminars throughout the duration of the festival entitled,
“Profiting from Pigs”
The ‘Profiting from Pigs’ seminars offer a unique opportunity to gain invaluable advice and
knowledge from experts in their field. The seminars, which are run jointly by Farming Connect,
Hybu Cig Cymru and RWAS, are suitable for all calibre of pig keepers from smaller scale to
larger scale. All of our speakers will be happy to answer your questions and deal with any
topic from pig ground management to pig artificial insemination. We wish to extend a warm
welcome for all to attend one or more of the sessions during the festival.
Sunday 17th May, 2015
10:00am - 11:00am: How to maintain and manage pig ground
Christine Coe, Chairwoman of the Pedigree Pork Committee, British Pig Association
Christine Coe began her pig enterprise in 1995 when she bought 67 acres of land with
buildings. Amongst these buildings she discovered a Berkshire pig, which she named ‘Matilda’.
Her interest in rare breeds grew from this and she now keeps 600 Berkshire pigs on her farm in
Staffordshire. In order to increase breed numbers, she realised that a market was needed for the
meat. Christine now runs a successful farm shop and café as well as a pub where she serves
Berkshire pork, ham and sausage. Christine is also a recognised figure in the pedigree pork
industry, as chair of the Pedigree Pork Committee for the British Pig Association. Christine outdoor
rears all her pigs and has recently moved farms to give better ground coverage for her herd.
11:00am - 12:00pm: Protecting your pigs - health and disease
Dr Bob Stevenson, Stevenson Associates
Bob graduated from Glasgow University Veterinary Faculty in 1966, and went on to gain
an additional qualification in pig medicine in 1983. He maintained his fascination with the
species becoming President of the UK Pig Veterinary society in 1993 and President of the
British Veterinary Association in 1995. Bob attempted retirement in 2004 and again in 2010 but
remains as veterinary consultant to the British Pig Association, President of the Pedigree Welsh
Pig Society and a member of the UK Pig Health and Welfare Council. He was elected European
councillor for the World Veterinary Association in 2005 until 2014.He is the recently retired
chairman of AMTRA (Animal Medicine Training and Regulatory Authority) and remains an
assessor and verifier for City&Guilds.
1:00pm - 2:00pm: Understanding the meat inspection process
Dylan Roberts, Food Standards Agency
Dylan Roberts is employed by the Food Standards agency as a meat hygiene inspector
working in various meat plants in and around North Wales. He holds a qualification in meat
inspecting since 1990 and has a wealth of experience in pig meat inspection gained during
his nearly 25 year career. Dylan was brought up in the meat trade, spending time in the
family’s butcher shop and on their farm which produced finished livestock.
2:00pm - 3:00pm: Pork-adding value through direct sales
Cywain Project / Alison Everett, Home Farm Free Range Produce
Alison Everett, alongside husband David, farm 7½ acres on the Bryn-y-Pys estate on the outskirts
of Wrexham. After moving to the Welsh countryside following a busy city life, they have developed
their own brand known as ‘Home Farm’ where they specialise in producing meat from their
own animals. They keep 93 pigs, with breeds ranging from the Middle Whites, Saddle Backs,
Gloucester Oldspots and Oxford Sandy and Blacks. They currently employ three full time staff to
occupy their busy farm shop. Alison and David have been working alongside the Cywain project
to develop a strong brand to reflect the quality of products produced on the farm.