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BPEX Practical Pig App training tool doubled in size
We've just doubled the size of the BPEX Practical Pig App with a new range of video clips added for the wean-to-finish herd. There are more than 40 new videos demonstrating practical tasks, from...
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Focus on ‘the three Rs’ to tackle seasonality
Given the last few winters we’ve had, it’s hardly surprising that sows do not want to farrow during the colder months. But there are measurements producers can take this summer to give real-time...
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Piglet weight increasing as stockmanship improves
Pig stockpeople are improving both pig productivity and their own skills, helped along by the BPEX Stockman Development Scheme and Stockman Plus courses which we ran in the north and east this year....
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Farrowing tent aims to reduce piglet mortality
Our BPEX outdoor farrowing tent field trial is yielding positive results so far, including up to 50% savings in straw usage, compared with traditional arcs, as well as easier access for staff.The...
View ArticleModified dry sow arcs aim for targeted feeding
I’ve been working with an outdoor producer to set up a new trial to target delivery of feed into modified dry sow arcs, with the help of a BPEX Innovation Fund grant.The producer started thinking about...
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Innovation Conference: feeding every pig its exact requirements
If you've not yet had chance to catch up with the presentations and speaker videos from this year's BPEX Innovation Conference, they're all available here to view. Meeting the exact nutrient...
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Coping with larger litters
An increase in sow performance and larger litter sizes in the English industry has highlighted challenges with weaning and rearing the extra pigs and BPEX is helping producers find solutions to...
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Avoiding any guesswork in on-farm decisions
The changes that can make the biggest difference to pig performance and cost-cutting are often flagged up by recording and spending time understanding data. So BPEX has provided a Recording Toolkit to...
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Sharing ideas from other farms
When BPEX finds practical ideas on farm that are innovative and effective, it aims to tell others about it in its short Farm Case Study factsheets. The series helps share how producers do things so...
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Wean-to-service sow diets: impact on litter size
Good oocyte (egg) production and quality have a major impact on litter size and sows need careful nutritional management to achieve it, particularly during the wean-to-service period.Improving litter...
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Video: manures and slurries are valuable assets
Manures and slurries are no longer a waste product for disposal, they are a valuable asset to be utilised.BPEX has produced a short video which demonstrates on-farm testing of pig slurry to determine...
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Keep the momentum with feed conversion and growth
Feeding herd growth and feed conversion continued to get better in the year to June 2014, according to the latest Agrosoft data. The feed conversion ratio in the rearing stage improved marginally at...
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Manage soil to boost benefits for both pig and arable farmers
We have added four new video clips on soil management for outdoor pig units to the BPEX Practical Pig App and website. The short videos are presented by Tim Schofield, FWAG farm conservation adviser,...
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Users rate BPEX Practical Pig App
The hundreds who have used the BPEX Practical Pig App so far have rated it 4.8 out of 5 and BPEX is encouraging even more people to download it to help build practical skills on pig units. The free...
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Practical pig husbandry qualification updated
We have revised and re-organised the pig industry Certificate of Competence in pig husbandry skills, with some changes to the assessment criteria and the learner manuals, which are now available. The...
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Help keep disease out of the UK
Keeping African Swine Fever (ASF) out of Britain must be a top priority for the industry and government alike. One of the major risks is the accidental introduction by somebody returning from an...
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Why stockmen should be there at farrowing
Being present to monitor farrowing is key to helping the newborn piglet get a good start and reducing piglet mortality rates. Newborn management is an important factor in achieving one extra pig weaned...
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Catch up online with pig producer event presentations
Videos of all the speakers at the BPEX Regional Producer Events are available to catch up with online. The programme featured presentations on how to improve key aspects of pig production management at...
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Novel alternative to classroom learning
BPEX is encouraging producers to try out its Practical Pig App as a simple and free way to help build practical skills on pig units. Some stockmen don’t always feel that comfortable in a classroom...
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Assess options for pig building investments
Optimising the environment in which pigs are reared and finished is important for maximising health and productivity. However, with profit margins tight for many pig producers, investment in pig...
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The importance of water
Water quality and availability are key to pig performance but are often overlooked. Pig producers should ensure they look at water supply, as well as analysing feed, when investigating any performance...
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On-farm evaluation of carcase cooling containers
Trials are underway looking at the benefits of chilling fallen stock before collection, with cooling containers now installed and operational on two trial farms. The aim is to help improve biosecurity...
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Katja Stoddart, Health and Welfare Projects Co-ordinator
I am passionate about the English pig industry, which some people find surprising given that I come from a non-farming background and a different country! (Katja hails originally from Holland:...
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AHDB in Brussels – latest on food waste by Kathy Roussel
What happens in Brussels can have a dramatic effect on producers and processors in the UK so AHDB Pork contributes to running an office there. The team and I spend our time keeping tabs on what’s...
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Nigel Penlington, Head of Knowledge Transfer, Research and Development
I’m on a steep learning curve right now having just taken over in my new role and the biggest challenge is getting my head round everything that is going on.I have been aware of much of what happens...
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