2025 National Pig Awards are open for entries

The 2025 National Pig Awards are open for entries, giving individuals and businesses across the pig sector the opportunity to earn recognition for the fantastic work they do.

The awards are entering their 12th year, with the winners once again to be unveiled at a gala awards ceremony in London, in November.

The award categories will have a largely familiar look, covering the leading indoor and outdoor pig businesses and those excelling in production and finishing. There will be individual awards recognising the best stockpeople, unit managers, young pig farmers and trainees.

Those excelling in sustainability, marketing, innovation and pedigree breeding will also be recognised, as will the all-important allied sector in the only category voted for by the pig industry public.

The big change this year is that the Pig Vet of the Year category will be open to all vets across the sector, recognising the fantastic work they do in maintaining and improving the health and wellbeing of our national pig sector. So, if you know a vet who deserves recognition, go ahead and nominate, or at least encourage them to enter.

The Overall Pig Producer of the Year is again sponsored by principal sponsor ForFarmers, and will be split into Indoor and Outdoor categories.

This event is always a great launch pad for our future stars, and the 2024 event saw another hugely impressive batch of young winners, two of which, Crockway’s Clementine Milton and BQP’s Toni Bagguley, will be appearing on the Pigs Tomorrow Young Guns panel in May.

All finalists will be invited to the awards night, which will bring the industry together for its biggest night of the year, featuring a champagne reception and gala dinner, with a special guest presenter.

As well as 15 National Pig Awards, the event will also see the AHDB David Black Award and the NPA Chris Brant Award winners announced.

Stewart Houston will return as chairman of our expert panel of respected industry judges for what will be his 11th year. “I would urge anyone who thinks they or their business has something to shout about to enter this year. It’s your chance to shine. Entering these awards really can give your team the boost it deserves.”

We look forward to seeing you in November to celebrate the best of the British pig industry.

---

Entry deadline – Friday, June 27, 2025

Tickets:
Individual – £225 +VAT      Table for 10 – £2,025 +VAT      Gold table for 10 – 2,500 +VAT

For general enquiries or to book your place, please contact Robyn Smitherman robyn.smitherman@markallengroup.com or for sponsorship details Martin Goult martin.goult@markallengroup.com

More information available on the National Pig Awards website.

Awards criteria

Here is a summary of what the judges are looking for:

Indoor Producer of the Year/Outdoor Producer of the Year/Overall Producer of the Year

Entrants need to provide evidence, where appropriate, of key production figures, a focus on welfare and sustainability, herd health planning, biosecurity protocols, any new initiatives, staff motivation and training, and contributions to the wider industry.

Finisher of the Year

This award is based on key performance data, including growth rates and feed conversion ratios. The judges will also consider the proportion of pigs sent that are within the weight range and grading, and welfare and other general information will be taken into account.

Unit Manager of the Year

Entrants can be nominated by the business owner or themselves. If the latter, a reference from the owner is required. Judges will be looking for evidence of how the manager has driven the business forward and excellence in motivating staff, hitting targets and record-keeping.

Innovation of the Year

For farmers or farm businesses, not suppliers. You must demonstrate any initiative, new idea or business development concept that has come to fruition in the past 12 months and is demonstrably new in your business.

Farm Vet of the Year

In a change to previous years, this award is now open to all individual vets, recognising the huge contribution they make to the health of the entire pig sector. Judges will be looking for examples of proactive herd health management, evidence of addressing on-farm disease challenges and a strong focus on pig welfare.

Marketing Initiative of the Year

The judges will look at how producers have successfully marketed their products, including creating a brand, and developed new markets domestically or overseas.

Herd Productivity Award

This is a data-based category given to a business that can demonstrate improvement in herd productivity, while also delivering on other important objectives, such as weaning weight, herd health and welfare, and feed usage.

Trainee of the Year

Open to pig unit staff who can show how training is helping their career and livestock performance on their unit. This award can be supported by unit performance data.

Young Pig Farmer of the Year

Entrants must be aged 35 or younger on December 31, 2025. Your entry must include details of involvement in the business, new initiatives and a commitment to the wider industry.

Stockperson of the Year

Entrants can be nominated by the employing farmer or themselves. Judges are looking for evidence of excellence in pig husbandry, commitment to the job, an innovation or concept that the stockperson has been responsible for and, generally, ‘going the extra mile’.

Pedigree Breeder of the Year

Open to breeders of pedigree pigs, this award is managed and judged by the British Pig Association. More information will be available soon at britishpigs.org.uk/news

Sustainable Farming Award

This award will recognise a pig farming business that has examined its own carbon footprint and made measurable improvements to its environmental sustainability. Evidence must be provided about the steps taken and the resulting impact on environmental sustainability.

Entries can be submitted at on the National Pig Awards website, where you can find the full criteria.