Pig breeding unit manager Louise Dorward has won a student of the year award on completing the first BPEX Stockman Plus course in the North.
All seven trainees showed real passion for their work and the pig industry as they presented a ‘tour’ of their units before a celebratory barbeque.
It was Louise’s enthusiasm and lively contribution to discussions throughout the course that helped her achieve special recognition, said BPEX knowledge transfer manager Stephen Winfield.
Back on Steve Tuer’s 400-sow unit in North Yorkshire, where she works, improvements Louise has made include providing more water for lactating sows to help improve feed intake.
Stockman Plus is a new ‘virtual pig farming’ course, designed to build on the skills and knowledge gained through previous practical experience and/or the BPEX Stockman Development course. It focuses on problem-solving exercises applied to typical pig husbandry and management situations they might encounter in their day-to-day roles.
The Stockman Plus North trainees in 2013 were: Thomas Bradshaw, Louise Dorward, Paul Leetham, Tom Lister, Mark Powell, Mark White and Jason Winter.
For information on future courses course Contact Samantha Bowsher at: samantha.bowsher@bpex.ahdb.org.uk