Rattlerow Farms’ 70th anniversary as one of the UK’s leading pig breeding and genetics companies was commemorated with a gathering of more than 200 staff members, partners, family and friends in Suffolk in September.
Guests enjoyed a vibrant evening of celebration at Sancroft Barns, in Fressingfield, with a drinks reception, food and lively entertainment.
See also: Feed Your Family for Less with British Pork campaign returns
Rattlerow’s formal inception was in 1954, but it can trace its roots to 1943, when Philip Lawson, a young classics scholar from Oxford University, was stationed on a farm in Kenya while undergoing RAF flight training during World War II.
It was there that he developed a passion for farming, which would later shape the future of Rattlerow.
In 1950, he acquired a run-down farm in Stradbroke, Suffolk, initially focusing on dairy cows and turkeys, but soon shifting to pig breeding.
His first pigs were sourced from Gaymer Cider Company, marking the beginning of a pioneering enterprise in pig genetics.
Today, Rattlerow Farms stands as one of the largest independent, family-owned pig breeding operations in the UK. It has expanded into Europe, China and beyond and is renowned worldwide for its expertise in genetics.
While pig breeding remains at the heart of Rattlerow’s operations, it also now encompasses arable farming, property development, feed milling, transport and, most recently, renewable energy.
Despite its growth, Rattlerow has maintained its identity as a family business. This was evident at the 70th anniversary celebrations, where the warmth and camaraderie of the evening underscored the deep respect and admiration for the business and its enduring family values.