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F A R M S K I L L S
Training structures are also in place in the
pig industry, with any training farmers take
recorded through the voluntary PIPR (Pig
Industry Professional Register) points system.
This aims to recognise experience and
practical skills in addition to formal training,
establish an independent record of skill
amongst its members and raise productivity
and profitability in the pig sector.
Bishopton Veterinary Group in Ripon and
Larkmead Vets in Oxford deliver PIPR
registered training for FarmSkills and BPEX
in Yorkshire and the Midlands. The new
LANTRA Awards approval for these
workshops received in May 2011 will also
enable farmers in Scotland, Wales and
Northern Ireland to receive training at
subsidised rates.
Steven Blaken from Bishop Monkton near
Harrogate recently went through a series of
FarmSkills Pigs workshops with Bishopton Vets.
Following a team meeting off site, where
fertility was identified as a key area to work
on for the farm, the pig team followed a
FarmSkills workshop, which concentrated on
AI techniques and heat detection. The team
saw a big improvement in their skills and they
went on to win the Janssen Animal Health
Batch Farrower of the Year in 2010, where
the winners are judged on productivity and
pig health.
Steven commented: ‘Even our stockman who
has 20 years of bad habits behind him
changed his techniques: I’m not sure how
the vets managed to change his ways without
upsetting him - but they did, and now he really
believes in the new way of working.’
SUMMER 2011 ISSUE
LIVESTOCK MATTERS
14
The Blaken’s who recently attended a FarmSkills
Pig Workshop at Bishopton Veterinary Practice.
Find out
more...
So whether accredited through
industry, or followed through
the FarmSkills programmes of
learning in the dairy, beef and
sheep sectors, FarmSkills
training is practical, hands
on and delivers a business
benefit to each farmer who
attends. For more information
about training available in your
area, why not log on to our
FarmSkills website;
www.farm-skills.co.uk
or call us on
01765 645893
FarmSkills, Mill Farm, Studley
Road, Ripon HG4 2QR