Nicola Bowers, a veterinary technician from East Yorkshire, has been awarded a prestigious Nuffield Farming Scholarship to explore best practices in pig production. Her research will focus on managing piglet litters within flexible farrowing systems, aiming to enhance animal welfare. Sponsored by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society (YAS), Bowers intends to travel internationally, potentially as far as New Zealand, to visit commercial farms and research facilities.
The Nuffield Farming Scholarships, supported by the YAS since 1980, aim to provide individuals in agriculture opportunities to study abroad, engage with industry peers, and explore groundbreaking developments. Allister Nixon, CEO of YAS, expressed pride in Bowers’ choice of topic, highlighting the significance of pig production in Yorkshire’s agricultural landscape.
Focus on Flexible Farrowing Systems
Bowers, who specializes in pig veterinary care and farrowing consultancy, began her career working with Garth Vets in Driffield. She holds a Master’s degree in Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare and has previously conducted research into free farrowing with Newcastle University. In her words, “The pig industry has weathered countless challenges, yet it continues to adapt and evolve. Through my Nuffield Scholarship, I hope to contribute to that evolution, helping ease the transition into the future and ensuring the resilience and sustainability of the sector I’ve come to love.”
She noted the shift in the UK pig industry toward flexible farrowing systems, which currently lacks a formal guidance framework. Bowers aims to gather insights from successful implementations in countries such as Canada, Sweden, Denmark, and Italy. Her exploration will also include New Zealand, where the pig industry has set a target to fully transition to flexible farrowing by 2025.
Upcoming Events and Future Contributions
As part of her scholarship, Bowers’ findings will be published in 2027, contributing to the ongoing dialogue about best practices in pig farming. She will also be among the speakers at the inaugural Yorkshire Farming Conference on January 28, 2024, which will provide a platform for networking and knowledge-sharing among industry professionals. The conference is set to feature over 30 speakers and a trade show with more than 60 exhibitors at the Great Yorkshire Events Centre in Harrogate.
The Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust is a charitable organization dedicated to fostering positive change in agriculture by developing future leaders. The initiative sends scholars overseas to learn from global practices and encourages them to share their insights upon returning home.
For more information about the Yorkshire Farming Conference, visit yorkshirefarmingconference.co.uk.
