Yorkshire Vet Technician Receives Scholarship for Pig Production Study

A veterinary technician from East Yorkshire, Nicola Bowers, has been awarded a prestigious Nuffield Farming Scholarship to enhance best practices in pig production. Sponsored by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society (YAS), the scholarship will enable her to explore effective management of piglet litters within flexible farrowing systems, contributing to improved animal welfare.

This scholarship, established in 1980, allows recipients to study and travel internationally, engage with industry peers, and examine innovative agricultural developments. Allister Nixon, CEO of YAS, expressed pride in Bowers’ focus on the pig sector, which plays a vital role in Yorkshire’s farming landscape. He stated, “Pig production is a significant part of Yorkshire’s diverse farming industry, particularly in East Yorkshire, and so it is fantastic that Nicola has chosen the pig sector for the topic of her Nuffield study.”

Bowers, who works as a farrowing consultant and veterinary technician, brings extensive experience to her scholarship. She began her career at Garth Vets in Driffield and holds a Master’s degree in Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare. Her research into free farrowing at Newcastle University marked the beginning of her commitment to pig welfare.

In her own words, Bowers emphasized the resilience of the pig industry: “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.”

As part of her research, Bowers plans to visit farms and research facilities in countries such as Canada, Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, Italy, France, and Spain, where flexible and free farrowing systems are already in practice. She aims to travel to New Zealand, where the pig sector has set an ambitious goal to fully transition to flexible farrowing by 2025.

In addition to YAS, the scholarship is also supported by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. Bowers will publish her findings in 2027, aiming to provide valuable insights for UK farmers facing the transition to flexible systems.

The significance of Bowers’ scholarship will be showcased at the first-ever Yorkshire Farming Conference on January 28, 2024. This event, hosted at the Great Yorkshire Events Centre in Harrogate, will feature over 30 speakers, including Nuffield Farming Scholars. Attendees will have the opportunity to network, engage with industry leaders, and explore a trade exhibition with more than 60 businesses and organizations.

The Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust is dedicated to fostering positive change in agriculture by developing future leaders who can learn from international practices and share their knowledge upon returning home. For more information about the Yorkshire Farming Conference, interested parties can visit yorkshirefarmingconference.co.uk.