Gregor Bruce
I’m a fourth generation arable and pig farmer from the North East of Scotland. While my career plan has never deviated from becoming a farmer, I initially chose to study Physics at University and worked as a Data Engineer for four years in Edinburgh. I am determined to build a sustainable and resilient business able to weather the challenges facing our industry whilst improving productivity.
The last few decades have seen dramatic increases in agricultural output. However, I believe without considering where we were, where we are and where we would like to be we could find ourselves down a path with many unintended consequences.
I’m incredibly grateful to the John Oldacre Foundation for my sponsorship and equally grateful to those at Nuffield who have worked so hard to make this possible.
The last generation of Pig Farmers boosted Sow Productivity 50%. Can we do the same? And should we?
John Oldacre Foundation
Study Overview
A generation ago a Pig Farmer was delighted if he had 11 piglets born alive, weaned 10 of them and had an average of 23 piglets weaned per sow per year. Today: litters of 20 are more common than 11 and sows are routinely weaning 30 piglets a year. Is it possible for the next generation of pig farmers to emulate these increases in productivity? It would seem impossible, but I’m sure that’s what the farmers before us would’ve claimed when presented with today's figures.
If these leaps in productivity are possible should we strive to achieve them? Or would our time and money be better spent seeking bigger and stronger piglets in litter sizes more akin to the number that can be weaned?
Working in agriculture gives a great appreciation for trade-offs; rarely is there a silver bullet solution. By studying all aspects of this topic including: animal welfare, sustainability, public perception and workforce morale, I hope to provide some much needed clarity