Advanced breeding sow management

Our Stockperson Plus training programme consists of problem-solving workshops designed to build on existing pig husbandry knowledge. The course naturally follows on from the Stockperson Development Scheme (SDS) to further develop the technical skills of pig unit staff.

The training is suitable for stockpeople who:

• Have significant previous experience, or
• Have completed the Stockperson Development Scheme, or
• Want to progress to become a supervisor or manager

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

• Understand the heat cycle and use heat mapping to influence the timing of service and maintain the target number of servings for each batch
• Understand the impact of post-farrowing nutrition and how it affects follicle quality and survival rates
• Correctly identify regular from irregular returns, expected ratios as well as contributing factors and mitigation strategies
• Understand empty days and how these affect economics, breeding herd productivity and efficiency
• Identify the reasons for skipping a heat and the benefits this can have on sow productivity
• Plan cull strategies based on parity profile and batch performance, and forecast gilt replacements effectively
• Understand and explain the advantages and disadvantages of different batch systems
• Scan confidently and recognise the impact on herd efficiency and service group forecasting

Booking details

Cost: £40+VAT

To register, please complete and return this application form

A maximum of four people per business can attend the training. If you would like to book more places than this, or have any other queries, please get in touch.

E: pork.training@ahdb.org.uk 

T: 01904 771218

The training will be delivered online via Microsoft Teams. This reduces the time participants need to take out of the business, reduces any biosecurity risk and provides an opportunity for more people to take part in the training.

Find out more about the Stockperson Plus training.