Pig Farmer of the Year

We are pleased to announce that Guy King – GSK Pigs, BQP farmer, has been crowned Pig Farmer of the Year 2023 during the Farmers Weekly Awards last Thursday (05 October).

This year BQP represented two out of three finalists which also included William de Feyter. The Pig Farmer of the Year award is a tough category which requires pig producers to meet high standards. This includes high levels of output, top technical performance, commitment to staff management and a drive to improve production and welfare.

Fábio Brancher, Operations Director – Agriculture, was thrilled to hear the good news and said: “I was happy to see Guy bag this award. For many years Guy has been flying the flag high for the sector and for BQP. He works hard at maintaining his high standards and constantly champions the sector and the BQP model. I want to congratulate him and our other finalist William – as well as all the winners on the night. The event has a huge hit with everyone, and it was great meeting so many people within our sector – some for the first time.

When Guy King left school, he was earning £21/week on a youth training scheme while he learned the rudiments of pig husbandry. Starting from scratch meant he had no preconceptions, but plenty of drive and determination.

Guy cut his teeth on indoor and outdoor systems, then picked up valuable lessons about time and motion from working outside farming as a mechanic and a builder before setting up his own company, GSK Pigs, in 2005. He now has 8,600 sows across nine outdoor units in Norfolk and Suffolk and nearly 60 staff.

Today, GSK Pigs provides the land, staff, machinery and equipment, while BQP supplies pigs, feed and veterinary support for seven of the units. New BQP contracts reflect a focus on quality as well as quantity, says Guy, with payment a pig now based on weaner weights, rather than just numbers.

Charlie Dewhirst, senior policy adviser, National Pig Association, said: “Guy impressed us with his passion for developing his business and commitment to the environment. His unit was very well run by a team of dedicated staff who are achieving impressive health and welfare outcomes.”

Farmers Weekly’s farming awards celebrate the best of British agriculture by recognising hard-working and innovative farmers across the UK. You can read through all the winners and learn more here: https://www.fwi.co.uk/