BQP Farmers sweep seven gongs at NPA’s

BQP farming partners clinched six prizes, which included the prestigious best outdoor and best overall producer awards – both of which went to LSB – in this year’s NPA’s (National Pig Awards). Meaning the business bagged six out of the 10 categories we entered and six out of the 15 awards up for grabs. The NPA also presented Andrew Saunders with an individual award for his outstanding contribution to the sector.

The awards have become established as the premier event in the pig industry calendar. They recognise and reward excellence, foster innovation and inspire creativity and information sharing.

Howard Revell, Pig Production Director, was delighted with the news and said: “We are proud of all the winners and what they have achieved. For LSB to bag best outdoor and best overall producer is a huge achievement, but I want to congratulate all our winners for helping further show the industry why we are recognised amongst the best.”

LSB Pigs, a 1600-sow outdoor unit, based in Norfolk, is run by Rob McGregor and owner Robert Battersby, was also named best Outdoor Producer of the Year at the event. LSB Pigs fought stiff competition from the likes of Bradshaw Farms, from Yorkshire, to be crowned the winners.

The BQP farming partner winners included:

Outdoor producer- LSB pigs
Overall producer- LSB Pigs
Herd Productivity- R&C Mellor
Trainee of the year- Chloe Mellor
Unit Manager- Rob McGregor- LSB pigs
Innovation- Harry Wiseman

Howard added: “Our vision to be the best in our industry is a core principle and something we are continuously aiming for. To have our farming partners hard worked recognised is amazing and we hope to get even more recognition next year. I want to personally say well done and congratulations to all the winners and finalists.”

The NPA’s are exclusive to the British pig industry. The event has gone from strength to strength over the years and previous winners have set incredibly high standards for the rest of the industry to follow.

The event ended on a special note for the BQP team as Andrew Saunders was recognised for his four decades of service with an outstanding contribution honour.

Andrew Saunders, Pilgrim’s UK Agriculture Director, commented: “This was a surprise but one which I am very grateful for. Over the last 40 years I have seen lots of changes and weathered many storms supported by a great people both within the business and across the wider pig industry. However, as an industry we have always overcome challenges and achieved bigger and better feats. I want to thank the NPA for this award, but I want to especially thank the BQP and Pilgrim’s UK team for all their support over the many years. The award given to me is recognition of what we have achieved as a collective group. As I step away, I wish the sector and the business the very best for the future.”

BQP breed and rear over 1 million pigs a year using industry-leading production systems, including outdoor born, straw-finished, RSPCA Freedom Food Assured, free range and organic. With around 30% of the UK market share, this makes us the UK’s largest pig farming business. BQP has supplied high welfare British pork to the major retailers in the UK for 40 years, since 1979.

To learn more about the winners and the awards, visit their website.

If you are interested in working with BQP, please contact Mark Jagger on: Mark.Jagger@pilgrimsuk.com