Vet Technician Nicola Bowers Receives Nuffield Scholarship for Pig Production

A veterinary technician from East Yorkshire, Nicola Bowers, has been awarded the prestigious Nuffield Farming Scholarship, sponsored by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society (YAS). This scholarship will allow her to study best practices in pig production, focusing specifically on managing piglet litters within flexible farrowing systems to enhance animal welfare.

The Nuffield Farming Scholarships have been supported by the YAS since 1980, aiming to provide individuals in the agricultural sector with opportunities for international study and professional development. This program enables scholars to travel abroad, meet fellow agricultural enthusiasts, and explore innovative developments in farming.

Exploring Global Practices

As part of her scholarship, Bowers plans to visit commercial farms and research facilities in several countries, including Canada, Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, Italy, France, and Spain. She also aims to travel to New Zealand, where the pig sector has set a target to fully transition to flexible farrowing by 2025.

Currently working as a veterinary technician specializing in pigs, Bowers has gained experience as a farrowing consultant. Her journey in this sector began with her role at Garth Vets in Driffield. She holds a Master’s degree in Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare and completed research on free farrowing at Newcastle University early in her career.

Bowers expressed her commitment to the pig industry, stating, “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.”

She emphasized the ongoing shift towards flexible farrowing systems in the UK pig industry, noting the lack of established transition periods or formal guidelines. Bowers aims to learn from international experiences to ensure UK farmers can successfully implement these systems from the outset.

Impact on the Agricultural Community

Bowers’ Nuffield Scholarship is also supported by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. Her findings from this research will be published in 2027, contributing valuable insights to the field.

As part of her scholarship, Bowers will join a lineup of speakers at the inaugural Yorkshire Farming Conference, scheduled for January 28, 2024, at the Great Yorkshire Events Centre in Harrogate. The conference aims to bring together individuals in agriculture, offering networking opportunities and insights from over 30 industry speakers, including prominent figures in farming and mental health.

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