Taking over as stud manager is Mark Carline who, for the last five years, has run the company’s in-house stud supplying its own breeding pyramid — where he has been achieving conception rates of over 90 per cent.

He will be assisted by laboratory technicians Carmen Martinez, who has experience in a wide range of procedures — including microbiology, immunology and serology — and Laura Russell who, in addition to practical on-farm skills, has previously worked in an AI centre.

The full range of ACMC’s specialist sire-line boars stand at the 80-boar Vantage stud, from where semen is despatched both nationally and internationally.

In addition to meeting the standards set by BPEX (British Pig Executive) the stud is subject to an independent audit which involves quarterly visits from the Garth Veterinary Group and Salus QP Ltd, to ensure the very highest standards are maintained.