BPEX Knowledge Transfer manager, Colin Stone, said: "This has been some of the most rewarding work I have been involved with since joining BPEX two years ago. Within Stockman Development East I have witnessed team camaraderie, professionalism and an enthusiastic interest shown in making our industry a career choice that will hopefully secure everyone in the group with jobs of responsibility."

Well done to everyone on the programmes and a particular mention for two people who received who received the Trainee of the Year award for the course:

• Roxanne Rogers, Bacton Pigs – Stockman East
• Jarrod Benson, pig manager for James Sanderson – Stockman North

Expressing how enjoyable the experience was, Ms Rogers said: "We were not just taught the 'ideal' way to manage pigs. We worked as a team and had lots of discussions on the different ways of doing things on different farms. On our unit we have now changed the AI service routine and this not only saved time but has improved physical performance too."

The Stockman Development Programme is practical training-based around the Certificates of Competence Stage Two and also involved visits to local feed mills and abattoirs in both regions. It was developed for pig stockmen looking to develop their career and looking for possible promotion in the future.

For more information on pig industry training programmes, click here or contact Tess Howe (07779 321078; [email protected]).