Held at Nottingham University's Sutton Bonnington Campus the event always attracts key opinion leaders from throughout the pork value chain – this year's event is no exception.

Tim Rymer, JSR's Chairman says: "Having Sir John Beddington present his views on the future of the pig industry, and take questions, is a real honour for JSR. His opinion on the importance of genetic development, sustainable intensification and environmental responsibility are pertinent to the future of all livestock producers. They certainly resonate with JSR and will provide an excellent focus for the conference."

above: Sir John Beddington
below:Dr Grant Walling

Sir John Beddington recently commissioned the Foresight Report, the most comprehensive review to date of food security, the findings of which warn that population growth and climate change will endanger food supplies in the future. At the conference, he will present his paper 'The future of food and farming: challenges and opportunities'."

Dr Grant Walling, Managing Director of JSR, will present his thoughts on the need for radical changes in his address 'Revolutionising Global Pork Production'.

Dr Walling said: "As Sir John Beddington has identified to feed a growing population we need to work together to implement major changes. We are at a point where significant new technologies, with the potential to deliver the increased output we need to see in the pig industry, are not being used. We need to carefully scrutinise these technologies – whether they be breakthroughs in reproductive technology, cloning or GM - to make the next Herculean step forward, enabling food supply to keep pace with population growth."

Other presentations include two from representatives from the pig supply industry, who are also facing challenges of keeping pace with rapidly changing industry demands.

Magnus Westerkamp, Managing Director of German company, Big Dutchman Pig Equipment, will explain 'How consumer demand affects the development of pig equipment' whilst Mick Hazzledine, pignutritionist at Premier Nutrition will identify the major challenges in feeding pigs in a changing market place.

Giving the producer's view is Rob Mercer who, as owner, gives 'the story so far' of Packington Pork, a 3,000-sow pig business that combines indoor, outdoor and free-range pigs, from breeding to finishing and distributing meat to 120 butcher shops around England.

Dr Walling added: "Coming together at the JSR Conference creates the opportunity to look back as well as forward. Substantial worldwide growth has seen an increasing focus for JSR on the South American market and large-scale projects in Russia and Eastern Europe as well as China and South East Asia. Our successes in Asia have been a particular highlight: notably the sale of nearly 800 animals to the Guangzhou Animal Husbandry Company of Bejing, signed during the UK and China Business Summit; a contract to establish a 900-sow Nucleus herd in Hubei province and a £1-million contract with the China Animal Husbandry Group. Looking to the future, we are in advanced trials with an exciting new sire line which is showing very promising results with the potential to be launched in 2012."

Mr Rymer commented: "It has been an outstanding year and this promises to be a conference to match. We have exceptional speakers, an interesting key topic and many representatives from throughout the pork supply chain. I look forward to welcoming visitors to what will undoubtedly be one of our most stimulating conferences yet."

This PIPR registered event carries 8 CPD points. For all enquiries, call Natalie Cliff on 01377 227799.