Manor Farm, Sherrifhales, Shropshire

The construction of a new pig unit has enabled Anthony Robinson to build on the early success of his new pig finishing business.

Anthony is pig production manager at Manor Farm in Sherrifhales, Shropshire, where he manages 280 acres of combinable crops as well as nearly 2,000 head of pigs. Pigs are contract reared for Stockcroft Limited in two straw based units, arriving on site as 7kg weaners and taken through to a finish weight of 110kg. The system operates under RSPCA and Red Tractor assurance schemes, as well as being Co-op and Waitrose assured.

The pig enterprise at Manor Farm is relatively young, having been established when Anthony converted an existing shed containing 14 stables for pig housing. The strong production figures that Anthony achieved in the first two years with this 1,000 birth unit resulted in him coming runner up in the National Pig Association Young Pig Farmer of the Year Award and prompted him to investigate the possibility of establishing a second unit.

Anthony started to carry out research on a new shed; building on the experience he had gained from the previous building conversion.

He visited a number of other pig sites before drawing up building plans and entering planning applications for a new build pig unit. Construction started and the first batch of pigs arrived successfully.

The new shed houses 930 pigs and employs a lot of modern technology to ensure optimum animal welfare and growth rates. This included the installation of automatic variable ventilation systems on the side of the building (linked to a computerised weather centre), automated feeders and metered water system.

Profile 6 roofing sheets were used on the build and Anthony chose fibre cement roofing sheets to help with insulation and reduce the high levels of condensation that are often experienced with metal roofing materials.

Anthony had done a lot of research on ventilation and one of his key aims with the  new build was to ensure a good flow of fresh air through the housing, to ensure optimum pig performance, and help reduce the build up of dust and air borne bacteria.

As such, a raised, protected open ridge has been installed on the build to help draw in fresh air from the sides of the shed, forcing stale air up and out through the top of the building.

Anthony is very pleased with the performance of the new pig housing and is considering expanding his pig enterprise over the next few years by establishing more pig units, with a similar building design.