JSR’s Technical Conference attracts pig industry leaders

The annual conference continues to attract key pig industry figures and is considered to be one of the more significant technical events in the pig industry calendar. This year’s event sees the conference come of age by celebrating its 21stanniversary.

 

Tim Rymer, JSR’s Chairman says, “Twenty-one years is an excellent landmark and we are proud to host the Technical Conference, which is always thought provoking, not afraid to ask serious questions about the industry and looks to scientific solutions for the challenges ahead. With this in mind, we have chosen a theme of great importance, and as ever, I will be welcoming speakers of real substance.”

 

The opening address will be by Frederic Grimaud, President of Groupe Grimaud, the second largest multi-species breeding company in the world, who will present ‘Benefits from Breeding in the Next Decade’.

 

Dr Grant Walling, Director of Research and Genetics at JSR, will further the debate by presenting his research ‘The Science of Feeding the World’ in which he attempts to identify the technology required to meet the world’s increasing demand for food. “It is finally being more widely accepted that, in order to feed a rapidly growing global population that is predicted to reach 9 billion people by the year 2050, science, new technology and genetics will play a crucial role.

 

“Improving efficiency of resources, having bigger herds or increasing the amount of land used for livestock farming alone is not enough. We must continue to make further strides in genetic advancement and highlight the importance of transparency with consumers in this issue, who must be presented with the facts and allowed to make informed decisions about what they eat,” says Dr Walling.

 

The third presentation of the day will be from Gareth Edward Jones, Professor of Agriculture at Bangor University, with whom JSR have worked in partnership to evaluate and reduce the carbon impact of various aspects of their livestock business. Professor Jones will address the topic of carbon emissions in agriculture, whether it is environmentally sustainable to continue with current forms of animal production and the need to quantify the value modern genetics brings to the planet in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

 

The final two presentations of the day will see successful producers from either end of the production spectrum talking about their businesses, including their contrasting approaches to marketing. Steve Murrells, CEO of Tulip Limited, will report from the perspective of a large multinational business, whilst Alistair Butler, of Blythburgh Free Range Pork, a smaller family owned brand, will recount how localised, personal marketing has proved successful.

 

“2010 has been a significant year for JSR” concludes Mr Rymer. “The Pig and Poultry Fair was a great success and the ideal platform to emphasise the value of lifetime sow performance from the JSR Genepacker 90.  We have recently opened a new 8500 place weaning to finishing facility in East Yorkshire which highlights the importance of feed efficiency and optimising genetic potential, and in the global market we have made considerable inroads into Asia by agreeing new partnerships in Taiwan and Malaysia as well as agreeing to set up a 900 sow joint nucleus farm in China.

 

“The 21^st JSR Technical Conference is another major stepping stone for the JSR business and I look forward to welcoming visitors and fellow professionals from throughout the pork supply chain to join us for what I’m sure will be a stimulating event.”