A multi-generational farming family from Aberdeenshire has been selected to join Quality Meat Scotland's pig monitoring initiative.
The Skinner family operates a 400-sow enterprise at Lazyfold near Insch. Danny and Alison Skinner manage the operation alongside Danny's parents, Dan and May, with their children Daniel and Kerry also contributing to the business.
The farming operation encompasses approximately 420 acres of land, with 300 acres owned outright and an additional 120 acres secured through seasonal rental agreements in the local area.
The property features light, well-draining soil suited to cereal production. The family grows spring barley and winter wheat primarily for pig feed. A recent 120-acre land acquisition this spring has been planted with 60 acres of oats, chosen specifically due to the soil's lower pH levels. All crop management is handled in-house by the Skinners, with combining work contracted to external operators.
Over the previous 18 months, the family has committed substantial capital to upgrading their pig facilities. The £300,000 investment, partially funded through a Scottish Rural Development Programme grant, encompassed new slurry management systems and a purpose-built weaner building where various feeding and watering technologies are being evaluated.
The farm originally functioned as a Pig Improvement Company multiplier operation, specializing in breeding gilt sales. However, following a viral pneumonia outbreak in 1984 that required complete depopulation, the business pivoted to commercial pig production.
Drawing on their background in breeding genetics, the Skinners maintain strong performance in animal health and reproductive metrics. Current production figures show an average litter size of 11.6 piglets, with 27.8 pigs weaned per sow annually. During their three-year participation in the monitor programme, the family plans to concentrate on improving growth rates and weight gain efficiency.
"I strongly believe in the benefits of performance benchmarking. Comparing your operation against others provides invaluable perspective. Participating as a monitor farm should elevate this to a completely new level," Danny explained.
"We view this as an excellent opportunity for transparent information exchange, and I'm optimistic other producers will gain value from it as well. My strengths lie more in practical farming than business management, so I'm particularly interested in receiving guidance on the commercial aspects of our operation," he added.
Danny emphasizes that skilled personnel are fundamental to successful pig production. The enterprise employs three full-time stockmen: Brian Maitland, David Alexander, and Ryan Daly.
Dan Skinner acquired the property in 1962 after training and working in the engineering sector. Five decades later, he remains enthusiastic about the monitor farm opportunity and has no second thoughts about dedicating his career to pig farming.
"This profession presents significant challenges, but even during periods of razor-thin margins when we're barely breaking even, there's nothing else I'd prefer to do. Working outdoors and witnessing healthy pigs flourish has always given me tremendous fulfillment," Dan remarked.
Allan Ward, Pig Development Manager at Quality Meat Scotland, commented: "We're extremely pleased to have the Skinner family participating as our new pig monitor farmers.
"Their genuine enthusiasm for the possibilities presented by the monitor farm programme and their openness to adopting innovative approaches to enhance their business is tremendously valued.
"We anticipate a productive collaboration with the Skinner family throughout the three-year programme duration and look forward to hosting producers at the inaugural meeting."
The first gathering at the new monitor farm is scheduled for later this month and is open to pig producers and their staff. Additional details can be obtained by contacting either of the two programme facilitators: Jamie Robertson at Aberdeen University j.robertson@abdn.ac.uk or Jim Booth at SAOS jim.booth@saos.co.uk