As part of the Fawley Farms Mangers of Excellence Scheme, Justin Willoughby and Richard Howes went on an exchange visit to Mr Forbes' unit at Slainspark, Aberdeen. The managers spent two days working along side John, the unit manager, on this 1600-sow unit.
The unit is split into three sub-units: gilts,
parities two to three and parity four and above. It is
located right on the cliffs and conditions are tough for the seven members
of staff during the Scottish winters.
The managers spent time in farrowing and serving and, at first, thought
managing 1600 sows on one site would be a complex task. But the sub-herds
simplified it, with each sub-unit providing piglets into the 6000-place nursery
on the same weaning day.
Management could also be specialised depending on the sub-herd. One team only
deals with gilts and their challenges, another team deals with
parities two and three and any with second litter drop syndrome,
and the team with parities four and above deals with peak production
and the older sows.
Staff had made use of the barrels available locally for sow water and feed
troughs in the individual farrowing system. The individual feed troughs allowed
the unit to feed a 'higher poke' ration within a creep size pellet
with very little waste to birds or vermin. This meant the sows were in excellent
condition, which was essential for this site.
The manager from Slainspark hopes to come down to visit the Fawley managers
in return soon.