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Farmers can ’ t afford to stand still , says David Black winner
Succession planning , highly-skilled staff , new technology and improved genetics will help keep the British pig industry in good shape says the winner of this year ’ s David Black Award .
Charlie Allen - winner david black 2017
T he award is presented to someone who has made a valuable and sustained contribution to the British pig industry and this year goes to Charles ‘ Charlie ’ Allen , of Oxfordshire-based DC & RJ Allen & Partners .
Charlie received his award today at an industry breakfast , attended by politicians , members of the House of Lords and industry leaders . It was presented by Neil Parish MP , Chairman of the EFRA Select Committee .
Charlie said : “ I ’ ve been in the industry all my life , growing up looking after pigs and I ’ ve been at it ever since . I ’ m just an ordinary pig farmer , it ’ s as simple as that , so to receive the award was a surprise and I never thought for a minute I would get it .”
Charlie started farming in 1971 with his father , uncle , brother and cousin , with responsibility for 300 sows and has never looked back . Today , the business has more than 5,000 sows at units in Oxfordshire and Dorset which Charlie still runs with his brother but now also his son and two nephews .
He was a founder member of the NPA Producer Group and is
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chairman of Thames Valley Cambac which has grown to be the largest pig marketing operation in the UK .
Charlie added : “ We ’ re a large family business . My father and uncle started off with 250 acres and today we farm in the region of 7,000 acres . The business has been successful over the years , through hard work and a bit of luck . The key to that success is , however , teamwork and the strength of our team here has stood us in good stead over the years .
“ Generally we ’ ve always been very proactive farmers , working with processors , understanding customers and supplying what they want . I ’ ve always realised you can ’ t stand still though . We ’ ve upgraded buildings and utilised the latest technology to ensure we ’ re in a position where we ’ re operating as up to date as we can be . There have also been tremendous advances in pig genetics and pig health .
“ The industry has totally changed . The biggest change was brought about by the sow stall ban where we lost virtually half of our industry . We need to make sure we don ’ t lose the other half as we go through Brexit and look to open
new markets .
“ While the industry is becoming more specialised we should ensure we put ourselves in the strongest position possible to
compete in the global market . Going forwards , the important point is that whatever we do , we need to do it well .”
06 | Farming Monthly | November 2017 www . farmingmonthly . co . uk