The pork industry has changed dramatically since my first memories of it back in the 1950’s. I continually run into producers and other front line people who are finding better ways to raise pigs and look after their animals. The benefits of their ideas ripple out through the pork industry but in many cases the contributions of those first innovators are forgotten or go unnoticed.
Do you know someone whose ideas and innovations have had a positive impact on pork production? This is an opportunity to have them recognized.
Dr. Frank Aherne was a feisty little Irishman; a driving force in the pork industry and behind the Banff Pork Seminar, prior to his death in 2005.
The Dr. F. X. Aherne Prize for Innovative Pork Production was set up to recognize any innovation that is “an original solution developed to answer pork production challenges or a creative use of a known technology”.
All innovations entered must be in use on a farm in Canada, United States or Mexico at the time of the application.
Entrants can be owners, production managers, herdspeople or consultants in the North American pork industry. Research or publicly-funded institutes are not eligible although commercial research may be used to support the on-farm innovation.
This prize is of special interest to us because we knew Frank personally and delighted in his knowledge and his quick wit and humour. DNL Farms Ltd. also had the honour of receiving the F.X. Aherne Prize in 2005 for a pork industry training video series “Staff training for pig skills” that Don Lidster produced.
Prizes Include: A maximum of three prizes will be awarded, each worth $1800.00. Each prize covers registration to the 2011 Banff Pork Seminar, January 18-21, and accommodation for the innovator and a guest (with conditions); up to $800.00 reimbursement for travel expenses; and recognition by peers and the pork industry at the Banff Pork Seminar.
More Information: http://www.banffpork.ca/prize gives details, rules and application information as well as details about the 2011 Banff Pork Seminar program.
The deadline for entries for the 2011 Dr. F.X. Aherne Prize for Innovative Pork Production is October 30, 2010.
Summary: Look around at your industry contacts and colleagues. Who would you like to recognize for their innovations and contributions? Who would you like to send to Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies in the middle of January? Here’s your chance.
That’s it for this week
Take care
Nancy Lidster
Blog archives can be found at www.lowstresspighandling.com .