From PhD research to a lifetime advising pig producers, DAERA Pig Adviser Dr Mark Hawe reflects on the influence of ARINI Hillsborough (now AFBI), and how science‑based thinking continues to guide practical, farm‑level advice.
What years were you based at Hillsborough?
I commenced my studies at Hillsborough in September 1987 and submitted my thesis in October 1990.
What were the main areas you worked on during your time at Hillsborough?
My research looked at the production of a compound called skatole in the large intestine of growing and finishing pigs. This compound can potentially produce ‘off‑odours’ when pig meat is being cooked. My research examined how the production and absorption of skatole could be influenced by management factors, including diet, gender and environment. It also determined the sensitivity of consumers to skatole in pig meat products during both cooking and consumption.
Where has your career taken you since leaving Hillsborough?
I submitted my thesis for assessment on a Thursday afternoon and started my career in the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland the following Monday morning. Initially, I took up the position of Lecturer in pig production at Loughry College and soon gained responsibility for managing the Loughry pig unit, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
After 18 months in this role, I was transferred to the position of pig adviser / pig technologist, overseeing pig production in counties Tyrone and Fermanagh. I relished this opportunity and have been very fortunate to retain this geographical advisory area for over 33 years. This has allowed me to gain the trust, and hopefully the respect, of my clients, many of whom I can now call my friends.
The ability to give good, sound practical advice, helping pig farmers to make informed business decisions that improve the performance and sustainability of their units, has always been my motivation. With continued involvement in pig production comes experience, and this has led to my role within DAERA involving increased input into areas of policy, welfare and disease control. Although these areas are interesting and often challenging, it is working directly with producers at farm level that still gives me the greatest buzz.
What skills, knowledge, or experience gained at Hillsborough proved most valuable in your work advising the pig sector?
My supervisor at Hillsborough, the late Dr Norman Walker, instilled in me some very useful career skills from the outset. These included the importance of meticulous planning, while also being flexible when unforeseen challenges arise. Professor Fred Gordon managed to convince me that a ‘negative result’ can be just as valuable as a positive result, and that if you conduct good, sound research, you should not be afraid to ‘dig in’ and defend your results when questioned. Most of all, my time at Hillsborough instilled the concept that research – and advisory work alike – should be farmer‑centric, supporting farmers across all sectors of our exceptional agricultural industry.
Your role involves translating research into on‑farm advice. How has your research background helped you to bridge the gap between science and day‑to‑day pig production?
Research studies, although comprehensive and relevant, can often be challenging to interpret and, as a result, it can be difficult to identify their relevance to practical production. Having been fortunate to be involved in developing and conducting production research, I appreciate the difficulties in directly applying research to cover every situation encountered on farm. Often, results can be taken as a ‘principle’ and then applied to the specific problem or issue on the farm.
I have been fortunate to work closely with the pig researchers at Hillsborough over the years and have been able to discuss issues observed on farms with them. On occasions, this has led to research being initiated to confirm or alleviate what is being seen at farm level. Indeed, good communication between those involved in production and the scientists at Hillsborough has ensured that the research has remained relevant and practical.
As AFBI marks 100 years of agricultural research at Hillsborough, what part of its legacy stands out most to you, and how do you feel personally about being part of that history?
Hillsborough has generated much valuable, insightful and practical pig research over the past century, which has been applied at farm level to the benefit of the sector. Pig studies have always been conducted in an unbiased and objective way, with results published even when they have not yielded the most popular outcomes. This professional focus has ensured that the high standards achieved in the early days of research at Hillsborough are being maintained a century later.
I am indebted to Hillsborough research on two fronts. Firstly, my time at ARINI Hillsborough (now AFBI) provided me with a strong foundation in my role as an adviser, supporting pig farmers across all aspects of production. Secondly, I feel privileged that my son Samuel also conducted pig production research at Hillsborough and was awarded his Doctorate, some years after I received mine.