Nancy Lidster

DNL Farms
Telephone: 306-276-5761
Email: dnlfarms@xplornet.com Website: www.pighandling.com

Background/Area of Expertise: Nancy Lidster was raised on a mixed hog and grain farm at Rosetown, Saskatchewan. She received her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from University of Saskatchewan in 1973, 1974-'78: Agriculture Extension in Alberta and Saskatchewan, 1978-'80: sales and service with Swine Improvement Services Co-op (SISCO), 1981-2001: primary producer - pork. Since 1996 she has been working with working with Bud Williams regarding his Low Stress Handling Methods for pigs and since 2001she has been involved in video production and staff training regarding Pig Handling

Area of Expertise: Pig Handling and Stockmanship

Bio: Nancy Lidster and her husband Don, are partners in DNL Farms Ltd. Variability in the ease of moving pigs was a cause for curiosity in their hog operation. In 1996, Nancy attended her first of several Bud Williams Stockmanship Schools. She followed up with Bud, reviewing video of people moving pigs and learning how to apply his handling methods on their farm. The results were dramatic. Pig moving tasks took less time and effort. Pigs responded more positively. People gained confidence and enjoyed their work more. In 2001, Nancy began sharing this information with others in the pork industry. She uses video of workers in various setting: to demonstrate basic handling principles: to show how successful handlers get positive results: to show how to avoid or correct common handling problems.

Presentation Specific to Which Livestock Industry: Pork

Presentation Title: "Animal Welfare, Pig Handling, and The Emperor's New Clothes"
Presentation Summary: The false beliefs about pig behaviour that created problems for Lidsters in the 1980's are still causing pig handling problems for pork industry workers today. Ineffective handling methods require more time and often extra people whose efforts could be invested more profitably in other tasks. They create unnecessary stress for both livestock and handlers. There are many gifted handlers whose examples can be used to teach and empower others. Equipping workers with reliable pig handling information is a necessary first step in addressing the welfare needs of both species involved in the pork industry - the people and the pigs.

Speaker Cost: $2,500.00 plus expenses

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