24 May 2024

Comprehensive research programme showcased at Teagasc Pig Open Day

The Teagasc Pig Development Department held its Pig Open Day this week in two locations, Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research & Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork on Wednesday, May 22, and today, May 24, in Ballyhaise Agricultural College, Co. Cavan.

Delegates were welcomed to the event in Cork by the Director of Teagasc, Professor Frank O’Mara. The opening session also included an overview of future research by the Head of the Teagasc Pig Development Department, Dr. Edgar Garcia Manzanilla.

Tomas Ryan, Research Technologist at the Teagasc Pig Development Department, updating attendees on the Low Emissions pig building.

Over 180 pig producers and industry stakeholders attended the event over the two days. Attendees were guided through interactive stations providing an ideal opportunity to see first-hand the results of the comprehensive research programme undertaken by Teagasc, and to meet and discuss with the researchers, postgraduate students and technical staff who carry out the work.

Much of the research on show had an emphasis on management and nutritional strategies, as well as sustainable pig production. This event provided attendees with an update on the Teagasc Pig Research Facility, our state of the art pig research farm, where we also detailed some of the new technologies employed in the unit. This year we introduced the Pig Nutrition Feed Lab and the early results from wet chemistry analysis of feed ingredients from the Teagasc pig sector feedstuffs analysis programme.

Pictured from left to right are: Sarah Hanley, IFA; Ciaran Carroll, Head of Knowledge Transfer, Teagasc Pig Development Department; Dr. Edgar Garcia Manzanilla, Head of the Teagasc Pig Development Department; Professor Frank O Mara, Director of Teagasc; Dr Amy Quinn, Teagasc Specialised Advisor, Teagasc Pig Development Department; and Professor Laurence Shalloo, Head of the Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Programme, Teagasc.

Speaking at the event, open day organiser and Teagasc Specialised Advisor, Dr Amy Quinn said, “We were delighted to welcome such big numbers to this year’s event. Attendees really enjoyed the interactive structure. This type of engagement and feedback benefits both the attendees and our research staff and students, strengthens our programme and ensures our future research continues to be both applicable and of high quality.”

The research on show at the event can be found in the event booklet (PDF).

Tune into the Teagasc Pig Edge Podcast for regular updates.