Pigs & Poultry
Teagasc Pig Research Farm performance in 2023
Teagasc Pig Research Farm performance in 2023 In the first video update of 2024 from the Moorepark Pig Research Unit, Aisling provided an overview of the unit’s achievements and challenges throughout 2023. Aisling discussed significant metrics in reproductive success, including an 86% farrowing rate. The average number of piglets born alive saw […]
22 March 2024
Farmers leading the way in pig welfare with WelFarmers
Farmers leading the way in pig welfare with WelFarmers Edgar Garcia Manzanilla, tells us that the EU is on its way to produce new regulations in the area of animal welfare. These regulations are based on consumer demands and scientific evidence. However, farmers have protested on several occasions that the way that […]
15 March 2024
Space to grow: Reducing stocking density has benefits for pig welfare and performance
0 Space to grow: Reducing stocking density has benefits for pig welfare and performance Keelin O’Driscoll & Melissa Cupido, tell us that in recent years, there has been increasing emphasis placed by national and EU regulators when it comes to adapting pig management strategies to improve welfare. One strategy which is encouraged is […]
8 March 2024
Optimising Pig Performance: Balancing diet, sustainability & the future
0 Optimising Pig Performance: Balancing diet, sustainability & the future Fiona O’ Meara, Commercial Pig Nutritionist with Inform Nutrition, joins Amy Quinn on the latest episode of The Pig Edge to discuss all things pig nutrition, from dry sow fibre levels to the aftermath of zinc oxide removal and finisher phase feeding. For […]
1 March 2024
Water disinfection by chlorination
Water disinfection by chlorination Clean drinking water is essential for the growth and development of pigs and as such, plays a key role in animal performance, writes Emer McCrum. The provision of clean drinking water is therefore essential to support all stages and ages of pigs. Younger animals in particular however are […]
23 February 2024
Encouraging the use of pig slurry
Encouraging the use of pig slurry Farmers interested in importing slurry, in order to minimise fertiliser costs, are advised to complete a nutrient management plan first to assess their nutrient needs against slurry import rules. Louise Clarke tells us more It is important that farmers are aware of the maximum amounts they […]
16 February 2024
A new year – A new plan
0 A new year – A new plan This is an opportune time to take stock of what happened in the past, and to make plans for the future, writes Gerard McCutcheon. It is important in any business to examine past performance. Do you know what your exact production costs were last year? […]
9 February 2024
Pig throughput declines in 2023
0 Pig throughput declines in 2023 The Irish livestock sector witnessed shifts in 2023, with the most notable change being an 8.9% decrease in pig throughput, recent data released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) has shown. Pig Slaughterings – A Significant Drop The most striking statistic from the report is the 8.9% […]
4 February 2024
Lunchtime Webinar Series to focus on key pig husbandry topics
Lunchtime Webinar Series to focus on key pig husbandry topics The Pig Development Department is launching a new continuous learning ‘lunchtime webinar series’ for farm staff, targeting a programme of key husbandry topics over the coming year. The webinars will be short, 60-80 minutes, and each will be targeted on a particular […]
28 January 2024
Adding value to pig meat: What is important to consumers?
0 Adding value to pig meat: What is important to consumers? Molly Harrison, Teagasc Pig Development Department, discusses a study on consumer preferences for pig meat products, focusing on the impact of assurance labels, such as welfare and sustainability labels, on purchasing decisions. Consumers are increasingly conscious of how their food is produced, […]
5 January 2024