Upcoming Events
Pig Farmers' Conference 2024
The 30th Teagasc Pig Farmers’ Conference is set to take place on October 22nd at the Horse and Jockey Hotel in County Tipperary, followed by a session on October 23rd at Farnham Estate, Cavan. The conference will commence at 12:30 PM on both days, with a light lunch provided for all attendees.
This annual event aims to bring together stakeholders from across the pig farming sector, encouraging attendees to connect with fellow producers and engage with the latest developments from the Teagasc Pig Development Department. Mark your calendars—this is an event you won’t want to miss!
This year’s conference features an impressive line-up of invited speakers, each bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the discussions on the day.
Hans Bundgaard, DVM
Hans Bundgaard, a Consultant Pig Veterinarian and co-founder of Porcus ApS in Denmark, is a prominent figure in pig consultancy. With extensive experience working with pig farms across Europe and Asia, Hans will address the critical topic of cross-fostering and nurse sow management. He will emphasise the importance of reducing pre-weaning mortality in piglets through optimal fostering techniques, ensuring adequate colostrum intake, and effectively managing nurse sows. His insights will be invaluable for producers looking to improve piglet care and minimise infection risks on their farms.
Pedro Nonay
Pedro Nonay brings over 36 years of experience in the agricultural commodities sector, with a rich academic background in Sociology, Law, and Political Science. He is involved in consultancy, advisory services, and has co-authored a publication on geopolitical trends. At the conference, Pedro will discuss Geopolitical Conflicts & Agro-Trade, focusing on navigating global shifts, food security, and the challenges facing the industry today.
Dr. Elizabeth Ball
Dr. Elizabeth Ball, a Senior Scientific Officer within the Monogastric Research Group at AFBI, has led several impactful research projects relevant to the pig industry. Her research focuses on optimising nutrient utilisation of both conventional and novel feed ingredients, as well as reducing the environmental impact of pig and poultry production. Elizabeth will present on strategies for lowering nitrogen excretion from pig production, providing insights that are crucial for sustainable farming practices.
Additional Presentations
In addition to the keynote speeches, the conference will include a presentation celebrating 30 years of the Teagasc Pig Farmers’ Conference, highlighting the content of past conferences and the significant progress made over the years.
Another talk will focus on the importance of monitoring empty days and overall breeding performance, highlighting how reducing non-productive days through effective management practices can significantly boost both profitability and productivity.
Teagasc & the IFA, will present an overview of the WelFarmers project, which aims to identify challenges facing pig farmers and promote best practices in four critical welfare areas. This initiative employs a bottom-up approach, collecting insights from farmers and stakeholders to share solutions across Europe, particularly in light of future changes to EU pig welfare legislation.
Additionally, there will be a presentation addressing feed conversion efficiency (FCE) on pig farms, which will focus on practical strategies to tackle low-hanging fruit that can enhance overall farm productivity.
This year's Teagasc Pig Farmers’ Conference is set to be a valuable opportunity for learning and networking within the pig farming sector. We look forward to welcoming you all.