Pigs & Poultry
Eating more - it’s easier said than done!
Michael Mc Keon highlights the importance of maximising sow feed intake. It boosts milk yield, weaning weights, and fertility. But how do we make it happen? We all agree that good feed intake is crucial. But how do we achieve it?
21 March 2025
Broiler litter as a fertiliser in tillage systems
Broiler litter boosts soil fertility and structure while cutting costs for tillage farmers. Rich in key nutrients, it must be managed carefully to maximise benefits and minimise risks. Veronica Nyhan highlights its role in sustainable farming with proper application.
20 March 2025
Pig slurry in tillage - a natural boost for soil & crops
We explore the benefits of using pig slurry as an alternative to chemical fertilisers in tillage farming on the latest Tillage Edge podcast.
20 March 2025
Teagasc Pig Welfare Workshops
The Teagasc Pig Development Department is running a number of Pig Welfare Workshops in early April.
14 March 2025
Adapt your diets for lower protein cereals
Kieran Keane explores the drop in crude protein levels in 2024 cereal harvests. What does this mean for pig producers? With wheat, barley, and maize all testing lower than expected, it’s time to reassess formulations to avoid performance losses.
07 March 2025
Everything farmers need to know about putting solar panels on sheds
Barry Caslin highlights how farmers, blessed with extensive roof areas ideal for solar panel installations, can turn these underutilized areas into energy-generating assets. This can help meet their energy needs & provide the potential to contribute to the national grid.
03 March 2025
Meeting the energy requirements of lactating sows in 2025
With litter sizes on Irish pig farms growing, Peadar Lawlor highlights the need for optimal sow nutrition during lactation. Balancing high feed intake and nutrient density is essential to rearing healthy litters while maintaining sow condition.
28 February 2025
Proper insurance cover is vital
Correct insurance cover is vital to protect your business if an accident occurs on the farm. It is important to understand your insurance cover when you pay your annual premium. Gerard McCutcheon outlines key areas to review, to ensure your farm stays protected.
21 February 2025
Heightened levels of biosecurity needed on poultry units
The need to implement strict biosecurity measures on poultry units has heightened due to the circulation of avian influenza in the wild bird population in the Republic of Ireland and the confirmation of a positive case in a poultry unit in Northern Ireland.
20 February 2025
Replacement & Culling Rate
Louise Clarke discusses how gilt management impacts sow productivity and farm profitability. With 32% of Irish gilts culled by their third litter, producers face rising costs and declining efficiency. A good culling strategy and good gilt development are key to maximizing herd longevity.
14 February 2025
Poultry housing order to come into effect
In an effort to protect poultry and captive birds from the risk of avian influenza, a compulsory housing order will come into effect on Monday, 17 February, 2025.
13 February 2025
‘Highest standards of biosecurity needed’ due to avian flu risk
Following the confirmation of a case of avian influenza in a small captive flock in Co. Derry, Northern Ireland, poultry keepers have been encouraged to implement the highest standards of biosecurity to protect their flocks and the poultry sector in Ireland.
11 February 2025
Health and welfare: Work in progress
Edgar Garcia Manzanilla, Head of Teagasc Pig Department, tells us about ongoing research at the Teagasc Pig Research Facility, from reducing antibiotic and zinc oxide use to exploring free-lactation systems, new strategies are being tested to improve farming practices.
07 February 2025
Focus on slurry management
Edgar Garcia Manzanilla, Head of Teagasc Pig Department, writes about some of the ongoing slurry management research taking place at Teagasc, aiming to test new strategies to ensure a sustainable future.
31 January 2025
Two years of research in sustainable pig farming
Edgar Garcia Manzanilla, Head of Teagasc Pig Department, looks back on the last two years of research, focused on helping farmers make informed choices for the future.
24 January 2025
Antimicrobial use - still a major concern worldwide
Antibiotic or antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remains a greater and more pressing threat to human and animal health than climate change and yet it receives much less attention in the media, Laura Boyle, Senior Research Officer in the Teagasc Pig Development Department tells us more.
17 January 2025
The Case for Split Sex Feeding Gilts and Boars
Peadar Lawlor highlights how separating boars and gilts and tailoring diets to their unique needs can boost growth efficiency, reduce feed costs, and minimise environmental impact.
10 January 2025
What farmers need to know about the New Veterinary Medicine Regulations
Joanne Masterson, Soils & Environment Advisor, discusses new regulations requiring veterinary prescriptions for anti-parasitics to combat antimicrobial resistance and promote responsible medicine use.
02 January 2025
The story behind your Christmas turkey
Rebecca Tierney, Poultry Advisor, outlines the historical and cultural significance of turkey in Irish Christmas dinners, and shares insights into the dedication and tradition behind producing the perfect bird for your Christmas dinner.
24 December 2024
The story behind your Christmas ham
The Christmas ham is an institution in many homes throughout Ireland, served along with the turkey as the centrepiece of the festive celebrations. Ciarán Carroll describes the journey of your Christmas ham, from farm to fork.
20 December 2024
Pig farm energy costs - analysing your bills
While energy prices have gradually reduced in the last two years, Pig Development Officer at Teagasc, Emer McCrum explains why now is an opportune time to for pig farmers to review their individual situation and plan measures to reduce this cost.
13 December 2024
Measures to reduce risk of avian influenza come into effect
Following the detection of H5N1 avian influenza virus in a buzzard in Co. Galway this week, flock keepers are now required to apply particular biosecurity measures as a precautionary measure to help prevent outbreaks.
06 December 2024
Pig Edge: Reviewing the 2024 pig and feed prices and the outlook for 2025
Michael McKeon, Specialist Pig Advisor at Teagasc Moorepark, joins Ciarán Carroll for the latest episode of The Pig Edge with a review of pig and feed prices for 2024 and the outlook for 2025.
06 December 2024
Farm incomes forecast to rise in 2025
Published today, December 3 as part of the Outlook 2025 Conference held in Teagasc Ashtown, the Teagasc Outlook 2025, Economic Prospects for Agriculture Report, looks ahead to future prospects by forecasting farm incomes in 2025.
03 December 2024
Farm incomes move up in 2024
A new report, by economists at Teagasc, provides the latest estimates of average incomes for various farm types in 2024 and looks ahead to future prospects by forecasting farm incomes in 2025.
03 December 2024
EuroTier 2024: Latest Innovations
Pig Development Department staff recently attended EuroTier, the world's leading trade fair for animal farming and livestock management Eurotier which took place from 12th to 15th November in Hannover Germany.
29 November 2024
Is Your Farm Winter Ready?
As winter approaches, ensuring your pig farm is prepared is crucial to maintaining pig health, productivity, and staff safety. Ciarán Carroll gives a guide to help get your farm ready for the colder months.
22 November 2024
Lowering Feed Cost: Picking the Low-Hanging 'FCE' Fruit
Gerard McCutcheon, Michael McKeon, and Laura Boyle, discussed strategies to enhance feed conversion efficiency to improve cost competitiveness, focusing on health, feed access, and minimizing stress at mixing, at the recent Teagasc Pig Farmers’ Conference.
15 November 2024
Lowering Nitrogen Excretion from Pig Production
Dr Elizabeth Ball, a Senior Scientific Officer at AFBI, shared strategies for reducing the environmental impact of pig production by lowering nitrogen excretion and optimising feed ingredients, essential for sustainable farming practices, at the recent Teagasc Pig Farmers’ Conference.
08 November 2024
Brendan Lynch and Michael Martin look back on the changes and challenges of the Irish pig industry
We're taking a look back on the careers and experiences of two long-time Teagasc pig experts on this month’s Pig Edge.
06 November 2024