Pigs & Poultry
Gene editing: The next leap in pig production efficiency?
Could gene editing transform pig production as a new tool to boost production efficiency and disease resistance?
13 June 2025
Cleaning liquid feed mix tanks
Ciaran Carroll of the Teagasc Pig Development Department takes us through the process of cleaning liquid feed mix tanks, an important task on pig farms given the quantity of feed used.
06 June 2025
Focus on sow replacement rate
Managing sow replacement is key to farm success. Aiming for 5 to 6 litters per sow can cut costs and improve piglet health. Gerard McCutcheon tells us more.
30 May 2025
The water footprint of pig production in Ireland - a good news story
Shilpi Misri, Keelin O’Driscoll, John Upton and Amy Quinn tell us about how Irish pig farms are using water wisely.
23 May 2025
Teagasc Annual Layer Conference returns this week
The Teagasc Annual Layer Conference will return for a third year, with the event taking place on Wednesday, May 21 at the Hotel Kilmore, Dublin Road, Co. Cavan.
19 May 2025
What’s the Carbon Footprint of Irish Pig Production?
Emer McCrum, Pig Development Officer at Ballyhaise, outlines how new work from Teagasc will help inform pig producers of their carbon footprint, paving the way for more informed on-farm sustainability decisions.
16 May 2025
Sow management to reduce empty days
Ciarán Carroll has seen a rise in empty days, when sows are neither pregnant nor nursing, on several farms. In this article, he shares practical tips to help reduce empty days through better sow management.
09 May 2025
Trial Results: Crude Protein in Finisher Diets
Kieran Keane tells us about a recent trial at the Moorepark Pig Research Facility examining how different crude protein levels in finisher diets impact pig performance, feed efficiency, and profitability, and why ingredient analysis is key to getting it right.
02 May 2025
Caring for sick animals on farm
Good care helps sick pigs recover faster and suffer less. Louise Clarke explains how to spot illness early, treat pigs properly, and make the right decisions.
25 April 2025
WelFarmers: Collecting Good Practices to Improve Pig Welfare
Neil Tirchett brings tells us about WelFarmers, a Europe-wide effort to boost pig welfare through real farm practices, shared insights, and smart solutions.
18 April 2025
EU Partnership in Animal Health & Welfare
Keelin O’Driscoll tells us about a new EU Partnership in Animal Health & Welfare, an ambitious research and innovation initiative the European Commission (EC) has funded to control infectious diseases of animals, and to promote animal welfare.
11 April 2025
The benefits of using pig slurry in tillage farming
On this month’s Pig Edge podcast, we’re featuring highlights from a recent episode of the Tillage Edge focusing on the benefits of using pig slurry as an alternative to chemical fertilisers in tillage farming.
04 April 2025
New post-weaning strategies being tested out at Teagasc Pig Research Facility
A 200-sow pig research centre based at Teagasc Moorepark, the Teagasc Pig Research Facility (TPRF) will test out post-weaning feeding and housing strategies this year.
02 April 2025
Farm Energy Costs: Improving Energy Efficiency
Energy costs are a major expense for pig farms. Reducing energy use improves sustainability and saves money. A simple review of energy use can highlight ways to cut costs and boost efficiency, Emer McCrum tells us more.
28 March 2025
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