Pigs & Poultry
Improving pig welfare - EFSA findings on the welfare of weaner and grower pigs
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published the new Scientific Opinion on the Welfare of Pigs on Farm in August 2022. In this article, Laura Boyle discusses some of the implications of the findings for the welfare of weaners and rearing pigs.
12 May 2023
Changes to the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme
Louise Clarke, Teagasc Pig Development Officer, highlights changes and offers advice on how to apply to the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme in this article.
05 May 2023
A preview of the Teagasc Pig Open Day
The Teagasc Pig Open Day is just around the corner, taking place in Teagasc Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, at 10am on Tuesday, May 9th, and in Ballyhaise Agricultural College, Ballyhaise, Co. Cavan, at 10am on Thursday, May 11th.
05 May 2023
The Irish pig sector and the environment
On this episode of The Signpost Series, Pat Murphy, Head of Teagasc Environment KT, was joined by Ger McCutcheon, Specialist Pig Development Officer in Teagasc, to discuss the Irish pig sector and the environment.
28 April 2023
Moorepark Pig Research Farm Update April 2023
Tomás Ryan, Farm Manager at Teagasc Pig Research Facility gives an update on what has been happening on the farm during the first quarter of 2023.
24 April 2023
Are you adequately insured?
Insurance cover is very important to protect your business if an accident or tragedy occurs on the farm. It is important to understand what your insurance covers when you pay your annual premium. Gerard McCutcheon tells us more.
21 April 2023
Using slurry to reduce the cost of growing cereal crops
Shay Phelan, Mark Plunkett, John Mahon and Gerard McCutcheon tell us that slurry is a valuable nutrient source and its efficient use can help off-set rising fertiliser costs.
14 April 2023
Will the Irish pig sector produce the first carbon neutral meat?
The Irish pig sector, at times, receives negative comments as it addresses a number of its challenges - financial, environmental, welfare etc. However, one of the big positives for the sector is that the carbon footprint of pigs is very low when compared to other livestock sectors.
07 April 2023
Key learnings from the Spanish pig industry
The Spanish pig sector has sparked a lot of interest here over the past number of years, for a lot of reasons. It’s shown impressively fast growth to become the largest pork producer in Europe.
31 March 2023
Value of pig manure 2023
Infographic outlining the current value of pig manure as a valuable fertiliser for grass and tillage crops.
24 March 2023
Teagasc Pig Welfare Workshops 2023
The Teagasc Pig Development Department will be running two certified pig welfare workshops on the 22nd of March in the Horse and Jockey Hotel, Co. Tipperary at 2pm and on the 23rd of March in the Kilmore Hotel, Co. Cavan at 2pm.
17 March 2023
TAMS for Organic Farming
Joe Kelleher, Organic Specialist, tells us; the recent announcement that the opening of the TAMS 3 scheme is imminent has been greatly welcomed by organic farmers and it is great to see the list of eligible investment items that organic farmers can avail of has been greatly increased.
15 March 2023
Adding Value to Pigmeat
Keelin O’Driscoll, Teagasc Research Officer, tells us about a new project which aims to provide a means to capture value associated with intrinsic and extrinsic quality of the whole pork carcass from a sustainable pork system, supporting successful diversification of the pork chain.
10 March 2023
Celebrating International Women’s Day – Meet Rebecca Tierney
Today, Wednesday, March 8th, celebrates International Women’s Day – a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
08 March 2023
The Environmental Sustainability of Pig Production
Ger McCutcheon, Specialist Pig Development Officer with Teagasc, joins Ciarán Carroll on the latest episode of the Pig Edge podcast to discuss the environmental sustainability of pig production and the value of pig slurry.
03 March 2023
Supplemental milk and liquid feed for newly weaned pigs
Shiv Vasa & Peadar Lawlor tell us the abrupt change from a highly digestible liquid diet (sow’s milk) at weaning to a pelleted solid diet with a different texture, smell and composition leads to severe nutritional stress in newly weaned piglets.
24 February 2023
Brighter days ahead
The last 18 months have been cited as the worst period in living memory for Ireland's pig farmers, Micheal McKeon, Teagasc Pig Specialist, spoke with Helen on this week's episode of Ear to the Ground to discuss the future for the sector.
17 February 2023
Current Nitrate Regulations
Gerard McCutcheon, Teagasc Pig Specialist, tells us that the EU Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters Regulations (often referred to as the “nitrate” regulations) were reviewed and updated in 2022.
10 February 2023
Export Performance and Prospects report 2022/23
The publication of Bord Bia’s Export Performance and Prospects Report 2022/23 revealed the value of Ireland's food, drink and horticulture exports increased by 22% last year to reach a new record high of €16.7 billion
03 February 2023
What is the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme?
Louise Clarke tells us all about the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme and how to apply.
27 January 2023
How to avail of the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme
With the current situation of energy costs on pig farms, Louise Clarke, specialist advisor at Teagasc Ballyhaise, joins Ciarán Carroll on the latest Pig Edge podcast to discuss the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) and other energy cost-saving measures.
24 January 2023
EU Pig Supply - how many pigs will be going to market?
The low profitability across the European pig sector in the last 24 months has led to some pig producers deciding to exit the sector through destocking.
19 January 2023
Teagasc at the 2023 BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition
We invite you to visit the Teagasc stand at the 2023 BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE).
09 January 2023
Calling all outdoor pig producers!
Consideration of the welfare of animals, the environment, and humans, and how they are interconnected, is something that is increasingly important to the public when it comes to animal agriculture, and is likely to progressively affect how animal products are produced and marketed.
09 January 2023
Fatal Farm Accident Occurrence in 2022
John McNamara, Health and Safety Specialist, Teagasc, has urged all farmers to review farm safety practices on their farms this January, to ensure a safe working environment for farm families in 2023.
05 January 2023
The Chinese New Year for Irish producers
In 2023 according to the Chinese zodiac it will be the ‘Year of the rabbit’, which is reputed to symbolise peace and prosperity. Irish pig and beef producers will definitely be hoping that that this prophecy comes through as Chinese import demand has a growing influence on our farm-gate prices.
29 December 2022
Farm Fresh Turkey Production
Farm-fresh turkey production refers to the growing of turkeys in smaller units, when compared to the large-scale contract commercial year-round production.
24 December 2022
Be Winter Ready
Serena Gibbons, Education Officer, Teagasc Galway/Clare, reminds us that it is important to continue to keep safety high on the priority list as the farmyard is a hazardous place.
23 December 2022
Review of Occupational Safety and Health in Agriculture discussed at European Parliament Agriculture Committee
A major review of the Future of Agriculture and its impact on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) in the EU was recently discussed at the European Parliament Agriculture Committee.
21 December 2022
Stay Safe this Christmas
Christmas can create a hive of activity on many farms with family home and friends visiting. It is important to continue to keep safety high on the priority list as the farmyard is a hazardous place. Francis Bligh, Teagasc Health & Safety Specialist has advice on staying safe this Christmas
20 December 2022