The Pig Edge

The Annual Teagasc Pig Farmer’s Conference will take place slightly earlier than usual this year on Tuesday 7th October in the Horse and Jockey Hotel, Tipperary and Wednesday 8th October in the Farnham Estate, Cavan. The event, now in its 31st year, is a staple in the pig farming calendar and will once again bring together pig producers, stakeholders and members of the Pig Development Department for a wide-ranging technical programme you won’t want to miss. This year’s programme is brimming with the latest innovations, practical advice and strategies to help you stay ahead. Plus the Conference as always is a great opportunity to catch up with fellow pig producers and the familiar faces in the pig development department.For this episode of the Pig Edge, we’re joined by Ciarán Carroll, head of Pig Knowledge Transfer to explore what’s in store for the event this year. For more information on the conference go to:Teagasc Pig Farmers Conference – Tipperaryhttps://teagasc.ie/event/teagasc-pig-farmers-conference-2/Teagasc Pig Farmers Conference – Cavanhttps://teagasc.ie/event/teagasc-pig-farmers-conference/ For more episodes and information from the Pig Edge podcast go to:https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/pigs/the-pig-edge-podcast/ Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

On-farm incineration is a method of waste management that has gained growing attention in recent years and to learn more about it, on the latest Pig Edge, Emer McCrum is joined by Derek Carr from Addfield to give his insights into the regulatory framework, practical considerations and environmental implications of on-farm incineration, as well as its relevance to pig farming in Ireland. For more episodes and information from the Pig Edge podcast go to:https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/pigs/the-pig-edge-podcast/ Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

For 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. Pig production is one of the main consumers of Irish cereals and the resulting slurry produced on units can be an important source of nutrients for tillage crops. Opportunities for greater co-operation between the two sectors, from diversifying cereal production to increased use of pig slurry on crops, can lead to a stronger bio-circular economy, with resultant economic benefits for both parties.On this episode, Michael Hennessy, host and head of the Teagasc Crops Knowledge Department, was joined by Tillage Specialist ,Ciaran Collins, and our own Specialised Advisor, Michael McKeon, to discuss the various management considerations of utilising pig slurry on tillage farms. For more episodes and information from the Pig Edge podcast go to:https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/pigs/the-pig-edge-podcast/ Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

We're taking a look back on the careers and experiences of two long-time Teagasc pig experts on this month’s Pig Edge. Brendan Lynch, former Head of Department and Chief Pig Scientist, and Michael Martin, former Head of Department and Pig Specialist join Amy Quinn to talk about their careers. From their early days in the pig industry to the pivotal moments that shaped their careers, Brendan and Michael offer first-hand insights into the major changes and challenges in Irish pig production, along with their proudest achievements. Join us as we uncover their thoughts on the past, present, and future of Ireland’s pig industry. For more episodes and information from the Pig Edge podcast go to:https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/pigs/the-pig-edge-podcast/ Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Manure management has been a much talked-about topic on farms this year. On August 21st, the Nutrient Importation Storage Scheme (NISS) was announced as part of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS III) by the Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue. For this episode of The Pig Edge, we're joined by Specialised Pig Advisor, Emer McCrum, to explore what this new scheme means for pig producers and how it could impact their business. For more episodes and information from the Pig Edge podcast go to:https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/pigs/the-pig-edge-podcast/ Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

The 2023 Teagasc National Pig Herd Performance Report has just been released, revealing some notable changes in our key performance indicators for the 2023 year. To delve into the report and analyse the figures and trends in detail, we have Specialised Pig Advisor Ger McCutcheon with us for the latest episode of The Pig Edge. You can download and read the report in full here:https://www.teagasc.ie/publications/2024/national-pig-herd-performance-report-2023.php For more episodes and information from the Pig Edge podcast go to:https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/pigs/the-pig-edge-podcast/ Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

The Teagasc Pig Development Department is internationally renowned for its research, primarily focusing much of our programme on conducting research that can produce tangible benefits for commercial farmers on the ground in Ireland. For this latest episode of The Pig Edge, Amy Quinn is joined by pig nutrition researcher, Peadar Lawlor, to look at the economic benefits of research. Teagasc Pig Open Day 2024 We are also delighted to invite all pig farmers and pig industry stakeholders to the Teagasc Pig Open Day 2024, on Wednesday May 22nd in the Paddy O’Keeffe Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork and Friday May 24th in Ballyhaise Agricultural College, Ballyhaise, Co. Cavan, starting at 10am in both locations.Please register for this event below or contact Niamh Allen at 025 42457 or niamh.allen@teagasc.ie Link to register for open day: https://us18.list-manage.com/survey?u=a7b8c417dc058d8eaf18cadc1&id=ce0969e986 For more episodes and information from the Pig Edge podcast go to:https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/pigs/the-pig-edge-podcast/ Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

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 more episodes and information from the Pig Edge podcast go to:https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/pigs/the-pig-edge-podcast/ Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

On this our 50th episode of the Pig Edge podcast, we reflect on the strengths of our industry and look to the opportunities that lie ahead. Heather Peppard, Nutritionist with Brett Brothers, and Roy Gallie, pig and tillage farmer and Chair of the IFA National Pigs Committee, join Amy Quinn to do just that.For more episodes and information from the Pig Edge podcast go to: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/pigs/the-pig-edge-podcast/ Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

The majority of farms out there are operating on a weekly farrowing system but there is another option potentially worth considering: batch farrowing. It’s thought to have many labour saving and time management benefits for some farms and we are seeing it increasingly used. So on this episode of the Pig Edge podcast, Amy Quinn is joined by Tomás Ryan, the farm manager of the Teagasc Pig research facility which is a 3 week batch farrowing farm, to talk through the pros, cons and logistics to help you see if this system could be the right fit for your farm. For more episodes and information from the Pig Edge podcast go to: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/pigs/the-pig-edge-podcast/ Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

Minister Simon Harris recently announced the launch of new farm apprenticeships with these new programmes marking an exciting stepping stone for both farms and farm staff allowing the next generation of farmers access to the education they want and need, whilst still working on farm. These programmes will provide a career pathway for staff already working on farms and looking to upskill, school leavers, or those looking for a change in career or looking to get back to employment. So on this episode of the Pig Edge, Amy Quinn is joined by Marcella Phelan, National Apprenticeship Programme Co-ordinator with the Teagasc Curriculum & Development Standards Unit, to tell us what we need to know about the farm apprenticeship programmes and what exactly we need to do to get involved. The next step for interested farms is to register their interest without delay at this link: https://www.apprenticeshiponline.ie/#/employer/register For more episodes and information from the Pig Edge podcast go to: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/pigs/the-pig-edge-podcast/ Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com

In 2016 Teagasc opened the Teagasc Pig Research Facility in Moorepark Co. Cork, a facility which many of you are familiar with. On this episode of the Pig Edge, Amy Quinn us joined by Tomás Ryan & Aisling Holmes who are in charge of the day to day running of the unit. They reflect on some of the changes they have made in the unit over the past number of years and their motivations as to why. For more episodes and information from the Pig Edge podcast go to: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/pigs/the-pig-edge-podcast/ Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com