{"id":1315139,"date":"2024-05-25T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-25T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.agriland.ie\/?p=1315139"},"modified":"2024-05-27T11:53:22","modified_gmt":"2024-05-27T10:53:22","slug":"pig-open-day-focuses-on-sustainable-production-and-research","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lightsail.agriland.ie\/farming-news\/pig-open-day-focuses-on-sustainable-production-and-research\/","title":{"rendered":"Pig Open Day focuses on sustainable production and research"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Over 180 pig producers and industry stakeholders gathered at two events this week as part of the Teagasc Pig Open Day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Delegates gathered in the Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork and in Ballyhaise Agricultural College, Co. Cavan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The session also included an overview of planned future research by the head of the Teagasc Pig Development Department, Dr. Edgar Garcia Manzanilla.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The events allowed attendees to view results from the pig research programme undertaken by Teagasc, and to meet with the researchers, students and staff who carry out the work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Much of the research showcased had an emphasis on management and nutritional strategies, as well as sustainable pig production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Topics included the impact of parasites on liver quality and pig performance and the sustainability of pig diets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Researchers examining the value of “assurance labelling” said that one third of consumers valued the high pig welfare label.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A team examining the issue of tail biting identified “major risk factors” on Irish pig farms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A study on farrowing room enrichment options found no negative impacts on production and lower damaging behaviour in piglets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The results of another trial recommended creep feeding for piglets to increase weaning weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Those in attendance were also given an update on the Teagasc Pig Research Facility, which opened in August 2023, including some of the new technologies being employed in the unit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This includes the LeeO system for herd management developed by MSD Animal Health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This year saw the launch of the “Pig Nutrition Feed Lab”, which is currently carrying out an analysis of feed ingredients from the Teagasc pig sector feedstuffs analysis programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Research<\/h2>\n\n\n\n