The Irish pig sector must be able to compete in the international market if it is to survive, prosper and develop. At present, we have higher feed prices and feed costs than other EU countries and we need to reduce these if we are to be sustainable. Funding provided via the Teagasc/IFA Joint Programme levy enabled Teagasc to appoint specialist pig development officers, research officers and a research technician, who along with existing staff will deliver the recently published Pig Research, Advisory, Education & Training Programme 2016-2020. This programme proposes a target of producing 27 pigs per sow per year, and a feed conversion from weaning to sale of 2.4 by 2020 (Table 1).
The Irish pig sector must be able to compete in the international market if it is to survive, prosper and develop. At present, we have higher feed prices and feed costs than other EU countries and we need to reduce these if we are to be sustainable.
Funding provided via the Teagasc/IFA Joint Programme levy enabled Teagasc to appoint specialist pig development officers, research officers and a research technician, who along with existing staff will deliver the recently published Pig Research, Advisory, Education & Training Programme 2016-2020. This programme proposes a target of producing 27 pigs per sow per year, and a feed conversion from weaning to sale of 2.4 by 2020 (Table 1).
While these targets are physical targets, it is imperative that achieving them translates into economic benefits from reduced feed and non-feed production costs. These improvements would result in a six cent reduction in feed costs per kg dead weight. Some of the key initiatives in the new programme are detailed below.
Research
The Teagasc Pig Development Department research programme covers a range of areas including nutrition and management, sow productivity, animal health and welfare, environment and food safety. The programme is closely linked with the research programmes in Irish and overseas universities.
Teagasc committed €3.5m to the development of the new state-of-the-art National Pig Research Facility which opened at Moorepark in June this year. Independent applied research will be undertaken here and on commercial pig farms around Ireland.
New research initiatives include:
1. Investigate feed formulation systems based on net energy(NE)/standard ileal digestible amino acids (SID AA) and their main advantages under Irish production conditions. This project is designed to help move the industry forward to better formulation criteria that will save pig producers money.
2. Regular publication of standardised Moorepark diets, adjusted to incorporate the use of alternative ingredients.
3. Establish guidelines on the optimum use of wet feed systems: up to 70% of Irish pigs are liquid-fed. Many farms still use excessive water:meal ratios, negatively affecting the feed efficiency of pigs and increasing manure volume. Optimum water:meal ratios, feeding curves and timing of feed splits will be determined and comparison of wet versus dry feed will be researched.
4. Gilt rearing: identify improved methods of gilt rearing, so that nutrition and management is optimised to reduce limb problems, and improve mammary development. This will not only have positive outcomes for the gilt, but also for the efficiency of the piglets produced.
5. Investigate link between respiratory disease, performance, welfare and antimicrobial use. Reduction in antimicrobial usage will be legislated for in the near future. Any improvements the pig sector can make towards this will have enormous societal benefits. The projects will also develop novel diagnostic methods for respiratory disease, and identify risk factors.
6. Terminal sire evaluation using different genetic terminal sources: previous work (over 20 years ago) at Moorepark showed a €6 per pig benefit to producers so it’s timely to review modern genetics at the new research facility.
Knowledge Transfer
Specialist pig development officers service pig producers from offices in Moorepark, Oak Park and Ballyhaise, providing an independent business and technology service, based on the analysis of herd performance data, feed costs and financial records and benchmarking these against industry averages using the Teagasc e-Profit Monitor (ePM) PigSys herd recording system.
1. Expand the numbers of farms/sows on the Teagasc ePM system: this system provides clients and their adviser with up-to-date detailed information on the technical and financial performance of the herd and helps form the basis for the advisory service delivered to clients.
Data from participating herds is amalgamated annually to provide national information of the technical performance, costs of production and margins in the sector. This national database is the source of benchmarking targets such as average, top 25% and top 10% of herds selected on specific parameters. The ePM system provides essential information required to enable Ireland to participate in InterPig, in which participant countries compare production efficiencies and costs.
The programme will focus on increasing the numbers participating in ePM PigSys herd recording (currently 97,000 sows or 56% of the national herd) and investigate the potential to target farms with specific issues and link them to research projects. The ePM system will monitor progress on the targets outlined in this document (27 pigs per sow per year, and a feed conversion from weaning to sale of 2.4 by 2020), while focussing on the key performance indicator of producing two tonnes of pigmeat from seven tonnes of feed.
2. Develop regional discussion groups: discussion group members are up to 20% more likely to adopt new technologies and best management practices, resulting in enhanced physical performance which translates into profit. Regional pig discussion groups will have a significant impact on technology adoption and farm profit.
3. Monthly monitor of pig and compound feed prices, plus feed cost model and guide price for home millers.
4. Pig research dissemination days: the new pig research dissemination days give the opportunity for research staff and students to disseminate the results of their projects carried out at Moorepark and on commercial farms.
5. Use of research findings to further develop feed formulations (best cost and low cost) for producers, incorporating the use of alternative ingredients.
6. Use the ePM PigSys database to research and develop an economic model for Irish pig production.
Education
Skilled staff, motivated to deliver a high level of technical performance, are essential in pig production. Large, specialised units with skilled, well-trained staff were the drivers of the world-class productivity in the sector in the past.
In conjunction with Ballyhaise and Clonakilty Agricultural colleges, Teagasc initiated a FETAC (now QQI) course in pig production in 2009. Since then, over 120 students have been trained and upskilled in pig production. These courses help to ensure pig farm operatives are trained to the highest standards of animal husbandry. There is a need to further develop such courses and a pig farm managers’ course for those who wish to progress their careers in the pig sector. Some of the education initiatives include:
Appoint a course coordinator to oversee all aspects of pig education and training.Continue existing QQI Level 5 pig course and develop a Level 6 and/or Professional Diploma in Pig Farm Management.Introduction to pig production (Ag college module): to expose the general agriculture students to the pig industry and career opportunities in the sector.Publication of Pig Management Manual. Read more
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Teagasc Pig Research, Advisory, Education and Training Programme 2016-2020
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