Top US Pig Behaviour Expert Will Address Teagasc Pig Conferences
The benefits in terms of performance from a good welfare regime for pigs is the focus of this year’s Teagasc pig production conferences.
The keynote speaker at the conferences, which will be held at three locations around the country next week, is American pig behaviour specialist Professor John McGlone from Texas Tech University.
Professor McGlone is regarded as a world authority on his subject and works with a number of top US food chains, meat plants and producers in improving pig welfare.
He will discuss the importance of good stockmanship in achieving high productivity and how good handling techniques make life easier for pigs and owners.
Teagasc’s own pig production experts will deal with a range of topics from breeding to behaviour, management and the impact of the Nitrates Directive on pig producers.
“What good pig producers do well and the rest of us wish we had done or could do” is the provocative title of the opening talk by Seamas Clarke, Teagasc Pig Development Officer at Ballyhaise, Co Cavan.
Dr Peadar Lawlor, research officer at Teagac Moorepark, Co Cork, will deal with the selection of gilts for sow longevity. Dr Laura Boyle, another research officer at Moorepark, will deal with reducing aggression in sows.
Dr Ciaran O’Carroll, also from Moorepark, will deal with maximising the lactation feed intake. Michael Martin, chief pig production development officer at Teagasc Athenry, Co Galway, will discuss designing the pig unit of the future.
Dr Brendan Lynch, head of the Pig Service in Moorepark, deals with what home compounding can offer, while Ger McCutcheon, pig production adviser in Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, will examine the implications of the Nitrates Directive for pig producers.
Slaughter weights continue to increase and post-doctoral research student Karen O’Connell will look at some of the opportunities and pitfalls with heavy pigs.
The first conference takes place in Longford at the Longford Arms Hotel on Monday, October 17th, 2005, starting at 2.15 pm and running until 6.00 pm. The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food, Mr. Brendan Smith, will formally open the conference.
The second conference, at the Newpark Hotel in Kilkenny, takes place the following day, Tuesday, October 18th, at the same time, while the final conference is in the new conference centre in Moorepark on Wednesday, October 19th, also starting at 2.15 pm.
Over one hundred pig farmers are expected to attend each of the sessions.
ENDS
Issued on behalf of Teagasc by
Larry O’Loughlin, A/Head of Public Relations.
Tel: 087 256 2434; 059 9183408;
email loloughlin@hq.teagasc.ie .
