National Pig Conference 2010
The Teagasc National Pig Conferences 2010 will be held on Tuesday next, 19th October, in the Horse and Jockey Hotel, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
This years conference takes place against a worrying background of rising feed costs by producers and Michael Martin, Head of Teagasc Pig Development Units states:
“Pig feed prices have increased by about €37 per tonne since June of this year. This equates to a 14 cent increase in feed cost per kg carcase weight. Unfortunately, pig prices have decreased by 7 cent per kg carcase weight since August 2010. Consequently, the margin over feed costs has shrunk to what is, for many producers, an unsustainable 43 cent per kg carcase weight.”
Speakers at Tuesday’s Thurles Conference will set out to address how producers might seek to reduce overall costs, while endeavouring to command the best possible price for pigs slaughtered. The quality of the feed ingredients is critical in minimising feed costs. Where will pig feed ingredients in the future be sourced? Are there any measures that producers can take to minimise feed costs in the short-term? All these questions will be addressed at the conferences.
Guest speaker at the event is Mr Derek Armstrong who is Veterinary Programme Manager with the British Pig Executive (BPEX). Derek will present a paper on the challenges now facing producers in relation to pig health and welfare and food safety.
The upcoming conferences will be opened by Director of Teagasc, Professor Gerry Boyle, at 2.15pm.
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