The conferences provide an opportunity for all pig farmers to meet fellow producers and get the latest advice and research results from the Teagasc Pig Development Department.

The pig sector has been through a difficult year since last year’s conference, mainly due to high feed prices impacting on the profitability of pig enterprises. The issue of feed ingredient supply and price prospects will be addressed at today’s conference. There will also be a special feature on reducing feed costs.

Updates from the Teagasc pig research programme at Moorepark are being presented with Teagasc staff reporting on recent research addressing the costs of pig manure treatment and an update on the GMSafeFOOD project, which is looking at the use of GM feed in pig diets.

With 2013 looming, pig farmers will receive guidance on the key components of good loose dry sow housing systems. Somewhat linked to this is a presentation on what the optimum sow culling strategy should be and the economics of earlier culling. The "Two Tonne Sow", first coined at the Teagasc 2009 conference is revisited with a twist at the conferences.

Presentations from representatives of two of the main banks on the financing of pig production are particularly relevant in the current environment.

Closing the conference Teagasc Director, Prof. Gerry Boyle, will also present certificates to attendees of the first ever FETAC level 6 Pig Course, which was run at the Teagasc centres in Moorepark, Clonakilty and Ballyhaise.