We're taking a look back on the careers and experiences of two long-time Teagasc pig experts on this month’s Pig Edge. Brendan Lynch, former Head of Department and Chief Pig Scientist, and Michael Martin, former Head of Department and Pig Specialist join Amy Quinn to talk about their careers. From their early days in the pig industry to the pivotal…

For the latest Pig Edge podcast, we’re diving into all the details of the upcoming Annual Teagasc Pig Farmers’ Conference, which is celebrating 30 years of the conference this year. On this episode, we’re joined by Ciarán Carroll, Louise Clarke and Michael McKeon from the advisory team in the Teagasc Pig Development Department as we explore what's …

Manure management has been a much talked-about topic on farms this year. On August 21st, the Nutrient Importation Storage Scheme (NISS) was announced as part of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS III) by the Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue. For this episode of The Pig Edge, we're joined by Spec…

This month’s Pig Edge is focusing on breeding and reproduction and Amy Quinn is joined by Teagasc Specialised Pig Advisor, Emer McCrum, to share her thoughts and experiences on the common themes and issues from around the country. For more episodes and information from the Pig Edge podcast go to: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/pigs/the-pig-edge-pod…

The 2023 Teagasc National Pig Herd Performance Report has just been released, revealing some notable changes in our key performance indicators for the 2023 year. To delve into the report and analyse the figures and trends in detail, we have Specialised Pig Advisor Ger McCutcheon with us for the latest episode of The Pig Edge. You can download and r…

The Teagasc pig team are in the final stages of preparation for their research event, the Pig Open Day 2024, which will take place at 10am on Wednesday May 22nd in the Paddy O’Keeffe Innovation Centre, Teagasc Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork and 10am Friday May 24th in Ballyhaise Agricultural College, Co. Cavan. On this bonus episode of the Pig Edge, C…

The Teagasc Pig Development Department is internationally renowned for its research, primarily focusing much of our programme on conducting research that can produce tangible benefits for commercial farmers on the ground in Ireland. For this latest episode of The Pig Edge, Amy Quinn is joined by pig nutrition researcher, Peadar Lawlor, to look at t…

Kieran Keane, Pig Research Technician specialising in nutrition, with the Teagasc Pig Development Department joins Amy Quinn on the latest Pig Edge podcast to discuss current feed ingredient prices, the new Teagasc pig feed lab and current and upcoming Teagasc pig nutrition research trials. For more episodes and information from the Pig Edge podcas…

Fiona O' Meara, Commercial Pig Nutritionist with Inform Nutrition, joins Amy Quinn on the latest episode of The Pig Edge to discuss all things pig nutrition, from dry sow fibre levels to the aftermath of zinc oxide removal and finisher phase feeding. For more episodes and information from the Pig Edge podcast go to: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/p…

Here in the Pig Development Department in Teagasc, our team carry out three key services in the areas of Research, Advisory and education which are co-ordinated to assist Irish farmers in maximising productivity and profitability, whilst operating to the highest standards. On the latest Pig Edge podcast, Amy Quinn is joined by Edgar Garcia Manzanil…

On this our 50th episode of the Pig Edge podcast, we reflect on the strengths of our industry and look to the opportunities that lie ahead. Heather Peppard, Nutritionist with Brett Brothers, and Roy Gallie, pig and tillage farmer and Chair of the IFA National Pigs Committee, join Amy Quinn to do just that. For more episodes and information from the…

The Teagasc Outlook 2024 conference took place on the 28th of November where an economic overview and outlook for the various agricultural sectors was presented by a number of leading Teagasc experts. Michael McKeon, Specialised Pig adviser with the Teagasc Pig Development representing the pig sector, reviewed 2023 and look ahead to 2024. So on thi…

The majority of farms out there are operating on a weekly farrowing system but there is another option potentially worth considering: batch farrowing. It’s thought to have many labour saving and time management benefits for some farms and we are seeing it increasingly used. So on this episode of the Pig Edge podcast, Amy Quinn is joined by Tomás Ry…

The Annual Teagasc Pig Farmers’ Conference will be taking place on the 17th and 18th of October, in Hotel Kilmore in Cavan on the 17th and in the Horse and Jockey hotel in Tipperary on the 18th . Head of Pigs Knowledge Transfer, Ciarán Carroll, joins Amy Quinn on the latest Pig Edge podcast to preview the conference and highlight some of the key sp…

Minister Simon Harris recently announced the launch of new farm apprenticeships with these new programmes marking an exciting stepping stone for both farms and farm staff allowing the next generation of farmers access to the education they want and need, whilst still working on farm. These programmes will provide a career pathway for staff already …

Farm Safety Week took place from July 17th to 21st aiming to raise further awareness of farm health and safety, share stories and technology that can improve farm safety and challenge farm safety attitudes, as well as encouraging farmers to look after their physical and mental health. With this in mind we thought it would be a good time to revisit …

In 2016 Teagasc opened the Teagasc Pig Research Facility in Moorepark Co. Cork, a facility which many of you are familiar with. On this episode of the Pig Edge, Amy Quinn us joined by Tomás Ryan & Aisling Holmes who are in charge of the day to day running of the unit. They reflect on some of the changes they have made in the unit over the past numb…

The 2022 Teagasc National Pig Herd Performance Report is hot off the press, showing some changes in our key performance indicators for 2022. On the latest Pig Edge podcast, Specialised Pig Advisor Ger McCutcheon joins Amy Quinn to discuss the report and interpret the figures and trends in more detail. For more episodes and information from the Pig …

The Teagasc Pig Open day is just around the corner, taking place in Teagasc Moorepark Fermoy, Co. Cork at 10am on Tuesday May 9th and in Ballyhaise Agricultural College, Ballyhaise Co. Cavan at 10am on Thursday May 11th. The pig development department will be showcasing the results of the comprehensive research programme undertaken here in Teagasc,…

The Spanish pig sector has sparked a lot of interest here over the past number of years, for a lot of reasons. It’s shown impressively fast growth to become the largest pork producer in Europe. It’s demonstrated remarkable resilience during the recent financial crisis, with only a slight reduction in herd size. Plus there’s the scale of its vertica…

Ger McCutcheon, Specialist Pig Development Officer with Teagasc, joins Ciarán Carroll on the latest episode of the Pig Edge podcast to discuss the environmental sustainability of pig production and the value of pig slurry. For more episodes and information from the Pig Edge podcast go to: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/pigs/the-pig-edge-podcast/ Pr…

With the current situation of energy costs on pig farms, Louise Clarke, Specialist Adviser at Teagasc Ballyhaise, joins Ciarán Carroll on the latest Pig Edge podcast to discuss the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) and other energy cost-saving measures. Louise first explains the financial help available to pig farmers via TBESS and t…

We have made the switch! Top Breed Cats is back, but with no other cat breeds, we have moved to their wild cousins. We have the two most endangered species of wild cats, and we also threw in the most endangered species in the world along with it. Please send us cat stories at: topbreedcats@gmail.com Thanks for listening, and Happy New Year! Sunda T…

2022 has been described as the toughest year in a generation for pig farmers but what does 2023 have in store? Michael McKeon, Teagasc’s specialist pig development officer, joins Ciarán Carroll to look back on the year that was, discussing the main issues and difficulties, as well as highlighting the positive news on the horizon. 2023 will be brigh…

Teagasc Pig Advisor, Emer McCrum, joins Ciarán Carroll on the latest episode of the Pig Edge podcast to discuss some of the main topics and talking points from the 2022 Teagasc National Pig Farmers’ Conference. Producers, farm staff and industry colleagues were welcomed back to an in-person event this year, the first since 2019 due to Covid 19 rest…

Dr. Ruth Hamill, Senior Research Officer at Teagasc Ashtown, joins Ciarán Carroll on the latest Pig Edge podcast to discuss Value Added Pig meat. Traditionally Irish pig meat is seen as a commodity product, with little focus on value added. However, if we look at our exports, while value added pig meat only accounts for 20% of total volume sold, it…

Teagasc Health & Safety Specialist, Francis Bligh, joins Ciarán Carroll on the latest Pig Edge podcast to discuss tips and advice for health and safety on-farm as well as improving indications for the latest trends. Podcast Survey In order to understand the aspects of podcasts which are most appealing and beneficial to you the listener, it would be…

Today we have multiple dogs to celebrate us returning from summer. One of witch Gabby calls Chinese Crusty, the Chinese Crested, Portuguese Water Dog, and the Border Collie. Chinese Crested: https://www.google.com/search?q=chinese+crested+dog&sxsrf=ALiCzsa9xthzuJBNKHilNz-5ynj-D2viHw:1663200679536&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiCmMatwZX6AhU4D…

Today we are talking about two relatively rare cat breeds, the Highlander Lynx and the Chartreux!! Please send us a cat story for the next episode at: topbreedcats@gmail.com Thanks for listening!! Highlander Lynx: https://www.google.com/search?q=highlander+lynx+cat&rlz=1CAJCUZ_enUS971&sxsrf=ALiCzsZSPH_60OUzpZlHErPybVW6gyF9tQ:1662844025238&source=ln…

Bioenergy specialist, Barry Caslin, joins Ciarán Carroll on the latest episode of the Pig Edge podcast to discuss energy-saving technologies that are available for use on pig farms. Podcast Survey In order to understand the aspects of podcasts which are most appealing and beneficial to you the listener, it would be appreciated if you could take 3-4…

We're back! New episodes every week, and it will be great! Today we have rare and super popular breeds of cats, the Sokoke and Exotic Shorthair! Please send us a cat story at: topbreedcats@gmail.com Thanks for listening!! Sokoke: https: //www.google.com/search?q=Sokoke&rlz=1CAJCUZ_enUS971&sxsrf=ALiCzsaXiXVLHCyyr1HkFO7cxxlFoE-OFA:1661718401301&sourc…

Damien Ward, Assistant Principal Meat Policy Division in the Department of Agriculture, joins Ciarán Carroll on the latest Pig Edge podcast to explain the €13 million Pig Exceptional Payment Scheme 2 (PEPS2) which was launched in June. PEPS 2 is a one-off payment scheme for pig farmers administered by the Department of Agriculture. The aim is to su…

Today is our last episode for the summer, and we have a special treat! Gio and Gabby, the hosts of Top Breed Dogs, are helping out with this episode!! Please send us a picture of your idea for a "Cabbit", and a cat story that we will feature in our next episode- in August. We also did famous cats, featuring Grumpy Cat, and Nala, the most followed c…

Today we have our second-to-last episode for this summer. We need our summer break too. We are talking about the "Watchcat" and a naturally developed breed. The Cymric and Aegean Cats!! Please send us a drawing of a "Cabbit"- Cat Rabbit mix, and a cat story, at topbreedcats@gmail.com Thanks for listening!! Cymric: https://www.google.com/search?q=Cy…

Today we are talking about three dog breeds. the French Bulldog, Chow Chow, and Golden Retriever! please send us a dog story at topbreedcats@gmail.com thanks for listening!! French Bulldog: https://www.google.com/search?q=french+bulldog&rlz=1CAJCUZ_enUS971&sxsrf=ALiCzsYpAhC0YigL29q6rQJtl8u_k4BHnQ:1654300064028&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj…

Gerard McCutcheon, Specialist Pig Development Officer at Teagasc joins Ciarán Carroll on the latest Pig Edge podcast to discuss the recently published National Pig Herd Performance Report for 2021. This report is the detailed analysis of the performance of the pig farms that participated in the Teagasc e-Profit Monitor (ePM) recording system in 202…

Today we have done three more dog breeds, the German Shorthaired Pointer, Pug, and King Charles Spaniel! Please send us a dog story at topbreedcats@gmail.com Thanks for listening!! German Shorthaired Pointer: https://www.google.com/search?q=German+Shorthaired+Pointer&rlz=1CAJCUZ_enUS971&sxsrf=ALiCzsYipzM5fW2jhMlL4gkGmvVVRKVGkw:1653519202368&source=…

Today we have three dog breeds, and another host, Quinn. Please send us a dog story of your dog at topbreedcats@gmail.com Please also check out our other podcast, Top Breed Cats while you are in the podcast app. Thank you for listening!! Dalmatian: https://www.google.com/search?q=dalmatian&rlz=1CAJCUZ_enUS971&sxsrf=ALiCzsbeyEnDR1MHKSPS33Rla7z2SbK95…

Today we have the second episode of Top Breed Dogs, yet the longest in Top Breed history!! Sorry if it is a little quiet. We are talking about the Beagle, German Shepherd, Goldendoodle, and Lab today. Ollie and Quinn, the creators of Top Breed Cats and Top Breed Dogs, join this episode today too!! If you have a dog story you want to share, please l…

This is the first episode in Top Breed Dogs. We will talk about the Husky and the Bloodhound. Pictures of the cute pups. Husky: https://www.google.com/searchq=husky&rlz=1CATAVM_enUS989&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&vet=1&fir=TbTvLVRS_NcLHM%252CPoOA5UmKv5JJfM%252C_%253BgTmztupW0jAL6M%252CUebOiWsJqMVdoM%252C_%253Bjq1JaDoL1tsqFM%252CBaFE6GDZ757PDM%252C_%2…

Today we talk about two breeds, both have interesting starts. They are the Savannah and Brazilian Shorthair!! We also started a new thing, Famous Felines, and today's stars are Kefir and Cinder-block! We would love to hear about your cat, and put it in the podcast, if you want to hear your cat on the podcast, tell us about the feline at: topbreedca…

With pig farmers facing into increasingly difficult times – be it financial, personal or professional – the one thing that shouldn’t be neglected is your mental health and well-being. George Graham is a farmer who faced up to his own problems in his life and went on to found Awareness Head to Toe, a voluntary group committed to helping farmers with…

Today we are talking about three breeds, who are all hairless! please welcome the Peterbald, Donskoy, and Ukrainian Levkoy!! A special thanks to Cole, for Co-hosting this episode. Please send us a cat story at topbreedcats@gmail.com. thanks for listening!! Peterbald: https://www.google.com/search?q=peterbald&rlz=1CAJCUZ_enUS971&sxsrf=APq-WBuzXnsAJj…

For the latest episode of the Pig Edge, you’ll hear from a recent webinar on ‘Financial Supports to Weather the Crisis’ that was held by the Pig Development Department on Wednesday, 16th February. Ciarán Carroll was joined by Gerard McCutcheon and Michael McKeon from the Teagasc Pig Development Department, to discuss current costs and cash flows. S…

Today we are talking about the fifth most popular breed registered to the CFA, and a cute mini cat with curled ears, the Ragdoll and Kinkalow!! Please share your cat stories with us to put on the show at topbreedcats@gmail.com Cat Science will hopefully be out in a week or two, but we will keep you updated. Thanks for listening, and don't forget to…

Today we will be talking about a cat with a name from a distant place - even from were it was bred- and the werewolf cat... Please welcome the Havana Brown and Lykoi cat!! If you have a cat story to share, don't hesitate to send it to us at topbreedcats@gmail.com Thank you for listening and don't forget to see what these cats look like down below! …

Sorry, we had technical difficulties, so we are doing part 1 and part 2. We are talking about three cats with Cole. Please send us a cat story at topbreedcats@gmail.com Thank you for listening!! Birman: https://www.google.com/search?q=birman+cat&rlz=1CATAVM_enUS966&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiwvPeMgOr1AhXbIEQIHQixDlAQ_AUoAXoECAIQAw&biw=13…

Sorry, we had technical difficulties, so we are doing part 1 and part 2. We are talking about three cats with Cole. Please send us a cat story at topbreedcats@gmail.com Thank you for listening!! Birman: https://www.google.com/search?q=birman+cat&rlz=1CATAVM_enUS966&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiwvPeMgOr1AhXbIEQIHQixDlAQ_AUoAXoECAIQAw&biw=13…

With fertiliser prices reaching record highs, on this month's episode of the Pig Edge, you'll hear an interview that Catherine Egan from the Beef Edge podcast did recently with Teagasc pig development officer, Gerard McCutcheon, and Teagasc specialist, Mark Plunkett. Gerard and Mark gave their insights into using pig manure as a cheap alternative a…

Today we are talking about two cats who are very pretty and cute, plus rare too. Please welcome the Singapura and Somali cats! We would love to hear about you and your cat and then put it on the show. Please send it to us at topbreedcats@gmail.com thanks for listening!! Singapura: https://www.google.com/search?q=singapura+cat&rlz=1CAJCUZ_enUS971&sx…