Practical PiGISTM recognised for innovation
The practical, novel and efficient nature of the Pig Grading Information System (PiGISTM) has been further recognised in the Republic of Ireland at the recent Irish Times All-Island Innovation Awards.
The PiGIS
TM development team, Mark Hawe (CAFRE), Erica Chisholm and Mark Browne (both AFBI) pictured with the Minister for Science, Technology, Innovation and Natural Resources, Conor Lenihan after receiving their award at the Irish Times All-Island Innovation Awards in association with InterTrade Ireland.
The PiGISTM software was jointly developed by the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) and the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE). It is fully operational in the pig industry in Northern Ireland and allows pig producers to go online and assess the quality of carcases supplied to local slaughter plants. They can also benchmark their carcase quality with “the best or the rest” in the industry. The benefits are evident where the effects of changing slaughter weight, genetics, nutrition or medication policy on carcass quality have been quantified through using PiGISTM. Processors also use the system to compare the carcase quality of their suppliers. As data is uploaded automatically, no results have to be entered manually - a win-win situation!
PiGISTM was shortlisted from over 120 companies to receive their award in the Public Services category of the prestigious Irish Times Awards.
