Project leaders: Elizabeth Ball, Dr Elizabeth Magowan & Professor Seamus Kennedy
Details of project
Compared with European pig production, the cost and profit margins attained within the NI pig industry are lower. In part, this is due to the fact that transportation costs of imports and exports are more expensive. However, it is speculated that within NI the profit margins presently achieved by pig producers could be increased.
In addition, although the majority of producers do not achieve maximum profit margins, there are several pig producers in Northern Ireland that are presently achieving excellent growth rates and hence maximum profits from their pig herd. The initial study therefore aims to establish what pig herd management factors are commonly related to maximum profit margins.
Pig producers in NI and Great Britian are constantly being encouraged, to adopt current management practices which are in place in Europe.
Recently the crude protein content of pig diets in mainland Europe has been restricted to below 18%. At present, Northern Ireland producers have achieved a compromise and although the crude protein level has been reduced it is still viable to attain maximum production at the new levels suggested. However, due to increased environmental concerns, it is inevitable that in the future, NI will be required to reduce the crude protein levels of pig diets even further.
Journal Articles
Ball, M. E. E. , Magowan, E. , McCracken, K. J. , Beattie, V. E. , Bradford, R., Robinson, M. J., Smyth, S. , Henry, W. (2013). The effect of level of crude protein and available lysine on finishing pig performance, nitrogen balance and nutrient digestibility. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences, 26(4):564-572
Cottney, P. , Magowan, E. , Ball, M. E. E. , Gordon, A. (2012). Effect of oestrus number of nulliparous sows at first service on first litter and lifetime performance. Livestock Science, 146:5-12
Magowan, E. , Ball, M. E. E. , McCracken, K. J. , Beattie, V. E. , Bradford, R., Robinson, M. J. , Gordon, F. J. , Scott, M. , Mayne, C. S. (2010). Effect of dietary regime and group structure on pig performance and the variation in weight and growth rate from weaning to 20 weeks of age. Livestock Science, 136:216-224
Magowan, E. , Ball, M. E. E. , Beattie, V. E. , McCracken, K. J. , Bradford, R. , Scott, M. (2010). The performance response of pigs of different wean weights to high or low input dietary regimes between weaning and 20 weeks of age. Livestock Science, 136:232-239
Knowledge Transfer
Magowan, E. , Ball, M. E. E. (2011). Local science delivers some good news for pig farmers. Farming life and others in June 2010
Magowan, E. (2011). Local science delivers some good news for pig farmers. Farm Week, June 23, 2011
Magowan, E. (2011). Presentation on recent research. Presentation to Mark Wilson (Vion)
Magowan, E. (2011). Presentation on recent research. Presentation to Meryl Ward (BPEX)
Magowan, E. (2010). Feeding the post weaned pig (September 2010). Farming life etc
Magowan, E. (2010). Understanding variation between pigs (August 2010). Popular press to Farming life etc
Magowan, E. (2010). Review of peer reviewed publications comparing ammonia emissions from deep and shallow pits under fully slatted floors in pig housing. Review of the literature regards ammonia emmisions from fully slatted housing as requested by IPPC pig producers in NI
Ball, M. E. E. (2010). A new feed ingredient for pigs?. Local Farming Press, February 2010
McCann, M.E.E. , Magowan, E. (2009). The use of glycerol in diets for finishing pigs. Northern Ireland Pig Event, September 2009
McCann, M.E.E. (2009). Predicting the performance of pigs offered standard commercial diets. Northern Ireland Pig Event, September 2009
McCann, M.E.E. (2009). Improving feed intake in post-weaned pigs. Northern Ireland Pig Event, September 2009
McCann, M.E.E. (2009). Feeding pigs for optimal performance. Northern Ireland Pig Event, September 2009
McCann, M.E.E. , Magowan, E. (2009). New lower values for nitrogen excretion from pigs. Northern Ireland Pig Event, September 2009
McCann, M.E.E. , Magowan, E. (2009). The proceedings of the Northern Ireland Pig Event. Northern Ireland Pig Event, 16 September 2009
Magowan, E. (2009). Reducing the variation between pigs. Article in the proceedings of the Northern Ireland Pig Event 2009
Magowan, E. (2009). Deep intrauterine insemination. article in the proceeding of the Northern Ireland Pig Event 2009
Magowan, E. , McCann, M.E.E. (2009). Report on Northern Ireland Pig Event. Farming Life, September 2009
McCann, M.E.E. (2009). The use of lupins in pig diets. Joint AFBI/CAFRE Pig Bulletin
Ball, M. E. E. (2009). Nitrogen excretion from pig production - your pigs excrete less than you think. Joint AFBI/CAFRE Pig Bulletin
McCann, M.E.E. (2008). New research at AFBI Hillsborough. Joint AFBI/CAFRE Pig Newsletter, September 2008
Magowan, E. , McCann, M.E.E. (2007). Pig research - an integrated approach at AFBI, Hillsborough. Press release to all pig on the pig seminar held in Nov 2007
McCann, M.E.E. , Magowan, E. (2007). New research at AFBI Hillsborough. Joint AFBI/CAFRE Pig Newsletter, March 2007
Reports
Magowan, E. , Ball, M. E. E. (2010). Effect of Leuvcell SB on the performance, gut histology and faecal microbiology of post weaned pigs. Technical Report to funder - Lallemand SAS.
McCann, M.E.E. (2008). AFBI Pig Research, Hillsborough. Presentation to BPEX Representatives.
McCann, M.E.E. (2008). Presentation to Paul Toplis (Priemer Nutrition) AFBI Pig Research, Hillsborough. Presentation to Paul Toplis (Priemer Nutrition), AFBI Pig Research, Hillsborough.
McCann, M.E.E. (2008). Presentation to SAC Scientists, AFBI Pig Research, Hillsborough. Presentation to SAC Scientists, AFBI Pig Research, Hillsborough.
McCann, M.E.E. (2008). Presentation to Jeffrey Donaldson, MLA, AFBI Pig Research, Hillsborough. Presentation to Jeffrey Donaldson, MLA, AFBI Pig Research Hillsborough.
McCann, M.E.E. (2008). Presentation to Jim Nicholson, MEP, AFBI Pig Research, Hillsborough. Presentation to Jim Nicholson, MEP, AFBI Pig Research, Hillsborough.
Magowan, E. , McCann, M.E.E. , Beattie, V. E. , McCracken, K. J. , Henry, W. , Smyth, S. , Bradford, R. , Robinson, M. J. , Gordon, F. J. , Mayne, C. S. (2007). Variable growth - How big a problem is it?. Pig Research - An Integrated Approach. Proceedings of a seminar held at AFBI Hillsborough, 8th November 2007.