The Irish Pig Society is returning to the Ploughing this year. It aims to promote and support new and existing pig enterprises and offer their knowledge and experience to assist members or people who are intrigued by the pig industry.

At this year’s Ploughing, the Irish Pig Society is hoping to display four or five rare breeds of pigs that are in Ireland to inform members of the public about them. They are hoping to showcase weaners and three-week-old bonhams with a sow.

Information

Over the course of the three days, the society is hoping to get new members to join. It will outline the procedure for obtaining a pig herd number, and provide an information hub whereby people can ask questions to the staff.

The society will showcase the latest in genetics along with raising awareness of pedigree pigs and show pedigree pigs, as well as what is involved with them.

The chair of the Irish Pig Society, Dermot Allen, told the Irish Farmers Journal that each day at the event there will be people who have a lot of experience in the pig industry who are happy to answer questions and offer their skills and expertise.

“We will discuss issues that pig farmers are facing such as rising feed costs and ways to overcome these challenges. There are over 120 members in the society at present, three of which are organic, so we will discuss the implications of both.

“The group offers people the chance to network and learn tips and tricks from others involved in the industry,” he said.