Pig Business Development Groups using virtual tours to discuss unit management

Effective bio-security is not a luxury but an essential for pig producers, as the introduction of a new disease can have a devastating effect on both performance and profit. Although good bio-security prohibits producers visiting each other’s units, it does not prevent the transfer of knowledge, skills and experience through the Business Development Group programme (BDG).

Tyrone Pig Business development Group member Zaine Kerr discusses farrowing house management with his fellow group members.

With the help of their adviser, some members have hosted a “virtual tour” of their pig unit using a slide presentation. This has proved to be very effective, allowing the group to discuss issues around housing, equipment and management in detail, with the corresponding effects on physical and financial output used to justify choices. Rather than the group being the “jury” and the host farmer the “accused”, the meetings have encouraged friendly yet probing discussion. Feedback and suggestions prove that the thinking does not stop when the meeting ends.

BDGs have allowed pig producers to introduce new ideas onto their units without introducing new diseases!

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