New structure for Teagasc Pig Development Department
THE Teagasc Pig Development Department has been recently restructured to better face the challenges ahead for the sector over the next 5 years. Teagasc has appointed researcher Edgar Garcia Manzanilla, as Head of the Pig Development Department and Ciaran Carroll as Head of Knowledge Transfer in the same department.
Edgar Garcia Manzanilla qualified as a veterinarian and obtained his PhD in Animal and Food Science at the Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona (UAB), Spain. He went on to receive a professional Masters in veterinary preventive medicine in the University of California, Davis in 2009 and he obtained his Diploma from the European College of Porcine Health Management in 2010. Originally from Barcelona, Edgar started his career as technical director at the Monogastric Animal Nutrition Service (UAB) in 2005. From there, he joined University of California, Davis, as a postdoctoral researcher in pig and poultry nutrition for 3 years. He then returned to Barcelona in 2010 and joined Teagasc in 2014 as a research officer in the Pig Development Department.
Speaking on his appointment, Edgar Garcia Manzanilla said: “The Pig Development Department has made very significant progress in the last 5 years with Ciaran Carroll as head of both Research and Knowledge Transfer and Education. The research programme has doubled, our field research has multiplied and we now have a state-of-the-art pig research facility in Moorepark, Fermoy. In KT and education, we have a wider range of courses for people that seek a career in pig production. We offer more services to farmers and our information dissemination activities include newsletters, a presence in social media, several yearly events and attendance at different international groups. All these activities have already translated into improvements in the performance of the Irish pig sector as shown in the National Pig Herd Report. The evolution to a new structure in the Teagasc Pig Development Department will continue the trajectory of progress and will allow the development of new research areas and new services in a more efficient manner.”
Congratulating Edgar on his appointment, Frank O Mara, Director of Research in Teagasc said: “Teagasc are committed to delivering on the Teagasc Pig Research, Advisory,
Education and Training Programme 2016-2020 Strategy entailing a 6 cent reduction in feed costs per kg dead weight. Through the Joint Programme the Teagasc Pig Development Department will continue to fulfil this objective.”