Farming

This is my archive

Lean is the way to go in Pigs, and not just on the Plate

When you hear “Lean” and “Pigs” in the same sentence, it is natural to automatically think of the best cuts of pork. But in this case, it’s not about taking the fat out of streaky bacon, it’s applying the toolset and principles of Lean Manufacturing in an area where it hasn’t previously had much exposure in Ireland; the Pig Farming Industry. That’s what Leading Edge Group, amongst other companies, has been doing for the past couple of months. As part of a Bord Bia/ Teagasc/ Enterprise Ireland initiative, 30 of Irelands top pig farmers have been participating in a large scale feasibility study looking at the improvement’s that can be made to a farms operations and profitability by applying the well-established Lean Manufacturing tools and principles on Piggeries. As part of the project, consultant Barry O’Brien has worked closely with several clients, one of whom is Pat O’Keeffe of O’Keeffe Piggeries based in Ballylough, Mitchelstown, Cork, Ireland. Read More

How Lean is your Pig Farm?

Leading Edge Group, Senior Consultant, Barry O’Brien, has been taking part in a Bord Biá sponsored project which is investigating the impact of applying Lean principles in  Irish pig farms. Over the course of the next three months, Barry will be applying Lean tools and techniques across several pig farms in order to improve efficiencies, productivity and reduce costs. The projects are adopting the Enterprise Ireland model of Lean Start and Lean Plus programmes and the results will be reviewed and analysed by Bord Biá and Teagasc, the state agency that provides research, advisory and education in agriculture, horticulture, food and rural development in Ireland. Read More

Sustainable Agriculture Award for Donal

We would like to congratulate Donal Sheehan on being honoured for Sustainable Agriculture excellence at the Cork Environmental Forum (CFE) Award ceremony in Cork this week. Donal is a 70 cow herd dairy farmer from Castlelyons, Cork and supplies Glanbia on a 100% spring calving herd. Read More

A Young Farmers Perspective – Do You Agree?

Let’s start with a history of where farming was and how far it has come in the last 50 years. In the 60’s the majority of cows were being milked in tie up barns and milk was being delivered to the creamery each day by the farmer himself. Farming at the time was a hard, labour-intensive business. Machinery was limited and as a consequence not a lot of ground could be covered in a day. Read More

Survey – How Lean is your Farm?

Are you a dairy farmer? If so, we would like to hear from you and invite you to take our short "How Lean is your Farm" survey. This survey which will measure how Lean your dairy farm is and your thoughts and responses will better serve you and the farming community in the future. It should take approximately 3 - 4 minutes to complete. Read More

National Ploughing Championships Day 2

We had an excellent time at the National Ploughing Championships yesterday. Such a great turnout! We are very excited for day 2 here at the Bank of Ireland marquee in the centre of the site – Block 2 Row 11 Stand 262.  Read More