Periodic Reporting for period 3 - Eu PiG (EU Pig Innovation Group)
Berichtszeitraum: 2019-11-01 bis 2020-10-31
The project adopts the interactive model of the European Innovation Partnership (EIP), putting farmers at the centre of practice-based innovation, adapting and developing new and existing scientific knowledge to produce implementable solutions, which can then be shared across the network. In EU regions, multi actor ‘RPiGs’ (Regional Pig Innovation Groups) come together to target specific challenges for the pig industry. EU PiG partners have been active to stimulate the establishment of these ‘multi-actor’ groups, and the network will link these cross-border, so that innovations identified in one country/region, can be shared with another. The project aimed to establish 32 (8 per year) of the most innovating pig farmers across Europe to demonstrate best practice, and push boundaries in the application of new knowledge. These innovative farmers are to be decided through a Grand Prix of innovation, with winners decided by the RPiGs.
Specific objectives are, to:
- Map and consolidate existing knowledge from producers, advisers and the EU research base on four specific themes (health management, precision production, welfare and meat quality)
- Stimulate dialogue and knowledge exchange between ‘actors’ in the industry including producers, producer groups, innovation support organisations, levy/development boards and researchers to enhance farm-driven innovation
- Close the gap between research and commercial pig production by facilitating the application of science led innovations into practice
- Facilitate user driven knowledge exchange by identifying and sharing best practice within the industry (both nationally and internationally)
- Develop and disseminate end user material to demonstrate best practice and affect behaviour change by EU pig producers
- Encourage the sustainable integration of science and practice through innovation by enhancing dialogue between the scientific and farming/advisory communities
Solutions to challenges identified and available for producers to implement with methods, cost benefits and contacts (all in local languages) include:
Health solutions such as: Biosecurity Tools, methods for optimising antibiotics to zero level, how slaughter data can improve health and profitability. Solutions have been used to respond to policy change e.g. removal of zinc oxide, improving gut health and fermentation as alternatives to zinc. Under policy boar taint and castration along with rearing with intact tails have also been identified with best practice case studies available. Other every day challenges such as how to deliver clean and accessible water, methods for Systematic routine weighing are described that have proven benefits or return on investment. A key focus of challenges has been engaging with the consumer looking at innovations in the supply chain (Meat Quality) e.g. Heart pig branding, feeding olive oil to pigs, social media to engage the consumer and support for niche breeds. Increasingly due to both policy and consumer demands the environment has been a key focus of challenges and ambassadors, with reduction of emissions, improving of the farm atmosphere, more sustainable feeds and methods of auditing sustainability have identified solutions with best practice case studies available.
There has been a maturing of the EUPiG entries, showing its value to the industry as a test bed for solutions that allow production to become more efficient, underpinned by detailed cost benefit analysis available as part of the EUPiG resources. The increase in efficiency (Profit) is captured in all challenge solutions especially those that effect consumers (people) and the environment (planet).
EUPiG at closure had completed an analysis of the 830 examples of best practice against the RESET model of behaviour change. The data suggests that EUPiG attracted entries from largely innovators who have a bias towards technology to solve challenges. It did however, show that farmers/producers are adaptable and can utilise multiple strategies to find solutions to challenges including engaging socially with peers and consumers.