Pigs, Polish and Profit

Like many businesses in Northern Ireland, the pig industry relies on migrant workers as an important part of the labour force.  Many units employ workers from European countries including Poland, Lithuania and Latvia as well as those from outside the EU such as Brazil.  

All workers on pig units should receive training to help ensure the unit performs to its maximum level.  Foreign nationals often have little or no experience working with pigs.  However the “language barrier” can make it difficult to fully explain aspects of sow and pig management to migrant workers.

A recent training seminar was organised for Polish workers employed on local units.  The course was developed by Pig Technologists, CAFRE and was delivered by Sylwia Figat, a Polish national.  Sylwia came to Ireland from Poland some years ago and is currently carrying out pig research at the University College, Dublin.  She is very familiar with pig management on farms in Ireland and was well placed to deliver the course.  Delivery in Polish allowed those attending to easily understand the subject.

The seminar covered most aspects of sow production including gilt management, service and insemination as well as farrowing house routines.  Management of the newly weaned and growing pig up to slaughter was also discussed.

The employees attending the course actively participated with questions and comments from their own experiences on Northern Ireland farms.  Feedback from employers was also very positive and they felt that the course was beneficial for their workers and a valuable use of their time.

Based on the success of this course, we would like to hold similar seminars for other migrant workers working on pig farms in Northern Ireland.  If you have a migrant worker who would benefit from a general pig course, please contact Mark Hawe at Greenmount Campus Tel 028944 26768.

Pictured at the Pig seminar for Polish workers is Mark Hawe (CAFRE) with Sylwia Figat, who delivered the course in Polish.  Also included is Dahmara Kulis, Jaroslan Nojtaszak and Adam Czyzniewski who are working on pig farms in Northern Ireland and found the course very useful.