Teagasc is currently seeking tenders for the refit of the existing farrowing house at its Moorepark facility in Co. Cork

The Pig Development Unit is to be upgraded during a designated three-week installation window in October 2025 to align with herd cycles.

The refit will involve the removal of the current pen layout, the supply and installation of new specialist farrowing equipment, and associated construction works.

Teagasc stressed that all works will have to be coordinated to ensure the project is delivered within the designated period as no extension can be granted.

According to Teagasc, the aim of the project is to:

Achieve compliance with new and emerging animal welfare regulations regarding sow and piglet housing;
Facilitate high quality student education and practical training in modern pig production systems;
Enable research on innovative farrowing accommodation and management practices.

The successful tenderer will remove the 28 existing conventional farrowing pens and central partitions to unify rooms, make the existing ceiling good and modify underground tank supports to suit new pen layout.

24 new free-farrowing pens will then be installed in accordance with current animal welfare and infrastructure standards.

Each of the new pens shall be a minimum of 6.5m² with at least 66% of the area (4.3m²) being free space for the sow in loose configuration.

The piglet nest area will be fully enclosed on all four sides and fitted heated creep pads that are compliant with Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS 3).

The flooring will be a combination of plastic and cast iron/concrete slats, meeting TAMS 3 drainage standards.

According to the tender documents, the supplier must ensure all equipment is factory-tested prior to shipment.

After installation, each farrowing pen, heating system, feed and water line must be tested for correct operation, alignment, temperature control (creep pads), and leak-free function.

All equipment shall be commissioned in the presence of Teagasc staff and final commissioning checklists must be signed off by Teagasc.

The successful supplier must also provide on-site training for a minimum of one day, included in the tender price, for Teagasc operational and research staff at the time of commissioning.

The closing date for the submission of tenders is 2:00p.m on July 2, 2025.