Agriculture - Pig Production / Management
This training will equip graduates with the knowledge, skills and capability to carry out key pig husbandry activities and manage a pig enterprise.
| Award Name | Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 5 NFQ |
| Award Name | Level 6 Advanced Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) |
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 6 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 5 NFQ |
| Level 6 Advanced Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 6 NFQ |
Duration
2 1/2 years (typically on a part-time basis – contact the college to confirm)
Entry Requirements
There is a separate application process for each programme. Applicants to the Level 5 Certificate must be 17 years old or over on 1st January following entry to the course, and ideally should have completed the senior cycle of second level education. Applicants for the Level 6 programme must have successfully completed the Level 5 Certificate in Agriculture (Pig Production) programme.
Careers / Further progression
Learners who successfully complete the programme can apply to progress to the Teagasc Higher Education Farm Technician (on completion of Level 5) or Farm Manager Apprenticeship (on completion of Level 6). This course may provide entry to other programmes via the higher links education scheme. Contact the relevant institution, or www.cao.ie for more detail.
Employment: Graduates progress into employment or self employment in the industry.
Further information
Student Maintenance Grants
The Teagasc Authority approved the introduction of means testing of maintenance grants for students attending Further Level Courses at Teagasc and Private Agricultural Colleges in 2012.
Means testing will apply to Teagasc Level 5 and Level 6 full-time courses for the academic year 2023/2024.
Teagasc student maintenance grants are paid through Teagasc and the grant scheme is managed by Teagasc. The Teagasc grant scheme will be implemented along the lines of the National Student Grant Scheme 2023 but varies in respect of what 'add backs' are used to determine overall reckonable income.
Please note that applicants cannot apply to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) to be means tested for a Teagasc Student Maintenance Grant.
All queries on Teagasc Student Maintenance Grants should be directed to:
Email: teagascmaintenancegrant@southwestern.ie
Phone: 0818 161 000
Application Process:
The initial application should be made for the Teagasc Level 5 Certificate in Agriculture (Pig Production) Programme. Apply online through the Teagasc public website: www.teagasc.ie/agriculture-courses (or view link above)
Programmes: Level 5 Certificate in Agriculture (Pig Production) & Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture (Pig Management).
Students may also avail of the option to complete the technical modules in Pig Production on a part time basis. They will receive Component Awards for each module which can be used to build up to a full award.
The course is offered at: Ballyhaise Agricultural College or Clonakilty Agricultural College in conjunction with the Teagasc Pig Development Department subject to demand.
What will you study?
Sample content for the Teagasc Level 5 Certificate in Agriculture (Pig Production) Programme:
Code / Title / NFQ Level / Credit Value
5N20368 Principles of Agriculture 5 15
5N20371 Farm Safety and Farm Assurance 5 15
5N20374 Soils and the Environment 5 10
5N20377 Farm Business and Technology 5 10
5N20380 Safe Use of Pesticide Products 5 5
5N20393 Pig Husbandry 5 10
5N20411 Nutrition Housing and Welfare of Pigs 5 10
5N20444 Pig Manure Handling 5 5
5N20457 Pig Industry Structure 5 5
5N1433 Work Practice 5 15
Self Development module 5 15
Electives 5 5
Sample content for the Teagasc Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture (Pig Management) Programme
Code / Title NFQ Level Credit Value
6N20462 Farm Management and Business Planning 6 10
6N20463 Sustainable Farming in the Environment 6 10
6N20464 Sustainable Farm Development (Capstone) 6 15
6N20467 Pig Husbandry Management 6 15
6N20478 Managing Pig Nutrition 6 10
6N20479 Pig Equipment Management 6 10
6N20480 Applied Pig Reproduction 6 10
6N1947 Work Practice 6 15
Personal Development Module * 6 15
*Choice of module will be at the discretion of the college/centre
5M20454 - Agriculture Level 5
6M20486 - Agriculture Advanced Cert Level 6
Qualifications: These programmes are validated by QQI and lead to a Level 5 Certificate in Agriculture Award (5M20454) and a Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture (6M20486)
Clonakilty: 023 883 2500
Ballyhaise: 049 433 8108
web: www.teagasc.ie/education