This vital concern will be addressed at three Teagasc pig conferences from Monday 22 October to Wednesday, 24 October.

Taking place in Cavan, Kilkenny and Fermoy, the eleven presentations at each of these upcoming conferences aims to assist pig farmers through this difficult production period.

Having a month-by-month cash flow, based on performance and financial records, is essential if you are to discuss your likely financial position over the next year with your lender. Even before this year's rises our feed prices are significantly higher than those in France, Denmark and the Netherlands. Feed use in each stage of the life of the pig and how to use feed more economically will be also examined at the conferences.

Guest speakers this year are Dr John Patience from the Prairie Swine Centre, Saskatoon, Canada whose main presentation will examine how producers can cope with high feed prices; Mark Hawe and Liz Donnelly, Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, will explain how Northern Ireland producers are using analysis of slaughter plant returns to increase the sale price of their pigs.

Teagasc speakers include Seamus Clarke, Michael Martin, Ger McCutcheon, Peadar Lawlor and Michael McKeon. Other presentations include caring for the sick pig (Ciaran Carroll), use of high fibre diets for sows (Laura Boyle) and protein feeding of pigs (Brendan Lynch and Karen O'Connell).

The conferences take place in the Kilmore Hotel, Cavan (Monday, 22 October), Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny (Tuesday, 23 October) and Teagasc Moorepark (Wednesday, 24 October. All conferences run from 2.15pm to 6.30pm each day.