Pig farmer earnings in Ireland vary significantly by role, with general farm workers potentially earning €28k-€40k annually, while more experienced farm managers or specialists can see €39k-€52k or more, depending on the farm's scale, responsibilities, and recent market conditions, with some recent postings showing €34k for experienced workers plus accommodation, or higher rates for specialized roles.
- Salary ranging from €32.000 – €45.000 per Year.
Is Pig Farming Profitable? Yes, pig farming is profitable if well-planned and properly managed. The profitability depends on factors such as breed selection, feed efficiency, market demand, and disease management.
As the 2025 National Ploughing Championships kick off in Tullamore today, Irish farmers are set for their most profitable year in decades with average farm incomes forecast to surge 39% to €48,500 in 2025. This comes as global food shortages drive commodity prices to record highs, says Lowry.
JMW is Ireland's biggest pig producer with about 300,000 animals, selling 7,000 a week (5,000 in Ireland and the balance in the UK).
However, the richest from the agri-business sector is Lady Ballyedmond and family, who are behind the Northern-Ireland based Norbrook pharmaceutical company, which produces a number of animal health products.
The 3-3-3 rule for pigs is a simple way to remember a sow's (female pig's) gestation period: 3 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days, which equals approximately 114 days, marking the average time from breeding to farrowing (giving birth). It's a helpful guideline for farmers, though the exact time can vary a few days earlier or later.
If you are farming as an individual, you have to pay income tax on your profits. If you are farming through a company, you have to pay Corporation Tax (CT) on your profits. You must pay and file your income or corporation tax return each year before the deadline using the Revenue Online Service (ROS).
What's a good salary in Ireland? A 'good' salary in Ireland generally ranges from €50,000 to €70,000 per year.
Qin Yinglin (Chinese: 秦英林; pinyin: Qín Yīnglín, born 1965) is a Chinese agriculture tycoon, billionaire, Communist Party member, and the world's richest farmer. He is the Chair and president of the pig farming company Muyuan Foodstuff and is one of the richest people in China. According to Bloomberg Billionaires Index, ...
The environmental impact of pig farming is mainly driven by the spread of feces and waste to surrounding neighborhoods, polluting air and water with toxic waste particles. Waste from pig farms can carry pathogens, bacteria (often antibiotic resistant), and heavy metals that can be toxic when ingested.
The national average value of good quality land was €13,178/ac, up 7% from €12,308/ac in 2023, with national average poor-quality land reported at €6,636/ac – up 6% from €6,286/ac.
High Return on Investment (ROI): One of the most significant advantages of pig farming is its short gestation period. Sows can farrow (give birth) twice a year, with litters ranging from 10 to 15 piglets. This rapid reproduction cycle translates to quicker returns on investment compared to other livestock options.
The red line shows the average weight for a growing pig during the same period. At 10 weeks he will be about 30kg and at 18 weeks around 80kg.
There is a limit to how far back you can claim tax refunds under Pay As You Earn (PAYE) and Self-assessment. The limit is four years, meaning you can only request reviews or claim refunds for the last four years. For example, claims for 2021 must be made by 31 December 2025.
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In Ireland, the higher tax bracket kicks in for individuals earning above €42,000. Income above this threshold is taxed at the higher rate of 40%. This is subject to change depending on your personal circumstances.
For most people, a household salary of €100,000 would put a family in the category of “rich”. And if you earned that last year, you were among the top 6.6pc of employees, Revenue figures show. The average gross pay for a PAYE worker nationwide was €42,100 in 2024, while the Dublin average was €49,500.
In Ireland, it is only the top 10 per cent who earn €102,000 or more annually, according to Central Statistics Office figures from the end of 2024. Average earnings in Ireland are €50,000. About 1 per cent earn €290,000 or more.
The three highest-paid roles are professor, doctor and chief financial officer (CFO), with average salaries of €129,976, €119,139 and €94,492 per year respectively. As well as high pay, many of these positions offer flexible work options such as freelancing, contracting and remote work.
Pigs generally will gain approximately 1.5-1.7 pounds a day during the grower phase, up to about 110 pounds of body weight, and then daily gain should increase to approximately 1.8-2.2 pounds per day as the pig increases in size during the finishing phase.
One of the big advantages of farming pigs is their ability to reproduce. Sows can produce over two litters per year with in excess of 20 piglets weaned.
Savaging is most common in gilts with their first litters and is often associated with nervousness or apprehension in the gilt before farrowing. It may occur in some families or breeds and may be associated with fear of the new farrowing environment, especially when the animals have been loose housed prior to crating.