FBD has announced the launch of the FBD Pig Farming Awards 2026 and a €10,000 Innovation Bursary.

The insurer said that the award and bursary reinforce its "commitment to supporting excellence, innovation and leadership within Ireland's pig industry". 

The awards programme has been established to recognise outstanding achievements across pig production, animal welfare, environmental sustainability and industry leadership.

Meanwhile, the bursary will support an "individual capable of delivering meaningful and practical benefits to the sector through research, innovation and knowledge transfer”. 

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at the Killashee Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare, on October 14, 2026. 

Commenting on the launch, Michael Berkery, chair of FBD Trust, said: "I have always admired the competitiveness and resilience of the Irish pig industry, and I am delighted to announce these awards.

“While acknowledging current achievements, FBD is also investing in the future through a €10,000 Innovation Bursary available to farmers, researchers, advisors, veterinarians and industry service professionals." 

Awards

The FBD Pig Farming Awards aim to highlight the individuals and businesses setting standards for excellence within a highly competitive industry, while encouraging the continuous improvement needed to ensure the sector's long-term sustainability. 

Four awards will be presented as part of the programme: 

Herd Productivity Award - awarded to producers achieving outstanding productivity performance and efficiency;  
Animal Health and Welfare Award - recognising best practice in herd health, animal welfare and biosecurity;  
Pig Unit Environmental Sustainability Award - recognising excellence in environmental standards, resource efficiency, and long-term sustainability; 
Pig Farmer of the Year 2026 - the flagship award recognising overall excellence across performance, management, innovation and leadership. 

All entries will be assessed by an independent judging panel comprising industry and technical experts. 

€10,000 Innovation Bursary 

Alongside the awards programme, the Innovation Bursary is designed to encourage: 

Innovation and new thinking; 
Applied research and development; 
Knowledge transfer and industry advancement. 

The bursary is open to individuals working in or contributing to the Irish pig industry, including: 

Pig farmers and managers; 
Veterinarians; 
Researchers and academics; 
Industry professionals involved in nutrition, genetics and animal health. 

Selected candidates will be invited to submit a proposal outlining how they would use the funding to deliver measurable impact within the sector. 

The successful bursary recipient will be required to report on the outcomes of their project within nine months. 

Entries for the FBD Pig Farming Awards and applications for the Innovation Bursary open on June 10, 2026 and will close on September 18, 2026.