Piglet mortality seems inevitable in pig farming, as on most commercial farms the litter size by far exceeds sows’ natural capacity to wean. In order to better deal with this situation, a deeper understanding of mortality causes can help making the appropriate decisions, writes welfare expert Dr Irene Camerlink.

Consumers are generally skeptical of gene editing or any alteration of food. As the development of gene-edited pigs gains appeal from pork producers, industry experts say the future of this technology depends on pork's transparency with consumers.

Adequate colostrum intake after birth helps promote piglet survival. As litter sizes have increased in recent years, the demand for colostrum proportionately increases to achieve this desired level of intake. The recommended intake is at least 250 grams.

Correct measurement of temperature and humidity are most crucial to create the optimum climate in the livestock house.

When it comes to piglet “procedures”, the most common subjects are tail docking and castration, but there are not as many discussions on teeth reduction in piglets. Resecting teeth routinely is also a practice that has been forbidden in the European Union since 2008. How can producers be helped to stop doing teeth reduction?

The LPV system is a classic negative pressure system used for ventilation of pig production facilities. The system is intended for temperate regions of the world, and it can be adapted to most livestock buildings.

Comparing of three ventilation systems

Dr. Megan Niederwerder, associate director of the Swine Health Information Center in Iowa received a 4-year grant from the US federal government to study the susceptibility of soybean feed ingredients to contamination by the ASF virus.

In the framework of the current antibiotic-free, low-zinc farming system, having a healthy gut is important. Studies from China have shown that using mannan-rich fractions combined with organic acid/zinc proteinate can reduce incidence of diarrhoea, promote growth and improve gut health in piglets.

Swine farming is a fundamental source of environmental antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) worldwide. Understanding the pathways of ARG propagation into the environment is critical to develop strategies to mitigate environmental and public health impacts of antibiotic resistance.

Tail biting in pigs is a serious welfare issue with significant economic impact to the producer. Systematic tail docking of all pigs prior to the start of tail biting behaviour is a common production practice in US swine farms to mitigate future welfare and economic consequences of tail biting at the finishing stage. But is the link between health and tail docking so straightforward, asks pig health and welfare expert Dr Monique Pairis-Garcia.

The DOL 634 is a series of controllers for climate control in pig production. The controllers are designed on a modular basis, which means that they can easily be adapted to the individual needs of the grower.

The rapid spread of the African swine fever virus (ASFV), causing severe disease with often high fatality rates in pigs, prevails as a threat for pig populations and dependent industries worldwide. Although advancing scientific progress continually enhances the industry's understanding of ASFV pathogenesis, alternative transmission routes for ASFV have yet to be assessed. A recent study demonstrated that ASFV can efficiently be transferred from infected boars to naïve recipient gilts through artificial insemination (AI). 

After feed, energy is one of the main cost items for pork producers. However, in Ukraine, in addition to the significant cost of energy, the problem of unstable electricity supply is now relevant. Therefore, it is important to think about optimizing the microclimate in the production facility to reduce dependence on electricity and ensure proper conditions for pigs during the blight period. For key steps to improve energy efficiency, see the article.

Trucks used to move not only animals, farm workers and feed can be carriers for disease spread.

The equal pressure system is a ventilation system used for pig production buildings. The system is designed for regions with moderate climates and can be adapted for most livestock facilities.

Studies show that improving pig welfare using proper management and housing strategies will reduce antibiotic use.

The incoming air in the house is one of the most critical factors for the animals' well-being because it directly influences the air velocity, air temperature, air quality, and air humidity.

Pigs are sensitive to high temperatures. If the premises where animals are kept are poorly ventilated in summer, it will have a negative impact on the health and production performance of pigs. Thus, usually in fattening animals there is a deterioration in feed intake and, accordingly, average daily weight gain. In sows, milk production decreases, weight loss is significant, and the health of piglets in growing deteriorates.

An optimal environment for the animals is one of the main factors in pork production. It is important that all the components of the microclimate system (ventilation, heating, cooling, control system) are designed and selected to provide the necessary conditions while consuming a minimum of energy resources.