Behavioral patterns leading to tail biting
Three different motivational drivers have been identified, each corresponding to a specific behavioral pattern: two-phase, sudden-forceful, and obsessive.
Three different motivational drivers have been identified, each corresponding to a specific behavioral pattern: two-phase, sudden-forceful, and obsessive.
This year's edition of the Swine Conference in honor of Dr. Allen D. Leman was a special 50th Anniversary event and took place September 21-24 at the Saint Paul RiverCentre Convention Center in Minnesota, USA.
Gene editing represents a significant technological advancement that we must thoroughly understand due to its potential impact on the swine industry. Will there be animals resistant to viral diseases?
Animals tell us how they feel, but do we understand what they are telling us?
A better understanding of the modulatory effects of functional amino acids and polyphenols may support nutritionists in formulating more adapted diets and contribute to the development of nutritional strategies to improve animal performance, well-being, and health.
For several reasons, Poland has not managed to control ASF in wild boars and pigs. What measures has this country implemented during these 10 years and why were they insufficient?
Spain has had three consecutive months of declines, which have resulted in a 14% decrease. Despite this, Spain continues to lead pig prices in the EU. The question is how far these decreases will continue.
Breaking the chain of infection from humans to pigs and from pigs to humans.
Data sheet with the nutritional value (table comparison) and most recent studies about corn distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS).
Moving away from weekly batch management improved Time to stability, Time to baseline production and Total Piglet losses per 1,000 sows after a PRRS outbreak.
Why induce puberty? If I do choose to induce puberty, what do I need to do, and when?
In the fourth installment of the manual, we address examining the thoracic cavity organs.
We are launching a series of articles that will delve into a new practice that has already been implemented on several farms in Spain and is being adopted by others: 5-week batches.
The constant search for solutions to challenges in management, health, reproduction, nutrition, and feeding—and their interactions—should be a technical principle if we aim to maximize the genetic potential of our farms.
In this third installment, Antonio Palomo summarizes the papers presented on reproduction, nutrition, precision livestock farming, and other aspects of swine production.
This farmer made a movable metal barrier that leans against the wall when not in use so it doesn't get in the way.
September is ending, leaving behind a trail of staggered decreases in the pig price in Spain. This is nothing new; many years tend to be like this.
On December 30, 2024, soybeans will be added to the products covered by the new European regulation against deforestation, creating uncertainty in commodity trade.
Transporting semen doses from boar studs to farms is a step that requires careful consideration due to factors such as temperature fluctuations and vibrations which can affect the quality of the doses.
The overall risk of a PRRS outbreak is 12 times higher during the first 15 days after pumping manure than the rest of the year.
A good start in post-weaning feed intake and including creep feed and palatable diets is crucial to optimize piglet health and performance.
This article describes the main characteristics of commercial vaccines for combatting porcine parvovirus.
This concept lies between conventional and organic swine production and focuses on sustainability, animal welfare, and economic efficiency.
We interviewed Anders Christian Sørensen to talk about the DanBred's genetic selection objectives.
A review of vaccine administration routes, administration methods according to the type of animal, and how to manage vaccination supplies.
This article demonstrates the effects of drinking water temperature and feeding management in sows to optimize performance in farrowing and lactation.
We have embarked on the path of decreases in the price of pigs. The drop in the price of pork is causing and will cause this sharp decline.
How do ambient temperatures below thermoneutrality affect pig performance and environmental efficiency?
In this second installment, Antonio Palomo summarizes the papers and posters on health, immunology, and vaccines presented at the latest edition of the IPVS and ESPHM-ECPHM in Leipzig.
Data sheet with the nutritional value (table comparison) and most recent studies about sugar beet pulp.
In this first installment, Antonio Palomo summarizes the presentations and posters from the latest edition of IPVS and ESPHM-ECPHM.
This tip involves using an aluminum panel to close the aisles during heat checking.
Consumption is falling except in Germany and Italy. This trend is explained by food insecurity and ready-to-eat products.
In this series of articles, we discuss the main concepts of safety and preventive measures to ensure the safety and quality of swine feed.
Antonio Palomo summarizes the presentations from the latest AASV, ranging from the future of the veterinary profession to the eradication of diseases, hog prices, and experiences in improving pig survival.
How to adapt a normal pen to the specific needs of weaned piglets.
We interviewed Jesús Etxart to talk about the latest management recommendations for DanBred sows.
The Spanish pig price has remained unchanged for weeks, but the apparent tranquility of the market is only superficial...
it is vitally important to be aware of the difficulties that this process can entail. Consequently, considerations must be made to ensure a good outcome.
Farmer profiling to understand their objections or willingness towards PRRS elimination using the ADKAR change management model.
The trends of the swine industry in China should be explained in two parts: pork consumption and pig production.
Pig333 interviewed Prof. Pulina of the University of Sassari who has been involved in eradicating African swine fever in Sardinia. ASF arrived on the island in 1978 through contaminated pork products. After many years of struggle, the virus has now been eradicated.
Antonio Palomo summarizes the presentations on nutrition given at the latest edition of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV).
Fly control should not be limited to the summer months, as it plays a significant role in disease transmission and the well-being of people and animals.
We surveyed our readers to find out why they believe these changes are taking place and why integrator companies and meat groups are buying farms.
All livestock sectors are seeking to reduce imports of raw protein materials. Insect meals belong to the category of concentrated protein sources, but their nutritional characteristics are poorly documented and attempts to incorporate them into swine feed have been the subject of few publications.
Data sheet with the nutritional value and the most recent studies on lysine supplementation.
With a seemingly firm pig price and a rather depressed pork market, we get the feeling July will be complicated.
This is the result of a public-private partnership aimed at mitigating the risk of exotic, emergency, and diseases controlled by the official vet services entering Brazil to protect the national swine herd.
In this second article, Antonio Palomo summarizes the presentations on vaccines and biosecurity given at AASV 2024.
This article describes the main characteristics of commercial vaccines to combat swine circovirosis.
The consequences of suspending castration on the rate of destructured hams are poorly understood. An IFIP study shows the frequency of this defect is around 19%.
One percentage of affected lung volume was associated with a 0.24% reduction in lean meat content.
Can autogenous vaccines help us control streptococcal infections? What should we take into account?
Climate changes have forced governments around the world to enforce legislation to reduce the carbon footprint from all parts of society including pig production.
Controlled crude protein reduction and use of essential amino acids can improve feed efficiency, decrease water consumption, and reduce nitrogen excretion.
Do's and don'ts of vaccine storage regarding location, temperature control, maintenance, and traceability.
The slaughterhouse suspected animal welfare issues as a high number of healed broken ribs were found during the meat inspection of a batch of pigs.
Burset forecasts a slight rise in Spain's pig price in the short term due to delayed growth that occurs every summer.
This simple trick blocks pigs from going between the inside and outside pens, making them easier to handle.
In the first two installments, we covered necropsy in lateral decubitus. In this third installment, we will look at necropsy in the supine position
Basic principles of amino acids and the concept of ideal protein in swine nutrition.
We delve into why Poland's pig inventory has been decreasing and explore if there is any chance of rebuilding the herd.
Development of pig production towards large integrators and the spread of highly lethal diseases, such as ASF, have led to increased focus on biosecurity and methods to protect the assets associated with large pig units.
To ensure vaccines work properly, we must carefully control certain critical points in their handling.
From their respective academic and on-farm perspectives, Josep Gasa and Josep Casanovas comment on a recent study about the effect of postweaning feed intake.
Antonio Palomo summarizes the presentations on swine health from the recent edition of the AASV that took place in Nashville (Tennessee).
It is a matter of considering animal welfare, workplace ergonomics, respect for the environment, and societal expectations.
Although initially the focus was on the gastric ulcers, after the first visits, more importance was given to liver damage and poisoning was suspected.
The survey by Pig333 reveals promising perspectives but ample room for improvement in biosecurity.
The Spanish hog price has stayed the same for five consecutive market sessions. The month of May will likely define the heights that our price can reach.
How do turbinate atrophy and the effect on cilia caused by B. bronchiseptica affect the incidence of S. suis and porcine respiratory disease complex?
Scheduling certain tasks, monitoring spare parts stock, checking electrical elements - what does proper maintenance management consist of?
To reduce mortality, it is essential to diagnose the causes. To do so, we must answer four basic questions: how, who, when, and where? In this article, we'll address the latter two.
Price expectations remain high in European countries and South Africa, stable in Asia, and variable in the Americas.
Currently, the hog price in Poland is trending upward. Is it possible to make a profit with today's production costs?
Are we using the best samples and techniques to monitor PRRS absence in boar studs?
The outlook for 2024 will depend on the dynamics of the main producers: China, the European Union, the United States, and Brazil.
Including dried brewers' spent grains in the feed not only provides protein but can lessen the environmental impact of pig slurry.
The biocidal properties of silver nanoparticles are of interest in the context of increasing antibiotic resistance. What are their uses?
In this second installment, we cover extracting the tongue, trachea, lungs, and heart in one piece. We will extract the organs of the abdominal cavity, both the digestive system and the urinary and genital tracts. In the head, we will access the nasal turbinates, brain, and cerebellum.
We will see if the spring market begins at Easter, as is tradition, or if it is delayed due to these dates falling too early.
Modulation of the microbiota seems to influence the presence of S. Suis and the expression of its virulence factors.
To reduce mortality, it is essential to diagnose the causes. To do so, we must answer four basic questions: how, who, when, and where? In this article, we'll address the first two.
Since 1998, IFIP has had an experimental farm located in Romillé, Brittany, France, which allows them to run all types of trials at all stages of production.
Sánchez-Osorio shares the key points on which Topigs Norsvin's health management is grounded.
Professor Pejsak’s view on tail docking: Is it ethically justified and practically possible to phase out this practice in piglets?
February was full of very dynamic changes in the pig market in Poland. How will the market develop over the next month?
Pig prices are rising briskly and steadily. Will the market be a carbon copy of last year? Guillem Burset doesn't think so. He thinks we won't reach 2.025 €/kg live…
What laboratory diagnostic methods can I use to diagnose FMD? Which one should I choose according to the situation? How do I interpret the results?
In this logbook, each page corresponds to a week of the year in which all the matings during the week are recorded.
We focus on moving surplus piglets, which forces us to use nurse sows. We explain two ways to do this in a very visual video.
At the beginning of last year, we asked our users what they thought the average pig price would be in their respective countries in 2023. Want to know who came closest?
In the previous article, we learned about the concept of feed safety, its impact on swine production, and the responsibility of the compound feed industry in the food chain. Now we will focus on how to practically apply this concept in the compound feed production process.
Detection of lung lesions in slaughtered pigs also allows estimation of economic losses.
Are prices stabilizing in Poland? How do Polish prices currently compare to other countries?
This new section, coordinated by the pathological anatomy team of the University of Cordoba, Spain, will show us, in a very visual and practical way, how to perform a necropsy on a pig.
A case study on identifying and addressing entry-related biosecurity hazards on a sow farm.
Straw is the best enrichment material to meet pigs' needs. How can we provide it?
In the end, depopulation was the option to reduce mortality and the excessive use of antibiotics in the nursery and subsequent phases.