Nature is wise: Optimum moment for the mating
The author considers which is the ideal day for the mating and sets out the improvements in the results obtained when weaning on Monday.
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Holding together the legs in splay leg cases
We hold the legs of the piglets together with plastic straps, avoiding that they move apart from each other.
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Monitoring during the growth stage (III)
Can we get to know if the behaviour, from the sanitary point of view, of a certain batch of animals during their growth stage is being correct? How can we achieve this?
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Pen size for pigs
Production manuals and legislation often give recommendations as to the minimum space requirements for each type of animal. There are many sources where we can find information about the minimum requirements to ensure animal comfort. But, what is the optimal number of animals to put in a pen? Is there a magic number? There is not as much documentation on this topic.
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Management of farrowing objectives to achieve optimal piglet weight at weaning (II): batches every two weeks
The dispersion of matings described in the previous article is even more drastic on farms operating in bands over one week.
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Management of farrowing objectives to achieve optimal piglet weight at weaning (I): weekly batches
Wouldn’t it be great if all the sows on a farm (weaned sows, gilts, repeat breeders…) could be mated on the same day?! And if we were able to choose, on Mondays?
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12-Nov-2012ray croteauI have a young gilt whose farrowing date was 6 days ago. She seems healthy and has been developing all the signs that she will be ready but her two siblings had very early farrowing times and also had problems. Is there anything I need to do except wait & see.
Thanks for any advice
ray
Thanks for any advice
ray
In search of the ideal batch (2/2)
As we discovered in the last chapter, there are no “traditional” BM systems lasting over one week that allow for weaning at 28 days with a 5-week rotation time. However, breaking with the theoretical norms, we can wean at 28 days when working with batches every 5 weeks.
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17-Jul-2013Carlos CasanovasThat's fine Susan. It's the only system that will allow you AI-AO practice at your grower-finish units (also 4 weeks, but then you will need an extra building). That's a big farm (around 1200 sows, right?) so that also shows that BM is not restricted to small size units. Just consider that with 5 week BM you can wean at 28 days.
Regards, Carlos
Regards, Carlos
In search of the ideal batch (1/2)
During the last 10 years we have been trying to optimize the different Batch Management systems (BM), searching for the most effective system. We had come to the conclusion that each one of the different traditional BM options had their pros and cons, and neither is better or worse than the other. Electing the best system depends on the necessities and the calibration of space on each particular farm. However, we have recently “discovered” a new BM option that opens the door to new possibilities.
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Sanitary Equilibrium: The role of PCV2 vaccines
The most common problems are due to interference with maternal antibodies and coincidence of vaccination with a recirculation of PRRS: viremic animals.
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