Articles

In today's context of high production costs and increasing pressure from environmental regulations, swine production faces the challenge of balancing production efficiency with the environmental and economic sustainability of the industry. A key factor in this equation is feed particle size, where simple actions available to the producer can achieve significant improvements.

At the risk of being proven wrong by the end of 2025, we will try to break down what we think this year has in store. It's not about using a crystal ball, but rather analyzing the data we already have and weighing its importance. At the end of the year, you can compare and see whether we got it right or missed the mark.

Beta glucans are an excellent bioactive compounds that can help us enhance passive immunity in a profitable and practical way.

The appearance of a case of foot and mouth disease aggravated the fall in the German pig price with direct repercussions on prices in neighboring countries.

Aerosol models may open a new range of possibilities for addressing knowledge gaps concerning M. hyopneumoniae infection and disease, treatment, and control.

From their respective academic and on-farm positions, Josep Gasa and Josep Casanovas discuss a study on the performance and welfare of sows exposed to auditory environmental enrichment.

A study conducted by IFIP (France) has compared three sensor methods based on near infrared spectrometry (NIRS), electrical conductivity and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometry.

This is how to assemble an "emergency" ramp using the insulation panels left over from the construction of the nursery.

The price of pork has remained well above the cost price throughout the year, with declines from the peak (1.848 euros per kilo in July) being gradual and controlled, allowing slaughterhouses to navigate the autumn with favourable positive margins.

Analyzing the swine industry's life cycle and implementing sustainable measures from feeding to processing drives a change towards a more environmentally friendly industry and better animal welfare.

The global swine industry is dynamic and constantly advancing. One of these advancements is the significant increase in sow productivity. This is evidenced by the increase in the number of piglets born and, consequently, in the number of piglets weaned. This progress also poses new challenges, especially regarding the most important superfood on the farm: porcine colostrum. This leads us to ask if improving colostrum quality is possible through specific nutritional strategies.

To identify the keys to success in managing sows in breed and release systems, France's Chamber of Agriculture of the Brittany Region surveyed farmers who implemented this system. The results identified three strategies that producers use the week after weaning.

Nutrition plays a major role in the immune response. The interaction of different dietary components with other factors such as environment, health status, and genetics plays an important role in modulating the immune response.

The price is not expected to change in the coming weeks, provided nothing extraordinary happens.

Our experts Sara Mazo and Francisco Ruíz review the economic policies implemented during Trump's first term: protectionism, tariffs, and deregulation of the energy and agricultural sectors.

Sánchez-Osorio describes the characteristics of the different terminal boar lines developed by Topigs Norsvin for each type of market, prioritizing lean yield or meat quality.

With current data, we will review the quantitative impact of some of the most relevant factors for sows in the lactation phase.

In the fifth installment of the manual we address the examination of the organs of the abdominal cavity.

IFIP provides a summary of the evolution of grain and oilseed crops.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This tip involves using an aluminum panel to close the aisles during heat checking.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Antonio Palomo summarizes the presentations on swine health from the recent edition of the AASV that took place in Nashville (Tennessee).

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.

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.

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?