Page 16 of articles about nutrition in Articles

The sow must be able to store enough calcium during the pregnancy to face the possible mobilizations during the lactation.

The decrease in the level of protein seems to be a promising strategy to increase the intramuscular fat, as long as the lysine level is adapted to the to the kind of pig used.

Albeit having similar determinants, the conversion index of the best (25%) and of the least efficient producers (25%) can differ in 0.42 points.

Bitterness leaves an unpleasant feeling linked to a decrease in feed consumption. On the other hand, modulating feed intake with bitter compounds might be an interesting tool to limit excessive voracity of pigs and sows at certain stages.

Perinatal flavour learning has been shown in a wide variety of species including humans, and often results in a preference in the offspring for a flavour that the mother ate often during late gestation and lactation.

The great impact of the boar on the swine production (up to more than 6,000 piglets produced by boar and year) determines the great interest in the study of any factor that can have an incidence on its production results.

Interventions can only reduce but not eradicate Salmonella from the herd. This emphasises the importance of trying to avoid introduction especially Salmonella Typhimurium or Salmonella Derby.

This could be very shortly summarized by ‘’Start high and increase fast’’.

Today sows have a milk production of 8-12 liters/day or more. The challenge of feeding the lactating sow is not new and improvement to the genetic potential of lean and prolific dam lines make this issue of critical importance for any breeding herd.

Seaweeds are rich in undigestible polysaccharides and are a potential source of soluble dietary fibers. The most abundant polysaccharides in brown seaweeds are laminarin, fucoidan and alginic acid.

Some tips to reduce feed costs on pig farms.

We have long known that of all the species tested, piglets are born with the lowest circulating levels of 25(OH)D.

Vitamin D is normally produced following skin exposure to ultraviolet-B. Since most piglets (and humans too!) are raised in climate controlled housing and born year-round, direct access to sunshine is often limited, even in the summer. Fortunately, vitamin D can be added to diets to meet the animals' need for vitamin D.

Modern sows are able to produce over 70 weaned piglets during their productive live.

We should focus on actions that are in our hands to try to improve the profitability of our farms.

UTIs are among the most frequent bacterial infections in the herd but they are rarely diagnosed or taken into consideration by veterinarians.