Recuperate or eliminate?
At high health pig farms in the Netherlands, an early farewell to sick piglets is a widely discussed topic at the moment. However, also on regular farms, experts advise to put sick animals down earlier.

PCVD – From pathogenesis to protection
Part 3. The pathology of porcine circovirus diseases
Porcine Circovirus 2 (PCV2) has been intriguing pig producers and scientists alike as it proved difficult to identify both the disease’s origins and triggers. In this third episode of the series ‘PCVD – From pathogenesis to protection’, Pig Progress launches an attempt to unveil as many mysteries as possible that surround PCV2.

Uganda eyeing for better pig quality
Uganda’s meat and livestock industry is growing rapidly. To keep up with that pace, the country’s authorities have been introducing new livestock acts to ensure basic meat quality and traceability.

Score on health needed to strengthen weakest link
Inextricable links between the three big elements affecting pig performance dictate success or failure. An eternal triangle links these elements – genetics, health and nutrition – where each one continues to influence each of the other two. Health is the most difficult to quantify and can often be the weakest link. Plans to improve this and ideas to emphasise herd health will improve overall performance.

SPACE gaining in importance
This year’s SPACE in Rennes, France, September 11-14, emphasised the growing importance of the show. An increasing number of visitors made their way to Brittany and the nation’s president Nicolas Sarkozy used the show as a platform to announce a new political framework for European agriculture.

Defying the odds: a model pig farm in Zimbabwe
Pig farming in Zimbabwe has not been easy lately as the African country has suffered from persistent drought. Despite the adverse weather, the Triple C farm, located outside Harare near Norton, is doing well.

What do paella and pig waste have in common?
Fish and pigs, pigs and fish – a famous combination within the Spanish dish, paella. In other situations, however, uniting pigs and fish can also be successful. Dr Julio Cesar Pascale Palhares explains why Brazil holds the future for rearing fish on pig waste.

“Aid programme will only delay market oversupply”
Recently, the European Union decided to call for a programme that will temporarily subsidise private pigmeat storage. Some of Europe’s pig producers, however, are not as happy with the decision as ‘Brussels’ might have expected.