Piglet vitality: what drives colostrum production?
With the increase of sow prolificity, it is
important to better understand factors that will
promote sow colostrum production in order to
meet the needs of all piglets. Remarkably, total
colostrum production by sows does not appear
to be increased by the total litter size.

Increased pork imports frighten Australian industry
Imports of pigmeat from the United States into
Australia led to a dispute between the two
countries in the last couple of months.
Problems of profitability in Australian pig production
are at the bottom of the controversy.

Drinkers tested on water use
Reducing the amount of slurry is preferable for
more than one reason – and it has become
extra topical since the introduction of the IPPC
legislation. Researchers at the Northern Irish
Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute set out to
find out which kinds of drinkers help to reduce
the total amount of slurry produced.

Early embryo survival sets scene for litter size
Litter size is one of the key determinants of
profitability on pig units and is generally measured
at birth or weaning. Genetics and nutrition
play a big part in litter size, mainly in the first
25 days of pregnancy. What happens after day
25 plays only a small part in litter size. A better
understanding of the factors that influence
embryo survival and implementation in the
early days should, therefore, have a significant
impact on productivity.

The problem of lameness in sows
Lameness has always been recognised as a
problem in the reproductive herd. However, the
range of effects, the cost of those effects and
the potential intervention opportunities are
poorly identified. With changes in the expectations
of longevity in sows along with concerns
about the welfare of these animals, more attention
is given to this disease.

Defining the ‘green’ way
Green is the way to go – also in agriculture –
but where to go exactly? Alltech’s annual
animal health and nutrition symposium, in
Lexington, Kentucky, last April, posed questions
and tried to find some answers.

Zambia: a hard road to travel
Pig production in Zambia has suffered some severe blows in the
last five years or so. Hopes are high, however, that the country’s
pig production is well on its way again.
 
Trace minerals in pig production
Part 3. The catalyst for sow lifetime performance
Trace mineral nutrition has been a neglected
area of pig science and modern hyper-prolific
sows have different requirements than those
currently recommended. However, it is not just
a question of quantity, but very much a
question of the source and bio-availability of
the mineral.

Selecting on piglet vitality for a more uniform birth weight
Selecting on piglet vitality has become a
criterium that is becoming increasingly
important. Research into the genetic reasons
for piglet survival sometimes yields surprising
discoveries. “Still, nature is always right so there
have to be logical explanations.”