Industry Insights

 Swine farming is a fundamental source of environmental antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) worldwide. Understanding the pathways of ARG propagation into the environment is critical to develop strategies to mitigate environmental...

In the framework of the current antibiotic-free, low-zinc farming system, having a healthy gut is important. Studies from China have shown that using mannan-rich fractions combined with organic acid/zinc proteinate...

The approach to grow entire male pigs by using immunological castration was introduced about 25 years ago. The strategy was an alternative to physical castration, and was launched globally. The...

Piglets with a low birth weight are an important cause of economic loss due to increased morbidity and mortality rates, and reduced growth performance, meat, and carcass quality. Therefore, nutritional...

 In order to prevent antimicrobial resistance, it is essential to take integrated approaches to monitor post-weaning diarrhoea. Options are supplementation of essential oils and probiotics, decreasing acid-binding capacity of feed,...

African Swine Fever virus (ASFv) is capable of transmitting in boar semen, via the route of artificial insemination (AI) to gilts and embryonic piglets. That was the outcome of joint...

Antibiotics are not only administered through needles, feed or drinking water. They are also used to make sure semen is of top-notch quality in terms of pig health. As part...

Checking pig lungs after slaughter continues to make sense. It has long been known that there is a relationship between lesions related to enzootic pneumonia (EP) and the animals’ growth...

Lameness in pigs due to arthritis is caused by a group of overlapping infectious bacteria. Mycoplasma species include Mycoplasma hyorhinis and Mycoplasma hyosynoviae. They are frequently reported in different swine herds in association with lameness...

Feed efficiency is key in controlling production costs on a pig farm. In addition, it is also part of sustainability by using less feed for each kilogramme of pork produced....

Mango seed extract is effective in controlling and reducing nematodes in pigs, exposing its potential as a natural alternative to common anthelmintics. This is what researchers from the University of Southern...

For the full 2011-2021 period, overall sales of veterinary antibiotics decreased by 47% in this interval, reaching the lowest value ever reported. EMA’s annual report on the European Surveillance of...

For countries currently free of African Swine Fever (ASF), avoiding introduction of the disease is the primary focus. Disease control is best approached through on-farm biosecurity practices. Furthermore, surveillance and...

Balancing feed costs with the optimum market weight of finishing pigs is a daily decision for pig producers. What the human eye cannot yet see, a computer model can. Using...

No vaccination round is the same – this much the pig industry knows. More than once, inclusion of spray-dried plasma in diets supports animal health management by maintaining or improving...

When it comes to rearing healthy pigs, sows possess the superpower – colostrum. That’s why Kara Stewart, assistant professor of animal sciences at Purdue University, is so invested in improving...

A Kansas State University swine nutrition student is conducting research that focuses on potential alternatives to zinc oxide, a common ingredient in the diets of weaned pigs, in a project...

From time to time, producers may experience an issue within their barns and suspect that feed may be playing a role. These types of issues can range from unexpected mycotoxin...

Tail biting is one of the most prominent welfare concerns in commercial pig husbandry. It causes economic losses, so it needs to be recognised early to reduce injuries and suffering....

In commercial pigs, compromised health leads to significant antimicrobial consumption and concerns for both welfare and productivity. Early detection of health and welfare issues allows for timely intervention, reduces morbidity...

Research shows that L-histidine can improve carnosine content and positively influence meat quality traits. Defining a uniform definition of meat quality is complex and largely depends on the economic situation...

Ukraine has experienced a steady rise in wholesale and retail pork prices since early September, primarily driven by a shortage of live pigs across the country, the Ukrainian club of agricultural...

Large numbers of feral pigs continue to be a problem in North America, and if African Swine Fever should somehow enter the population, commercial pork farms are at great risk....

Pork accounts for approximately 37% of the meat consumed by the world’s population. The growing demand for pork has motivated pig producers to significantly improve swine production. However, feed costs...

A light-based, food sanitization technique successfully eliminated multiple harmful pathogens in a new study carried out by Penn State researchers. The pulsed light technique shows promise as an effective alternative...

While plant-based meat alternatives seem to have lost their hype, scientists are working to develop another protein alternative—mealworms. Over 2 billion people across the globe consume insects as part of...

No one can deny there’s a difference between market gilts and market barrows. That’s why Ben Bohrer, meat scientist at The Ohio State University, along with collaborators Jason Woodworth and...

In the context of reducing the use of antibiotics, proper use of feed additives begins with correctly defining the term and describing their composition and activity. Here we will discuss...

Farmers could achieve and maintain the Raised Without Antibiotics status through farm-specific coaching related to prudent antimicrobial usage and improved biosecurity. Reduced and responsible antimicrobial use leads to a lower...

Neonatal diarrhoea (ND) is one of the most common problems in modern pig production. In recent years, pig production has changed and intensification has increased, resulting in increased numbers of...

There are several amino acids that can enhance the quality of pork meat. Amino acids not only affect growth and health but can also alter body composition. What exactly is...

Animal welfare in gestation and farrowing units is a high priority for most sow producers. A longer production life for sows results in increased profitability for pig producers. Moreover, it...

Precision livestock farming (PLF) is the specific use of technology to measure and manage issues at the animal level in real time. Pig health and welfare expert Dr Monique Pairis-Garcia...

With only 3 days before zinc oxide would be banned from pig diets in the EU, experts gathered in Copenhagen, Denmark, for the second edition of the Zero Zinc Summit....

Feeding strategies for weaned pigs should be evaluated on a regular basis to ensure better results. Areas that should be regularly evaluated include: Greater liveability, Less morbidity, Enhanced labour efficiency,...

As group housing systems for gestating sows continue to increase in the U.S. swine industry, strategies to manage social interactions have become increasingly important. Because gestating females are limit fed...

The No. 1 known reason why sows leave the herd early is lameness. Although it's not a new problem, it's become a problem that U.S. pork producers can't afford to...

Phinite is a startup with a vision for hog manure—a future that eliminates obstacles in the fertilizer’s use today. As synthesized by CEO and founder Jordan Phasey, “We produce a...

There is more to a thermal environment for a pig than just temperature. Humidity in the air, moisture on the pig and surrounding surfaces, air drafts, and even flooring type,...

The campaign will address farmers, veterinarians, and hunters. With the assistance of local farmers’ groups, veterinary organisations, hunting associations, and other relevant bodies, the campaign aims to raise awareness about...