The opinion of the bloggers do not necessarily reflect the opinion of PigProgress.net or Reed Business. Comments welcome.
Latest Blogs (11-20 of 249)
Farm-specific diets
For growing/finishing pigs, that is – and the concept is a major revolution in the way to buy the feeds for them. Important enough to devote 3 of my `What the Textbooks Don`t Tell You` columns to explain the reasons, the costs, and the benefits from changing to this improved method of buying growing/finishing food. The textbooks so far seem to be coy in covering the subject.
November - is it going to be antimicrobial resistance month?
With Europe on the brink of financial and political chaos, I would like to try to turn your attention to more mundane matters such as antimicrobial resistance and its future control in the EU. In the Netherlands, there will be an important international meeting reviewing the subject on the 14-16th of November and on November the 18th it is Antimicrobial Resistance Day. We are also awaiting the results and conclusions of DG Sanco’s review of antimicrobial use in Europe and how we can best control antimicrobial resistance spreading from animals to man.
Farrowing crates – freedom farrowing – are we getting there?
I have personally been sceptical about the banning of farrowing crates to allow the sow her natural nesting behaviour – but progress is being made.
A little word of comfort
Last Friday, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) sent out a brief statement on antibiotics, from its president Doug Wolf. His tone of voice was comforting – the NPPC knew.
France, pigs and 2013
Walking around at the annual livestock show SPACE in Rennes, I wondered how France is doing with regard to the imminent 2013 group housing legislation for sows? One hears stories about Southern Europe still lagging behind in conversion figures – but where does France fit in?
Andouille
Back in France to attend this year’s edition of the livestock show SPACE in Rennes – and had a first brief encounter with the country’s pork tradition, although it wasn’t a great one for me personally.
Precision Livestock Farming - a scandal or a blessing?
In many countries in the developed world, the phenomenon of protest movements can be observed in a lot of different industries. As soon as a society and its business mature, so do openly questioning, criticism and pressure.
Sows in heat due to Dutch singer
Pigs like music – that’s a well-known fact. It’s lesser known, however, that certain singers may have an exceptional influence on sows getting in heat.
SPACE: Can we deglobalise pig production?
Most European countries are facing a serious economic crisis leading some to people think (or dream) about new ways to survive, such as deglobalisation or an exit from the euro zone.
Misinterpretations in conventional media
In early September I am speaking about the role of the media with regard to Precision Livestock Farming in the future. I’ve been asked not to reveal anything about my presentation so I will not do that in this weblog.
