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Latest Blogs (41-50 of 249)
Medicated feed premixes – is carryover in feed really a problem?
It was reported last week that the Dutch are planning to ban the use of medicated feed premixes in 2011 from April 1st, in an attempt to reduce their overall usage of antibiotics in farm animals. It will be an interesting experiment. One of their concerns was the carryover of antibiotics from one batch of medicated feed to the next and the possibility that low levels of antimicrobial contamination may play a role in selecting for resistant strains of bacteria.
Feeding weaned sows
One of the least discussed topics in pig nutrition is how to feed the sow after piglets are weaned and until she shows the first signs of estrous. There are many programs, ideas, and methods! They range from starvation in the first couple days to feeding ad libitum to achieve the so-called 'flushing effect'. Based on my experience, no two farms use the same method, and there is at least more than a few programs that are used successfully.
Pigs and tigers: A unique combination
When visiting a tiger zoo in Thailand last month, I was surprised to bump into a more than familiar scene – a tigress in the same pen with little piglets. Her pictures are world-famous – but why keep pigs and tigers in one pen?
Iron for piglets: injection or oral?
Piglets need iron supplements as they have a low deposit at birth, have a high grow rate and normally not have the ability to get the iron from soil. Sow milk only covers 10% of the iron need: this comes down to an iron deficit of approximately 155 mg per piglet. An iron injection is the most common method of filling this gap, but oral supplementation is a good alternative with some positive side effects.
Antibiotic arguments
DG Sanco is coming to the end of their review of antimicrobial use in the EU, shortly, what will be their recommendations?
EuroTier and immunoglobulins, part 2
For those of you who did not make it to Eurotier this year, I am providing below the summary of my presentation there on the topic of 'Immunoglobulins in Piglet Nutrition'. A PDF file of the slides is also available in my website at www.ariston-nutrition.com/downloads. As you might have guessed, I am really excited about the topic of in-feed immunoglobulins in piglet nutrition. More developments are on the way!
Feeder settings
I've been working in Central Europe recently and while everyone seems happily fitted up with competition or plate feeders for growers, I notice that the operation of them leaves a lot to be desired.
EuroTier 2010: German pork market - Part II
Part I of this warm-up for this year's edition of EuroTier devoted its attention to the domestic pig breeding situation in Germany. German-based author Norman Dunn spoke about 'a tailor-made situation for an increase in imported piglets'. But what does this mean for exports?
EuroTier 2010: German pork market - Part I
As the world’s pig equipment manufacturers set-up their stands for the Germany's EuroTier exhibition in Hanover this November, they must be thanking their lucky stars for such an attractive market. For the German sector, easily the largest in Europe with 59 million pigs slaughtered this year (a plus of 5% on 2009), is also one of the most dynamic which means high capital investment is on the cards for new buildings and the latest in climate, feeding and monitoring equipment.
EuroTier and immunoglobulins
November is the month of EuroTier for me and like each year, I am making my plans to attend. This year, however, is special for me. I have been invited to give a presentation on my favorite topic: Immunoglobulins in piglet nutrition. So, you're all invited to attend.
