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Latest Blogs (71-80 of 248)
The National Swine Nutrition Guide: mission accomplished
In 2010, a new form of publication has come to join an already impressive list of reference material. The National Swine Nutrition Guide is an excellent example of 'mission accomplished'!
Stress control in pigs: introduce a rabbit!
For the pork producer, the top priorities are growth and feed conversion. But managing a finishing pig operation requires more than just providing good feed. Raising healthy, peaceful pigs is at least as important, and the livestock manager can also have a great deal of control over these aspects. Keeping the stress (aggression) under control is an important part in this.
VIV Europe: eerie but not too bad
VIV Europe 2010: Was it a good show or not? This question could be heard throughout the Jaarbeurs complex in Utrecht, the Netherlands last week. Many company representatives had mixed feelings.
Countdown to the IPVS
The Winter Olympics are over and preparations for IPVS in Vancouver are well underway and getting into their final stages. Early bird registrations closed a week a go with 1922 delegates, students and accompanying persons registered. Delegates have registered from more than 60 countries so far and we are projecting to have well over 2000 registered delegates at the IPVS in Vancouver in July.
Sanitising those water lines
Recently, I just returned from working in Europe, I happened to be present on two farms which were replacing parts of their water lines, and stopped to take a good look at the inside of the discarded piping.
Vitamin E for piglets - how much?
There is no doubt in my mind, vitamin E is a most potent vitamin, not only for efficient growth and reproduction but also for combating stress and disease. But, vitamin E is hardly a cheap vitamin to use without a second thought. It is indeed quite an expensive supplement, when used as such beyond and above normal requirements. So, how much do we really need to add in piglet diets?
Taking the 'stress' out of weaning
The prevalence of E. coli infections after weaning fell dramatically in the UK in the late 1990s, even when PMWS was soaring to its heights – what was happening?
Glycerol, a liquid with potential
Glycerol is a by-product of biofuel production and it may be used as an energy source in diets for pigs but there is limited research on its optimum level of inclusion or on the effect of performance and meat quality. Increased number of research papers show and increased ADG in pigs, but inclusion levels should not be too high.
Feeding small piglets
In my previous entry, we established how to decide when to start saving small piglets that would otherwise be euthanised. In this entry, I would like to discuss how to feed these small piglets to ensure they catch up with their heavier littermates, at least to the best they can!
Replacement gilts – age at first service – new advice
I am sure you have seen the interesting report on age at first service by JSR Genetics revealing that age at first service – in terms of numbers born alive and returns to service – takes precedence over bodyweight and fat P2 level. They claim that 240 days old shows the best response and is most cost effective, with bodyweight and fat cover far less important within quite wide boundaries.
