
German pig market in March with tailwinds - and the brakes on
The pig market in Germany presented itself over the course of March in a notably stable to firm condition, even though developments were far from linear.


The pig market in Germany presented itself over the course of March in a notably stable to firm condition, even though developments were far from linear.

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) play a key role in intestinal health in pigs. In addition to providing readily available energy, they contribute to microbiota modulation, pathogen reduction, and improved digestibility and nutrient absorption, specially in piglets during the post-weaning period.

South Africa’s FMD vaccine delays leave pigs vulnerable, with farmers urging faster rollout to curb outbreaks and protect livestock.

Success depends on targeted investments that make production systems more precise, predictable, and resilient. Cost-cutting alone is rarely a sustainable path to profit.

Among the elements that are often overlooked is the microbiota, a true "invisible organ" that plays a key role in the health, immunity, and productivity of pigs. Understanding its dynamics and how it becomes imbalanced is increasingly essential for the success of health and nutrition programs.

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Initial injuries at the tip of the ear are usually due to chewing behavior, while injuries at the base of the ear appear to be influenced by feeder-related bites.

To complement the necropsy course, we have produced a series of videos of different processes in pigs.

Registration and abstract submission period now open

South Africa’s pig industry sees cautious progress against foot-and-mouth disease, with vaccines, abattoir approvals, and ongoing research underway.

It turned out to be much easier than it seemed...

The speed at which events have unfolded makes one want to get off this rollercoaster ride of a year, but the world doesn’t stop.





The flu is very much in the media spotlight, so we wanted to find out how much our users know about influenza's role in pigs and humans. To do this, we conducted a mini survey among our users.

The market is gradually working its way out of a phase of tension.

As we do at the beginning of every year, we are back to ask you about the average pig price in your country. We will soon publish the results of your predictions for 2025, but now we are interested in hearing how you think this 2026 will go...

There is no doubt that ASF weighs heavily on pig prices. Prices will probably rise until they reach (and possibly exceed) the cost price, but we should not expect any major joys in 2026.

Individual precision feeding facilitates the use of alternative feedstuffs, such as forage, agro-industrial by-products, and others, by allowing them to be provided according to each animal's consumption and growth.

Zone one, for surveillance, is where no cases have been reported, and zone two covers the area where outbreaks have been detected.



Prices were expected to be significantly better than what ultimately materialized in the hog markets.

With a presence in over 25 countries, 11 languages, and an ever-growing community.

The area covered by Level III restrictions (the so-called ASF red zone) is no longer in force in Poland.

The withdrawal of ZnO in the EU and the UK, and the pressure to reduce the use of antibiotics, has accelerated the shift to implement alternatives to protect postweaning gut health.

The Catalan government is maintaining its initial strategy, but has requested extraordinary support from the State to increase the resources allocated to the control efforts in the newly affected area.

Pork shortages hit South Africa after disease outbreaks trigger culling and limit slaughter access, pushing prices higher and tightening 2026 supply outlook.




If we want greater economic resilience in the face of hard times, our focus should shift from cutting costs to outproducing the challenges ahead.

Making the right choice is not just a matter of cost, but also of strategic vision and risk management.

In addition to its role in protein synthesis, tryptophan contributes to the production of serotonin, a molecule that influences appetite and immune system regulation, and niacin production.

Effective PRDC control isn’t a single protocol — it’s a system. Success depends on accurate diagnosis, tailored vaccination, strong biosecurity, smart production flow, and, above all, consistent implementation. As Cano said, “Execution is everything. The best protocol won’t work if no one’s watching the barn.”

According to CEXGAN data, Spanish exports of pork and pork products to third countries increased by 2.6% last year.

It seems the new feeders aren't to everyone's liking...




We visited the CDPQ, Centre de développement du porc du Québec, a commercial farm that operates under a unique collaborative model focused on research.

The speed and magnitude of the price drop at the beginning of January marked a discouraging start to the year for farms.

As part of its continued evolution and professionalization, 333 is restructuring its Human Resources department and welcoming Alejandro Plencovich.

All five National Single Commissions move to Mantua.

Spain has flooded the EU with cheap pork. Low pork prices dragged down prices in some countries.

While Chinese imports of pork products in 2025 decreased by 8.5%, pork production increased to more than 59 million tons.


Welcome to 333
Connect, share, and interact with the largest community of professionals in the swine industry.
Celebrating 203065Users on 333!
Sign upAlready a member?
Intestinal immunity is a complex system composed of physical barriers, immune cells, receptors, and microbiota.

An updated summary regarding the African swine fever outbreak situation in Spain.

Over the past year, Spanish imports of live pigs continued to increase, reaching 4,778,189 head, 12% more than in the previous year.

What can we do to protect ourselves from influenza? And to protect pigs?
Influenza is a significant respiratory disease that affects not only pigs but also human health. The actions of personnel who have access to pigs directly influence the disease's impact. In this short survey, we want to know if you take steps to reduce the risk of spreading influenza.

Farms that fail to manage intergenerational integration run risks that directly affect their productivity and sustainability.

Given the current situation, any help in combating African swine fever is welcome.



In this second instalment, Cano and Segalés talk about tools for detecting PRDC on farms, the factors influencing its development, and vaccination.

The key takeaways highlight that environmental microbiomes matter—installing a positive biofilm on surfaces in farm buildings helps maintain a favorable microbial environment in the nursery—while animal gut resilience is equally essential and requires supporting microbial balance, immunity, and the management of oxidative stress to optimize their post-weaning performance.

Sara Mazo and Francisco Ruíz review what could affect the commodities market in 2026... at least based on the information currently available.

Take a look back at our most popular articles of the year.

An in-depth understanding of the customer is essential for pig farmers who want to become more competitive, shifting from a tactical, production-focused approach to a strategic, customer-based approach.

This marks a new milestone in the agricultural trade relationship.

