Articles - Management

We talked to Jonatan Sánchez-Osorio, Technical Director of Topigs Norsvin Spain, about the essential points in managing sows from this genetic line.

In France, the ban on castration of pigs without pain relief, i.e. without anesthesia, has been in force since January 1, 2022, and this has led to the production of entire male pigs. The main difficulty with this type of production lies in the risk of unpleasant odors being present in the meat from these animals.

A small cart is parked at the end of the aisle of each farrowing room, just below a dry feed distribution line.

Today's swine industry depends on a supply of properly balanced feed, the quality and safety of which are critical to pig health, welfare, and maximum productive performance.

Spain is the first EU country to legislate the installation of video surveillance systems in slaughterhouses, following the example of England, Scotland, and Israel.

A plastic safety fence, like those used in construction, is used to create a barrier between the doors, allowing one person to control sow movement.

Enric Marco examines the reasons why the average age at weaning has not yet reached 28 days in Spain.

Does more available space for finishing pigs improve production? Should we aim to have homogenous weight groups? This study assesses the effect of different elements on finishing performance.

There are many types of do-it-yourself sow card holders for farms, but this one stands out thanks to its simplicity and functionality.

Medicating water using a tank is an easy and flexible method used to administer drugs, but it can be imprecise if the products we use aren’t totally soluble.

Use a waist bag to always have the supplies you need for farrowing assistance at hand.

To ensure that each piglet intakes enough colostrum and to help the smallest piglets get it, split suckling should be used.

A very simple and functional panel for moving pigs in finishing barns.

What causes can lead to increased feed conversion ratio and mortality with worsened average daily gain?

Javier Lorente outlines step by step the keys to reducing piglet stress during the weaning process.

What can produce an increase in the feed conversion ratio and mortality without affecting average daily gain?

This innovative ramp designed by Hylife improves piglet welfare and reduces physical strain on farm workers during the weaning process.

What can produce an increase in the feed conversion ratio and worsen average daily gain without altering mortality?

We went to visit Piggly, a sustainable farm from an environmental, production, animal welfare, and economic perspective.

Cross-fostering is a common practice in farrowing units. However, the emergence of hyperprolific sows has caused us to rethink the issue.

Everything you need to know to successfully wean your piglets.

Which environmental factors can affect the feed conversion ratio? Enric Marco talks about the effects of temperature and humidity.... they can make us lose money.

This system uses a small air stream at the sow's nose to improve her thermal comfort.

Which management factors can affect the feed conversion ratio? Enric Marco covers how all-in all-out, density, trough space, and filling and emptying of barns can lose us money.