Arginine supplementation in lactating sows improves milk composition, supports piglet growth, and modulates gut microbiota
Arginine in sows diet improves milk composition, promoting a healthier and more balanced gut microbiome at weaning.
articles about lactation
Precision nutrition and global collaboration shape GSS 2025
The Gestal Swine Summit 2025, organized by Jyga Technologies in Lévis, Quebec, brought together specialists, researchers, and companies from more than 10 countries to discuss nutrition, technology, and swine management strategies. In its second edition, the event reaffirmed its role as a technical and practical forum for promoting efficiency and sustainability on farms.
Ergotism in an organic sow herd and the impact on lactation performance and subsequent reproductive performance
This case reports the level of ergot alkaloids and duration of exposure found under field conditions in a herd that experienced a high neonatal mortality event consequent to agalactia in the sows.
Impact of dietary fiber on nutrient digestibility and gut microbiota of lactating sows
The inclusion of dietary fiber in lactating diets may directly depend on fiber source and their fermentability.
333 Emerging Voices - Impact of nest covers on welfare and performance of temporarily crated sows and their piglets during lactation
This work supports the use of temporary crating as a viable alternative to conventional farrowing crates. Final thesis at the Department of Animal and Food Science of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, UAB, Spain, advised by Pol Llonch Obiols.
Precision feeding for lactating sows: The path to sustainability and efficiency
Implementing precision feeding through the use of electronic feeders improves sow and piglet performance while providing economic, environmental, and animal welfare benefits.
Effects of increased essential fatty acid intake during lactation on sow’s reproductive performance
Dietary supplementation of essential fatty acids during lactation may improve reproductive performance in multiparous sows but not in primiparous sows.
Ad libitum feeding systems for lactating sows: effects on productivity and welfare of sows and piglets
Data suggest that sows fed ad libitum eat what they need and can convert feed more efficiently into the piglets’ growth without additional weight loss.
Specialized feed-additive blends of short- and medium-chain fatty acids improve sow and pig performance during nursery and post-weaning phase
Maternal dietary supplementation with short- and medium-chain fatty acids may enhance productivity and health in sows and their litter.
Do we know how to interpret what our pigs are telling us? Observations in the farrowing room
The relatively short but very intense lactation period is undoubtedly a key phase in pig production for both sows and piglets. The fragility of the piglets and the significant demands that sows face at this stage make early detection of problems essential. Do we understand what the animals are telling us?
Can probiotics alleviate constipation and inflammation in late-gestating and lactating sows?
Dietary probiotic supplementation may reduce the inflammatory status in gestating and lactating sows.
Performance and welfare of sows exposed to auditory environmental enrichment in mixed or group housing systems
From their respective academic and on-farm positions, Josep Gasa and Josep Casanovas discuss a study on the performance and welfare of sows exposed to auditory environmental enrichment.
Cross fostering and nurse sows (II): How to do the movements?
We focus on moving surplus piglets, which forces us to use nurse sows. We explain two ways to do this in a very visual video.
Effects of early intermittent maternal separation on behavior, physiological, and growth performance in piglets
Early intermittent neonatal maternal separation created stress and affected the growth performance of piglets during suckling. However, the growth rate was improved by compensatory measures during late weaning.
The impact of functional teat number on reproductive throughput in swine
Results suggest increasing functional teat number would enhance both piglet survival and reproductive throughput.
Effects of farrowing hut design on maternal and thermoregulatory behavior in outdoor housed sows and piglets
The metal hut appears to be the best compromise considering thermal environment, behavior, and litter survival.