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Environmental enrichment is an important part of the welfare codes for pigs. Pig’s Donut from G E Baker (UK) Ltd – which trades under the name of Quality Equipment – is a toy designed to help reduce boredom by stimulating play and activity for these animals from weaning through to finishing.

To meet unprecedented demand for the prolific AC1 hybrid gilt in the Philippines, Wellisa Farms has invested 15 million Philippine pesos (over £200,000) to expand its nucleus herd from 300 to 700 sows to increase production. It expects sales to double in 2009.

Veterinarians and others in Iowa’s pork industry have the opportunity to become Pork Quality Assurance Plus™ Advisors under the National Pork Board's PQA Plus™ program. The certification process requires attendance at a daylong training session and passing an exam at the conclusion of that session. The Iowa Pork Industry Center (IPIC) at Iowa State University (ISU) will hold one such training Nov. 19.

With five new graduate students and a lab manager, Iowa State University’s (ISU) applied swine nutrition program is focused squarely on the future. The program, under the leadership of animal science associate professor John Patience, has three research themes: energy, ingredient evaluation, and feeding management. There also are collaborative efforts with additional animal science faculty members in other areas.