Evaluation of alternatives to increase weaning age
Without adding more space, the only way to accommodate an increase in weaning age is to decrease the breeding herd inventory.
Page 5 of articles about productivity
What is the economic loss due to genetic defects?
An economic model was developed that assessed financial loss through the pyramid from nucleus to multiplier to commercial herd on a per litter basis for traits with an incidence higher than 0.10%.
Iowa Pork Industry Center: SowBridge subscriber says program adds value to operation
In a constantly changing industry, Iowa pork producer Greg Carlson has identified the importance of convenient and effective continuing education. That’s why he has subscribed for two years to the distance education series SowBridge. This innovative program, coordinated by the Iowa Pork Industry Center (IPIC) at Iowa State University (ISU), provides Carlson and pork producers around the world with timely and accurate information in a highly efficient manner.
Ideal mating time
The optimal fertilization of a sow depends on several factors, among them, mating in a specific moment of the oestrus.
United Kingdom - British pig production still lags behind
Despite improvements in daily liveweight gain and pigs finished per sow, Britain still lags behind its European competition in the production stakes.
The latest figures from the BPEX publication on international cost of production show Britain produced 1643kg pig meat per sow in 2009 – the lowest of all the EU countries.
TOPIGS research shows sows in groups produce heavier piglets
Reproductive data of more than 40,000 TOPIGS sows from 59 Dutch farms in the period 2008-2009 show that group-housed sows produce piglets with an average birthweight 61 gram higher than those of individually housed sows.
Pork CRC makes bid for better pig welfare
Research supported by Australia’s Pork Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) suggests changes to how sows are managed and mated in lactation may enable a smooth transition from stalls to group housing, without reproductive performance declining.
JSR: Lifetime sow performance - a key indicator of profit
Pigs per sow per year and numbers weaned have always been the main performance criteria adopted by pig producers to judge the success of their business. Both are useful indicators, indeed JSR have a commercial target of 25 pigs per sow per year, but it is important that producers keep an open mind on how they can measure unit efficiency and productivity.
EU approves Novus feed additive for all species
Novus International, a leader in animal health and nutrition is proud to announce the European Union registration of MINTREX chelated trace minerals as feed additives for all species.
ACMC: Still potential to boost sow output
Rapid progress in sow productivity in commercial pig herds is still possible, according to Yorkshire-based pig-breeding company ACMC.
New feed supplement boosts piglet production
Following recognition under the UFAS feed approval scheme UK pig farmers now have access to a new product, Digeston-K, a feed supplement that can improve sow productivity by at least one pig per sow a year.
Effects of increasing feeding level during late gestation on sow and litter performance
Increase feeding level during late gestation does not improve sow or gilt performance
Thompson’s tip: Backlogs and stocking rates
Significant increases in stocking densities have been seen in finishing pens, especially among larger pigs, as various abattoirs have ‘rolled back’ their weekly kills.
UK - Total Income from Farming, 2009 and 2010
Total Income from Farming in 2009 is estimated to have risen by 25% and in real terms, and is forecast to fall by 8.8% in 2010.
USA - K-State Ag Profitability Conferences Slated for 11 Kansas Locations
Kansas State University Research and Extension will host 11 K-State Ag Profitability conferences beginning in early December.
Pfizer Trainee Awards for pig and poultry industries
Employees on pig and poultry farms in North Lincolnshire — Georgina Cherrill and Andrew Hall — are the 2009 winners of the Pfizer Trainee of the Year Awards.