PIC dam lines. Genetic criteria
Starting with PIC, we are beginning a new series of articles on different genetics companies. For the genetic programme of PIC, we interviewed Juan Manuel Herrero, PIC genetic service manager for Spain and Portugal.
Page 6 of articles about sow
Video: How to spot the signs of farrowing
Identifying the different stages of farrowing allows us to monitor the process and take measures to maximize the number of piglets born alive and their viability.
Physiology and nutrition of late gestating and transition sows
The physiological processes and how they change dynamically as the sow approaches farrowing greatly affect sow productivity.
Sows that wean zero piglets: A problem in the farrowing room
Sows that try to recover after weaning no piglets have markedly lower performance and a significant chance of failing in lactation again.
Characteristics of thermal images of the mammary gland and of performance in sows differing in health status and parity
Thermography coupled with Artificial Intelligence systems can help identify and orient the diagnosis of symptomatic animals to prompt adequate reaction at the earliest time.
Effects of energy and dietary fiber on mammary development in gilts
Increasing fiber in high-energy diets reduced fat deposition and mammary cell apoptosis in gilts.
Topigs Norsvin opens Innova Canada
The new nucleus farm will be part of a bigger plan to upgrade and expand the nucleus capacity in Canada.
Sow behavior during introduction to a large dynamic group is influenced by familiarity and method
If small groups of sows are allowed to freely interact with each other prior to mixing into a larger dynamic group they can transition into the new social group with reduced rates of harmful aggressive behaviors.
Does nursing behaviour of sows in loose-housing differ from that of sows in farrowing crates?
Shorter nursing duration and more nursing terminations by the sow were observed in loose housing than in farrowing crates.
Build a chute to move sows
This corridor allows sows to be moved with minimal intervention from the staff.
Heat stress affects the sows' reproductive cycle
From their respective academic and on-farm perspectives, Josep Gasa and Josep Casanovas comment on a recent study regarding the effect of heat stress on sows: Which weeks does it affect the farrowing rate the most? What about the weaning-to-first-service interval? Are there differences depending on parity?
The Signs of farrowing: Physiology and sow behaviour
Understanding the farrowing process and recognizing the signs for the different stages of birth, help us to develop management plans to improve the likelihood for live born piglets.
Weaning without zinc oxide (2/3): Encouraging feed consumption after weaning
The ban on the use of zinc oxide starting June 2022 makes it necessary to review and improve many aspects of weaning, especially in its early stages. With Alberto García and Chretien Gielen we address key management points for successful weaning without the use of zinc oxide.
What types of free farrowing pens are there?
We describe the main alternative systems to farrowing crates for sows, from zero confinement to temporary restraint.
Who has better production indexes- Spain or the United States? (2/2)
We continue our comparison of production data between sow farms in Spain and the United States. This time we focus on replacement rate, pre-weaning mortality, and weaning weight.
The new challenge of crate-free housing in farrowing
Europe is preparing to eliminate farrowing crates in the next few years... Are farmers ready? Will this benefit the sows? What about the piglets?