Heat stress in sows
Heat stress is estimated to have a cost in the US pig industry alone of around $300 million.
Page 7 of articles about sow
Free farrowing systems on commercial farms in Denmark and Spain
Confinement is strongly criticised by public opinion and the industry is moving towards innovative housing of lactating sows.
The importance of water consumption for sows in lactation
During lactation ensuring the sow consumes enough water is essential, as well as maintaining the water:feed ratio needed to lessen weight loss in the sow and allow a greater daily gain in the piglets.
Are there open sows?
If the farrowing rate is less than ideal, with a normal percent of returns to estrus and abortions, we must consider the open sows.
Do I have dead pregnant sows? What could be the cause?
If my farrowing rate is low, but the returns to estrus, abortions, and culled pregnant sows are all normal, I probably have dead sows...
Intake patterns of lactating sows: More important than you may realize.
Deviations from the sow's normal consumption pattern during the lactation phase have important production implications.
Tips for heat detection
In the first part of this article series we addressed how to correctly stimulate oestrus. In this article we continue talking with swine reproduction specialist, Javier Gil Pascual, focusing on heat detection.
Do you know how to interpret your farm's retention rate?
Does a high retention rate indicate high productivity?
Effect of suckling intensity of primiparous sows on production performance during current and subsequent parities
Increased suckling intensity increased litter weight gain but reduced piglet ADG. Following lactations were not negatively affected by increased suckling intensity of the first lactation. Loss of sow body reserves was reduced for the second lactation.
Genomics projects awarded $2.5 million from government, industry
DNA marker identifying lower-stress sows could save the Ontario pork industry $12.9-million in losses by saving piglets from being crushed or savaged by sows.
Analysis of steroids in gilt saliva to identify biomarkers of the period of receptivity
The objective of this study was to develop alternatives to hormonal treatments to synchronize oestrus of gilts.
Collaboration the Key to New Pork Pact
Top breeder organizations Hendrix Genetics (Hypor) and German-based BHZP sign agreement, improving market concentration and collaboration.
Tips to stimulate gilts and sows coming into heat
In a series of articles, swine reproduction and insemination specialist, Javier Gil Pascual, addresses the key aspects of oestrus stimulation and detection, and insemination.
Melatonin potentially acts directly on swine ovary
Melatonin interferes with cultured granulosa cell proliferation and steroidogenesis.
Do we fully understand gilts? Do we treat them as they deserve?
Gilts have more returns to estrus... but why?
The effect of three different feeding time’s strategy during sows’ gestation
Feeding management related to time of feeding in restricted gestating sows may enhance sow performance.