Sows
As new PRRS strains challenge even the most remote operations, a landmark 16-year study proves that air filtration is a critical tool to reduce disease risk and protect herd productivity.
Register now for NC State’s Innovation Forum and prepare for a deep dive into health and production at Iowa State’s McKean Swine Disease Conference and Iowa Swine Day.
Sow and piglet mortality are the toughest opponents facing the pork industry today. Mark Knauer applies the same “grind” mentality he used as a Division I wrestler to “takedown” this crisis.
Genetic selection is a viable tool for reducing incidence of pelvic organ prolapse, but research shows body condition score and perineal score need to be part of the solution.
Tackling rotaviral challenges is shifting away from simply treating an outbreak, to more aggressive preventive measures today.
Eight years ago, the pork industry took a hard look at mortality in all phases of production, realizing that 35% of pigs born in the U.S. never enter the human food chain. Here’s a look at how the industry is improving livability today.
Tags are shipped directly from Merck Animal Health to your premises with no middle steps, ultimately expediting getting tags into producers’ hands and pigs’ ears.
As more breeding herds shift to housing sows in groups, the need for validating practical and cost-effective disease surveillance protocols in this population is greater than ever. A recent Iowa State University study offers best practices.
A new index, built upon data from more than 30,000 sows across global herds, is designed to prove a correlation between claw lesions and sow productivity. Zinpro says the index allows producers to catch issues early before they impact pig performance.
Rachel Kontz set out to evaluate how two common industry practices interact and affect disease management and biosecurity.
Erin Brenneman says there’s something the industry needs to talk about — the critical importance of individualized day-one care during farrowing.
Although entering the pen to verify colostrum production may seem time-consuming or disruptive, a recent study shows this step can significantly impact piglet survival and sow utilization.
The U.S. pork industry continues to find ways to improve pig livability. The newly released Production Analysis Summary for U.S. Pork Industry: 2020-2024 shows improvements made and progress needed.
Research shows oxytocin can be a tool to increase the proportion of piglets achieving adequate immunity within the critical first hours of life.
A welfare-conscious system for delivering feedback material to group-housed sows provided 51% exposure within two hours in a new study.
Is split suckling worth it if the research doesn’t show a consistent benefit? Abigail Jenkins offers 3 better ways farm staff can invest time to help pigs and sows thrive.
Early intervention with opportunity sows can help your operation wean more full-value pigs.
The industry has experienced quite an evolution in how sows are fed, says Mike Tokach. Now isn’t the time to stop finding ways to make that process better.
With so many uncontrollable costs in the swine industry, everyone wants to find ways to do more with less. A recent study shows how to get more energy out of high-fiber ingredients.
Protecting sow herds begins long before anyone walks through the barn door. The feed mill, and the trucks that deliver your feed, can either serve as a strong first line of defense or as a major source of risk.
When activists are again successful at persuading a state to adopt anything different than Prop 12’s housing requirements, the wholesale revision of farm practices and contracts will start all over again.
APHIS awarded a contract to Merck Animal Health to supply up to $20 million in tags to sow and exhibition swine industry segments, over the next five years.
She’s arguably one of the most valuable investments on your farm, driving performance from farrowing to finish. How do we keep it that way?
The legs and the feet create the interaction between the animal and the environment, allowing the animal to go to feed, look for water and reproduce.
Research shows a new way to improve piglet performance, move more pigs out the door, and potentially reduce the economic burden of health challenges.
Sows get sick despite our best efforts. But how does this impact the piglet — especially as it relates to muscle development, feed efficiency and meat yield and quality?
A new year provides an opportunity to reflect upon the previous year. In business, it’s also a great time to strategize. Here are a few opportunities to consider.