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Breeding Herd, FSVS, Global TOP NEWS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Podcasts, SVC, TOP NEWS, Videos
Deen: Batch farrowing requires ‘different mindset’
Dec 16, 2020Susan SpiegelComments Off on Deen: Batch farrowing requires ‘different mindset’
It appears batch farrowing is making a comeback, according to John Deen, DVM, PhD, distinguished global professor at the University of Minnesota.
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Batch farrowing makes a comeback on small- to medium-sized sow farms
Apr 22, 2020Susan SpiegelComments Off on Batch farrowing makes a comeback on small- to medium-sized sow farms
The practice of farrowing sows in groups and not continuously is making a reappearance as small- to medium-sized sow farms seek ways to stay competitive.
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Breeding Herd, Global TOP NEWS, Growing Pigs, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, TOP NEWS, Videos
Lowering pre-wean mortality starts at day 1
Feb 03, 2020Susan SpiegelComments Off on Lowering pre-wean mortality starts at day 1
Pre-wean mortality continues to be a challenge to producers across the industry as genetic improvements allow sows to be more prolific and achieve higher total born.
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Breeding Herd, Global TOP NEWS, Growing Pigs, Interviews, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Podcasts, TOP NEWS, Videos
Strategies to move more pigs from birth to harvest
Jan 10, 2020Susan SpiegelComments Off on Strategies to move more pigs from birth to harvest
Litter sizes on US hog farms have steadily increased, but that’s a good-news/bad-news development as those large litters often come at a price, which is more low-birthweight piglets.
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Breeding Herd, FSVS, Global TOP NEWS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Podcasts, SVC, TOP NEWS, Videos
Researchers tackle survivability issues head-on
Nov 14, 2019Susan SpiegelComments Off on Researchers tackle survivability issues head-on
One in three pigs born on US farms fail to reach market, according to Jason Ross, PhD, a professor of animal physiology at Iowa State University and director of the Iowa Pork Industry Center.
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Breeding Herd, Global TOP NEWS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Podcasts, Respiratory Health, SVC, TOP NEWS, Videos
Mycoplasma elimination possible, but more difficult on farrow-to-finish sites
Nov 11, 2019Susan SpiegelComments Off on Mycoplasma elimination possible, but more difficult on farrow-to-finish sites
With the right program in place, eliminating mycoplasma pneumonia is possible on many hog farms.
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Breeding Herd, Global TOP NEWS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, SVC, TOP NEWS, Videos
Sow pads show promise for reducing shoulder sores, related infections
Nov 03, 2019Susan SpiegelComments Off on Sow pads show promise for reducing shoulder sores, related infections
During farrowing and lactation, sows can easily develop shoulder sores, which in turn become infected. Could a little padding help?
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Positive interactions with sows reduce piglet crushing
Aug 13, 2019Susan SpiegelComments Off on Positive interactions with sows reduce piglet crushing
Encouraging staff to have more direct involvement with managing and handling sows can have positive impacts on herd welfare and mortality rates, say scientists.
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Perineal scoring first clue to pelvic-organ prolapse in sow-mortality project
Apr 26, 2019Susan SpiegelComments Off on Perineal scoring first clue to pelvic-organ prolapse in sow-mortality project
A large research project involving 104 US sow farms and 400,000 sows is expected to identify factors related to the recent increase in sow mortalities caused by pelvic-organ prolapses.
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Why did sow-mortality rates jump to 15%?
Apr 04, 2019Susan SpiegelComments Off on Why did sow-mortality rates jump to 15%?
The spike in sow-mortality rates over the past decade has prompted the US pork industry to hunt for answers.
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Breeding Herd, Global TOP NEWS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, TOP NEWS, Videos
Inflammation, stress put pressure on sow longevity
Mar 25, 2019Susan SpiegelComments Off on Inflammation, stress put pressure on sow longevity
In recent years, producers have focused on pigs per sow per year and number of pigs weaned to maximize profits, but increased litter size puts pressure on sow longevity.
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Carthage vets focusing on ‘regional’ IAV-S vaccination strategies for breeding herds
Mar 16, 2019Susan SpiegelComments Off on Carthage vets focusing on ‘regional’ IAV-S vaccination strategies for breeding herds
As influenza viruses evolve, is there a more effective way to manage vaccinations for influenza A virus in swine?
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Breeding Herd, Global TOP NEWS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, TOP NEWS, Videos
Why sows leave the herd: Biological priorities and productivity
Feb 27, 2019Susan SpiegelComments Off on Why sows leave the herd: Biological priorities and productivity
When it comes to sow productivity, culling and mortality issues, “the simple answer is there’s no simple answer,” John Deen, DVM, University of Minnesota swine epidemiologist, told Pig Health...
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Connor: No clear winner in pen- versus crate-gestation debate
Jan 22, 2019Susan SpiegelComments Off on Connor: No clear winner in pen- versus crate-gestation debate
Sow housing during gestation continues to draw debate as some hog operations make a switch from crates to pens for gestation. The results are mixed.
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Yeske: Multiple factors contributing to rising sow-mortality rates
Jan 14, 2019Susan SpiegelComments Off on Yeske: Multiple factors contributing to rising sow-mortality rates
The spike in sow-mortality rates in recent years has everyone in the US pork industry searching for answers. Don’t expect any simple solutions, however.
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Strep suis resurfacing to challenge high-health herds
Oct 11, 2018Susan SpiegelComments Off on Strep suis resurfacing to challenge high-health herds
What’s old is new again — or at least that’s what some high-health herds are finding with Streptococcus suis (Strep suis).
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Piglets are key subpopulation in keeping IAV-S circulating
May 18, 2018Susan SpiegelComments Off on Piglets are key subpopulation in keeping IAV-S circulating
When it comes to influenza A virus in swine (IAV-S), the relationship between the sow’s immune status and piglet protection remains perplexing.
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Yeske: Mycoplasma elimination ‘always a good strategy’
May 17, 2018Susan SpiegelComments Off on Yeske: Mycoplasma elimination ‘always a good strategy’
Eliminating mycoplasma from a herd works well with a fast payback, even in hog-dense areas, according to research conducted by Paul Yeske, DVM, Swine Vet Center, St. Peter, Minnesota.
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What’s driving the surge in sow mortality?
Apr 13, 2018Susan SpiegelComments Off on What’s driving the surge in sow mortality?
Sow mortality in US herds has trended upward in recent years, and identifying the reasons has frustrated producers and veterinarians alike.
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Batch farrowing offers smaller sow farms improved disease control
Apr 04, 2018Susan SpiegelComments Off on Batch farrowing offers smaller sow farms improved disease control
Independent sow farms grouped together and using batch farrowing may be able to capture the same health advantages as a 5,000-sow farm with all-in, all-out production.
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Biosecurity, Breeding Herd, Emerging Diseases, Global TOP NEWS, Interviews, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Podcasts, TOPICS, Videos
Cull-sow market endangers foreign animal-disease prevention
Mar 12, 2018Susan SpiegelComments Off on Cull-sow market endangers foreign animal-disease prevention
The US cull-sow market could threaten containment plans if a foreign animal-disease (FAD) outbreak occurred in the US, according to Jim Lowe, DVM, associate professor at the University of Illinois.
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Breeding Herd, Global TOP NEWS, Growing Pigs, Interviews, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Podcasts, Respiratory Health, TOP NEWS, Videos
How long do mycoplasma-negative herds stay negative?
Feb 19, 2018Susan SpiegelComments Off on How long do mycoplasma-negative herds stay negative?
Most hog farms successfully stamp out mycoplasma pneumonia when they work with their veterinarian to eliminate the disease. The challenge is preventing reinfection.
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Boar stud requires high health status, zero tolerance for biosecurity errors
Dec 21, 2017Susan SpiegelComments Off on Boar stud requires high health status, zero tolerance for biosecurity errors
A boar stud producing semen for thousands of sows needs to maintain excellent health with the highest level of biosecurity possible.
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What you need to know about CSI auditors
Oct 12, 2017Susan SpiegelComments Off on What you need to know about CSI auditors
Anyone who owns hogs or hog buildings should expect a visit someday by an auditor who will conduct an animal-welfare and food-safety audit. Usually a packer or processor requests the audit, which is...