Explore all the information onSwine management
Pig production is the systematic rearing of pig breeds on scientifically based management principles for economic benefit. The main objectives of pig production are to provide consumers with pig meat and related products and to generate income for farmers.
Pig production plays a significant role in the livestock industry, providing an important source of protein and other valuable products. The systematic approach to pig rearing ensures that the pigs are healthy and well-cared for, which in turn leads to better quality products and higher yields. The focus on scientific principles and efficient management helps to reduce waste and increase profitability for farmers.
A swine producer who masters the art of good management has excellent profit opportunities. This is especially true with disease prevention and control. A healthy herd of good-growing, quality breeding animals — adequately fed and housed — provides maximum profit opportunities for the owner who does not over-spend for facilities and/or feed.
1. Introduction The sustainability of pasture-based animal production systems has social, environmental and economic implications. Grasslands provide low cost feed for livestock, mainly ruminants, becoming the basis for production and livelihoods in many rural areas of the world [1]. Sustainable grazing systems are grounded on the principles of improving the cycle of nutrients of grassland ecosystems, enhancing the vegetation, increasing the biodiversity and improving the...
1. Introduction Livestock represent a form of cash security of the livelihood strategies of many poor and disadvantaged rural and peri-urban communities in Ghana [1-3]. For farmers, livestock play a central role in their socio-economic and cultural identity and are a source of food, employment, food security and also assets for store or trade [4, 5]. Table 1 shows the current shortfalls, demand and production levels of...
Introduction The U.S. swine industry is facing a significant change in production practices regarding gestation sow housing. Many pork producers across the United States are shifting from housing gestating sows in individual stalls to a group housing system. This is driven by animal welfare concerns, state legislatures, and food companies’ demands. Electronic sow feeding (ESF) is one option for feeding gestating sows within a group housing system. Electronic sow...
1. Introduction The scope of this review is limited to agricultural concrete and metallic structures exposed to a corrosive environment. The content of the review paper includes the following topics and subtopics: agricultural concrete and metallic structures (impact of poultry, cattle, and swine manure), specific impact of corrosion on steel structures, corrosion, and degradation of metallic structures (corrosion in the farm environment, activity of fungi and bacteria,...
1. Introduction Ammonia (NH 3 ) release in livestock buildings originates from the nitrogen content in the urine and feces deposited in pits or on the building floor surfaces with or without bedding material [1]. Currently, NH 3 , together with hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) is one of the most critical pollutants for pig production [2–4] because of its direct relationship with animal and workers’ welfare and health [3–6]. Accordingly,...
1. Introduction Meat consumers have shown an increasing interest in purchasing products from more sustainable production systems that are considered more respectful of the environment and of animal welfare [1,2]. Those systems reduce the use of agrochemicals and fossil fuels, encourage the rescue of local animal genetic resources, and contribute to the strengthening of local communities [3]. This reorientation promotes the creation and consolidation of niche markets. Niche pork...
1. Introduction
The new millennium brought a worldwide growing interest for animal welfare [1]. The livestock sector reacted by developing recommendations relevant to the wellbeing of farm animals, consequently encouraging producers to adopt and implement them. Additionally, consumer demand for better production practices contributed to the development of responsible production systems in which animal welfare principles are incorporated into daily management...
The global pork production is expected to rise by 10% over the next decade. Given, however, that pig farmers worldwide are currently struggling to keep up with increasingly stringent regulations on nitrogen (N) pollution emission, now is clearly not the time to rest on our laurels,...
1. Introduction Given an appropriate space allowance, along with optimal environmental conditions, indoor finishing pigs will generally establish specific and separate areas within a pen to undertake lying and dunging behaviour. Achieving such separation of these functional areas can promote hygiene and welfare of the animals, with the accompanying potential to improve sustainable food production. However, if the internal environment fails to provide optimal conditions...
1. Introduction Environmental impacts derived from livestock production have received increasing attention in recent times [1], with pig production being one of the main contributors [2]. However, extensive systems generate a lower level of pollution than other livestock systems [3]. Many studies estimated the level of these impacts for conventional pig production through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), which is the most recognized methodology to do so [4]. One of the main...
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is launching a disposal assistance program to help pork producers who are unable to harvest pigs due to COVID-19 supply chain disruptions.
“COVID-19 has caused unprecedented, ongoing disruptions to the food supply chain,” said Secretary Naig. “Pork producers are going to extraordinary lengths to donate pork to food banks and identify other markets for...
Introduction Currently in Brazil there are no standardized housing systems for weaned pigs, and therefore, a big range of different facilities are observed in pig farms. Although some studies have evaluated individual risk factors related to health status and growth performance (MORES et al., 1998; DALLA COSTA et al., 2000), studies regarding the evaluation of risk factors in housing conditions and their interaction with...
Introduction In the early twentieth century, Ivanow reported the use of the artificial insemination technique (AI) in pig(1,2). However, the commercial application of AI began at the 1980s(3). Its success can be attributed to improvement in the boar:sow ratio, increase of the impact of individual boars in both genetic progress and reproductive efficiency; and limited spread of venereal diseases. Improvement in animal management and quality controls of semen doses and their...
INTRODUCTION
Gas, odor, and particulate concentrations and emissions have been, and will continue to be, targeted components of livestock and poultry production systems. Local units of government (counties and townships) have or are considering the establishment of setback requirements from rural residences and livestock operations to prevent odor and other nuisance complaints. State and...
As a result of COVID-19, veterinarians need to look at biosecurity in new ways. As practitioners we have to focus on protecting pigs and maintaining the economic viability of the farm. We are trained to deal with zoonotic diseases with a primary goal of protecting ourselves, our clients, and the food supply chain. Yet, now we are being asked to think more broadly, more holistically as an occupational (One Health) specialist, thinking about the health of farm employees, their families, and...
COVID-19
Coronavirus Disease 2019, also known as COVID-19, caused by the virus Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a “person-to-person” disease. Efforts must be directed at protecting the health of personnel, and their families, involved in the care of animals, and supporting the operation of the farms, and the overall food production supply chain (e.g., feed distribution, feed mills, slaughter plants, truck drivers,...
My intention in preparing this article is to bring to the knowledge of the community involved in the production of pigs, which based on a research program conducted with pigs of different sexes, which is feasible and advantageous for the producer, to explore the earning capacity compensatory weight of pigs, in the growth and finishing phases I and II.
The experiments to which we refer were conducted with castrated male pigs, immunocastrated males and females, selected at the end of...
INTRODUCTION Modern livestock production is characterized by intensification, i.e., a higher number of animals per farm. To achieve successful intensification of livestock production, without negative effects on animals, farmers and farms, certain requirements need to be met. One of these requirements for intensification of livestock production is the capability of the farmer to take care of a larger number of animals. This requires healthy and easy-to-manage animals that need...
Dr. Mary Battrell, Staff Veterinarian, Smithfield Hog Production, gave tjhis presentation during the 2018 NIAA Antibiotic Symposium: New Science & Technology Tools for Antibiotic Stewardship....