To determine the causes of the increase in the feed conversion ratio of pigs, we must start by asking whether mortality has also increased.

The industry must be working for the best and preparing for the worst, and that includes what happens if ASF enters.

Expert insight on the choice of strategy in controlling the spread of ASF.

France and Luxembourg are in the firing line to be the next European countries invaded by ASF after its confirmation in Germany in 2020, says one of Europe’s most experienced specialists on the disease.

Why is it important to take sow temperatures after farrowing? How does feed intake affect litter size?

Preventing the entry and spread of diseases should be an objective on any swine farm, so adequately designing biosecurity aspects is key. In this article, we continue to discuss biosecurity measures with two experts: Lara Ruiz and José Casanovas.

On large farms, the first animals to become ill and die from ASF may be missed unless there is an appropriate passive surveillance system that targets dead and diseased animals.

Does co-mingling during lactation benefit piglets in the long term? See how socialisation influences pigs behaviour and physiology.

If my farrowing rate is low but I don't have empty sows or abortions, I must consider the culled pregnant sows.

In this article, we look at which elements of biosecurity should be considered in the design of a sow farm, although they are applicable to any farm.

In March 2021, a high percentage of severe lameness appeared in 12 to 17-day-old piglets, approximately 20% of the piglets present.

The most frequent problems are reproductive and locomotive. What should I do if the percent among sows serviced is greater than 2%?

How should you decide if your current routines on colostrum are working? How much intake is enough?

What should I do if the percentage of empty sows among the sows serviced is greater than 1%?

What could be causing abortions that are not seasonal and that are not affecting a certain phase of gestation in particular?

User responses of the 333 survey on gestation length in sows reveal gestations are trending around 115.5 days.

What could be causing the abortions happening at a particular point in the gestation?

Key biosecurity messages to move dead pigs out of the clean area of the farm to the deadstock management area prior to their treatment: external deadstock container, incinerator or hydrolysis container.

Pros and cons of rendering carcass disposal systems, alkaline hydrolysis, anaerobic digestion, gasification, and homogenization.

Since 2017 the number of gilts coming into heat (with standing reflex) has gradually fallen to levels less than 50-60% of the gilts ready to be inseminated...

What can I do if the abortion rate is greater than 2% and the abortions are concentrated around a specific time of year? How can I combat seasonal abortions?

Pros and cons of the most used carcass disposal systems: burial, composting, incineration, and rendering. Impacts on environment and biosecurity.

When multiparous sows are affected, not as many need to be culled as in the case of gilts (which we saw in the last article). Generally sows will eventually show signs of heat, but with a considerable delay compared to a normal heat.

Why are there more abortions occurring in first parity sows?

Lack of estrus in gilts is a common cause for culling, which increases the need for gilts and the cost of gilts. Let's take a look a what causes anestrus:

This article lists the main non-infectious causes that can lead to irregular returns to estrus.

Porcine Parvovirus was thought to be genetically stable, but now we know that it exists in a variety of forms, raising fresh questions about its control in sow herds.

This article covers the main sow-related factors that can cause regular returns to estrus.

Pork producers and veterinarians need to be aware that the porcine parvovirus (PPV) has been evolving into new strains.