Articles - Management

We are launching a series of articles that will delve into a new practice that has already been implemented on several farms in Spain and is being adopted by others: 5-week batches.

The constant search for solutions to challenges in management, health, reproduction, nutrition, and feeding—and their interactions—should be a technical principle if we aim to maximize the genetic potential of our farms.

In this third installment, Antonio Palomo summarizes the papers presented on reproduction, nutrition, precision livestock farming, and other aspects of swine production.

This farmer made a movable metal barrier that leans against the wall when not in use so it doesn't get in the way.

The overall risk of a PRRS outbreak is 12 times higher during the first 15 days after pumping manure than the rest of the year.

This tip involves using an aluminum panel to close the aisles during heat checking.

Antonio Palomo summarizes the presentations from the latest AASV, ranging from the future of the veterinary profession to the eradication of diseases, hog prices, and experiences in improving pig survival.

it is vitally important to be aware of the difficulties that this process can entail. Consequently, considerations must be made to ensure a good outcome.

The consequences of suspending castration on the rate of destructured hams are poorly understood. An IFIP study shows the frequency of this defect is around 19%.

This simple trick blocks pigs from going between the inside and outside pens, making them easier to handle.

From their respective academic and on-farm perspectives, Josep Gasa and Josep Casanovas comment on a recent study about the effect of postweaning feed intake.

It is a matter of considering animal welfare, workplace ergonomics, respect for the environment, and societal expectations.

We focus on moving surplus piglets, which forces us to use nurse sows. We explain two ways to do this in a very visual video.

In the previous article, we learned about the concept of feed safety, its impact on swine production, and the responsibility of the compound feed industry in the food chain. Now we will focus on how to practically apply this concept in the compound feed production process.

Straw is the best enrichment material to meet pigs' needs. How can we provide it?

A deep introspection from the perspective of our staff.

We propose a more direct indicator to look at and analyze reproductive problems on the farm.

Drying and warming the piglets favors their survival only in farrowing units with moderate or suboptimal temperatures (<25ºC).

We talked to Jonatan Sánchez-Osorio, Technical Director of Topigs Norsvin Spain, about the essential points in managing sows from this genetic line.

In France, the ban on castration of pigs without pain relief, i.e. without anesthesia, has been in force since January 1, 2022, and this has led to the production of entire male pigs. The main difficulty with this type of production lies in the risk of unpleasant odors being present in the meat from these animals.

A small cart is parked at the end of the aisle of each farrowing room, just below a dry feed distribution line.

Today's swine industry depends on a supply of properly balanced feed, the quality and safety of which are critical to pig health, welfare, and maximum productive performance.

Spain is the first EU country to legislate the installation of video surveillance systems in slaughterhouses, following the example of England, Scotland, and Israel.

A plastic safety fence, like those used in construction, is used to create a barrier between the doors, allowing one person to control sow movement.