Swine Resources - Breeding/Reproduction

November 2022

There are animal welfare concerns about the continued use of permanent crating systems for farrowing and lactating sows, which is the most prevalent maternity system in global pig production. Greater societal attention in recent years has culminated in changes (or proposed changes) to regulations as well as market-driven initiatives to move away from crated systems. Transitioning from farrowing crates to systems that allow the sow greater freedom of movement and behavioral expression requires a number of key decisions, with various trade-offs apparent when trying to balance the needs of different stakeholders. This review discusses these decisions based on common questions asked by farmers, policy makers and other stakeholders when deciding on a new system to build/approve. Based on the latest scientific evidence and practical insight, decisions such as: whether to retrofit an existing barn or build a new one, what spatial dimensions are necessary per sow place, whether to adopt free farrowing or temporary crating, how to provide substrate/enrichment and be hygienic and environmentally friendly, and how to optimize the human inputs and transition between systems are considered. The aim of this paper is to provide a roadmap for those interested in uptake of higher welfare systems and practices, as well as to highlight areas requiring further optimization and research.

The full article can be found here.

Emma M. Baxter, Vivi A. Moustsen, Sébastien Goumon, Gudrun Illmann, Sandra A. Edwards
Front. Vet. Sci., 14 November 2022
Sec. Animal Behavior and Welfare
Volume 9 - 2022 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.998192

January 24, 2023

For the first time ever, researchers have proven through a controlled study that boars can infect gilts with African swine fever (ASF) through artificial insemination (AI). As the threat of the deadly ASF virus continues to inch closer to the U.S., more research is being conducted to help prevent and prepare for an ASF outbreak.

To date, little has been done to study the risk of boar semen.

February 2022

The application of cloprostenol after farrowing improved fertility rates and reduced non-productive days.

August 2021

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

June 2021

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

March 2021

When using thawing extender at pH 8, there was enhanced post-thawing sperm motility and preservation of motility as storage time advanced.

January 2021

Postnatal differences in the reproductive potential of growth restricted females are programmed early in gestation.

December 2020

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

The evolution of PPV and its implications for swine health management are discussed by Professor André Felipe Streck of the Institute of Biotechnology at the University of Caxias do Sul in southern Brazil.

December 2020

The proper addition of taurine to the semen extender suppresses sperm damage and subsequent dysfunction during liquid preservation.

November 2020

Reproductive tract scoring methods as a tool for identify gilts with improved productivity as breeding herd females.