New issue of Pig Progress focuses on heat stress

First things first – the heat stress. Editor Vincent ter Beek interviewed Prof Bruno Silva of the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, in Brazil. The country often has to make do with pig genetics that are shipped from abroad and that may not always be fully accommodated to tropical climates. Now what are Prof Silva’s own experiences with heat stress in sows – and what kind of solutions does he propose to alleviate the effects of heat stress? Pages 14-16

Argentina: hot in more than one sense

Heat is also jumping off the pages in our Country Focus series. Contributor Angelina Bruno analysed the booming situation in Argentina this month and what better illustration to use than a flaming barbecue full of sausages? Pages 6-7

Photo: Photo: Shutterstock

AI in groups – it is possible

Back to the sows, as there is more to say about them in this edition. Colleague Erik Ordelman visited the Kropp farm in Germany to observe a quite unique management approach. Owner Tim Kropp usually performs AI with his sows when they are in group housing. And yes, he’s happy with the results. Interesting to see how that works in practice? Flick to pages 20-21.

Sow insemination: Tim Kropp does not have any stalls and simply inseminates the animals while walking loose in the group. Photo: Michel Velderman

GreenFeed is a dealer of PIC genetics in Vietnam – but they have a successful integration business as well. The company even markets its own meat through online portals and delivery by motorcycle. Correspondent Stuart Lumb took a look – read the story on pages 12-13.

GreenFeed staff doing last checks before insemination of dry sows. Photo: GreenFeed

Which feed components might be bitter for pigs?

When feed tastes bitter for pigs, the animals may not be as keen to consume it. So is it possible to actually avoid bitterness? Dr Gemma Tedo and Dr Sofia Morais, on behalf of Spanish feed additives company Lucta analyse several bitter compounds. Pages 8-9

How to deal with bitterness for pigs. Photo: Hans Banus

Pig Progress also looks back to the recent edition of the European Symposium for Pig Health Management, held in Barcelona, Spain, last May. From African Swine Fever to biosecurity and from smallholders to large litters – a lot of different topics were discussed. Read them back on pages 24-26.

How to keep African Swine Fever out?

Th fact that African Swine Fever is creeping west bit by bit in European wild boar populations is no secret these days. Luckily, the virus is not very infectious and with proper biosecurity measures it is possible to stay away from ASF-related problems. Correspondent Matthew Wedzerai sums up some do’s and don’ts. Pages 28-29

Every visitor should be provided with specific clothes and footwear to be used and left on the farm. Photo: Henk Riswick

Like every edition, also this edition has a number of interesting columns. On page 17, John Gadd touches on the question whether or not airbags are suitable for sows kept in groups on straw – and Dr Monique Pairis-Garcia looks back to a refreshing event in Denmark, discussing group housing for sows during lactation, page 34.