Pig Progress goes on-farm in Vietnam in latest issue
In the 1st edition of Pig Progress in 2018, we take a look behind the scenes at a large farm near Ho Chi Minh City, we focused on Big Data use with finisher pigs and we wondered what is the difference between growth promotion and disease prevention.
Vietnam is one of the world’s most interesting pig countries – a booming economy, a strong appetite for pig meat, endless opportunities and a huge pork-loving neighbour: China. Especially that last aspect causes volatility.
In case China wants Vietnamese pork, there just can’t be enough pigs. But what if China decides to close its borders? What happens to the pig market then? At Tan Uyen farm, editor Vincent ter Beek learned about the practical implications on-farm. Page 16-18
Traceability and antibiotics
The usage of antibiotics is being decreased worldwide – and it helps to know at marketing which animals received a treatment and which didn’t. Something like that can be easily monitored using ear tags in finisher pigs.
Livestock equipment company Asserva is working on a system which makes this possible. Editor Vincent ter Beek interviewed the company’s CEO Dominique Cantin to find out more. Page 10-12
Disease prevention vs growth promotion
In many countries, growth promotion purposes for antibiotics are being reduced by law. Sometimes, however, it is difficult to estimate where growth promotion stops and disease prevention begins. Jessica Ramsden of Elanco explains. Page 22-23
Long term effects of creep feeding
One way of reducing antibiotic usage is to make sure that the pigs are better prepared for weaning and life thereafter. Increasingly it is becoming clear that creep feeding can play an important role in this respect. Its effects last much longer than ‘just’ before and around weaning, as explained by Nestor Gutierrez, Gavin Boerboom and Theo van Kempen, Trouw Nutrition. Page 20-21
Producing pigs in Malawi
In our series ‘Country Focus’, Pig Progress reports from Sub-Saharan Malawi this month. Emmanuel Muwamba, communications officer at Comsip, explains challenges and opportunities – and why Malawi’s pig business has been on the rise recently. Pages 6-7
Heat stress in pigs
Heat stress is a growing problem in tropical areas in the world. Author Thierry Thomas discusses how with clever management, pig farmers can prepare better. An article we ran in the last issue as well – but then wrong figures were included. At pages 8-9 the correct version can be read.
Columns: attention for sows
John Gadd’s column this month is once more devoted to the importance of implantation. He picks up where he left it in the final issue of last year in a contribution that is full of insightful illustrations. Page 13
Sows are also key to Monique Pairis-Garcia’s column: she touches on the Sow Housing Conference which is taking place this week in Columbus, OH, United States. Page 26
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