The latest edition of Pig Progress is now available online. This edition highlights how China’s pig industry has stablised, zooms in on Africa’s role in global meat and egg production, and features a Danish farm that has moved away from floor feeding. Also, did pig farming send Salmonella around the world, and can amino acids help reduce piglet diarrhoea? This and more.
It’s back to normal for China’s pig industry
Accounting for half of global pig production, China’s pig industry is facing a new reality. For the first time since the devastating outbreaks of African Swine Fever, the Chinese market has stablised – supply and demand are in relative balance, and producers are making money. Read more on pages 6-9.
Africa – supply problems despite remarkable dynamics
Asia, South America, and Africa have shown remarkable dynamics in the past decade, both in population growth and meat and egg production. In this article on pages 10-12 focusses on Africa.
Column: Benefits of creep feed intake
A long-established feeding practise in the farrowing room is the provision of ‘creep feed’, which means the provision of feed to piglets while they are suckling the sow. What are the benefits? Animal nutrition expert Dr Francesc Molist of Schothorst Feed Research shares his knowledge on page 13.
Piglet diarrhoea: Can amino acid supplementation help?
Amino acid supplementation can prevent or reduce the incidence of post-weaning diarrhoea in piglets. This article on pages 16-17 explores the most commonly used amino acids in pig diets and their impact on piglet diarrhoea.
Farm visit: Saving feed and costs by feeding more accurately
Danish producers Tina Frederiksen and her husband Steen decided to move away from floor feeding for their sows and installed feeding stations instead. Precision feeding is expected to reduce feed waste and lower feed costs. Take a look on pages 20-23.
Pig farming sent Salmonella around the world
Historical changes in pig farming led to the global spread of Salmonella resistant to antibiotics. This is the outcome of a new international study led by researchers at the University of Warwick in the UK. Rea more on pages 24-25.
A suitable farrowing pen for every situation
As societal pressure grows, conventional farrowing crates are increasingly being discussed. This article looks at 5 suppliers of free farrowing pens and what is considered important in terms of the design. There are, however, differences of opinion. Pages 28-31.
Column: Lameness and rubber mats
Lameness in breeding sows is a significant challenge. On page 36, health and welfare expert Dr Monique Pairis-Garcia points to recent research in the US where novel approaches are being tested to avoid group housing being the cause of lameness.