MAGAZINE Pig Progress: Danish pride and African opportunities

The farm visit takes readers to Viborg, in northern Denmark. For all those pork producers who are looking for inspiration on how to convert their breeding facilities into group housing – here’s an example of a farmer who made the challenge into a success. What was his solution and how did he do it?

 

Biogenic amines – this is the promising subject of a prize-winning lecture by Dr Yannig Le Treut and its text is featured in this issue of Pig Progress. They are defined as ‘toxic compounds produced during the putrefaction of easily degradable feed and food’ – and make an appearance in liquid feed. How to deal with them?

 

The concept of gel feeding can best be described as a ‘liquid feed supplement’ for just-weaned piglets. Designed and marketed by Delacon, possibilities for this approach to feeding is further explored.

 

Columnist John Gadd has been very proliferative this month – his monthly contribution contains some healthy calculations on costs of rescue decks.

 

Why consider alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters? First, it is important to prevent the introduction of pathogens by better management, writes Dr Albert van Dijk, Provimi. Only then it’s time to think of natural feed additives.

 

Asia is the place to be at the moment, but what about Africa? Silently, global agricultural attention is going to the ‘forgotten continent’ as well. Authors Dr Aidan Connolly and Dr Mark Lyons explain what the renewed attention for Africa has led to so far – and what opportunities lie ahead.

 

Once more, back to Denmark. Looking back to the first edition of NutriFair, in Fredericia, the next steps in breeding welfare management have become visible. What is freedom farrowing and what solutions are available?

 

A new section, called Company Focus, zooms in on relevant developments in the business surrounding the international pig industry. This month a zoom towards Hamlet Protein, having opened a second plant in the USA. Where, why and how?

 

Phytase efficacy in diets may be compromised if they are supplemented by high doses of zinc oxide. How this works exactly, is explained by Dr Rosil Lizardo, IRTA, Spain in the Expert Talk section.

 

Last but not least, there is also nutrition input for pork producers looking for answers related to feeding gestating sows.