Detection of economically important viruses in boar semen by quantitative RealTime PCR technology
By van Rijn PA, Wellenberg GJ, Hakze-van der Honing R, Jacobs L, Moonen PL, Feitsma H, Central Institute for Animal Disease Control - The objective of this study was to develop quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (ReTi-PCR) tests for the...

Factors that affect Feet and Leg Soundness
By Todd See, NCSU Swine Extension - The National Animal Health Monitoring System (2001) reports that structural, including feet and leg problems, unsoundness is the reason for removal of 16 percent of the culled swine breeding herd and accounts for 7.3...

Planate - Consistent planned induction of farrowing
By David G S Burch BVetMed MRCVS, Octagon Services Ltd - The use of prostaglandins for the controlled induction of farrowing has been successfully and widely used over many years. The advantages are to improve batching of farrowing and to induce farrowing...

The Disease Status of the UK Pig Industry
By David Strachan MA VetMB BSc PhD MRCVS SAC Veterinary Services, Aberdeen, UK. Published 2nd November 2004.

Tech Talk: Topical tips for better pig health
Tech Talk is produced by the Meat and Livestock Commission (MLC) on behalf of the British Pig Executive - Improving pig health and productivity was the hot topic at a Society of Feed Technologists (SFT) conference. The feed sector is a vital element in...

UK/EU Pig Statistics - October 2004
This article provides an overview of the latest statistics relating to pigs in the UK and Europe and includes Slaughter figures, Carcase weights, Pigmeat production, trade and supplies and UK and EU Prices and value of pigs. Extracted from the quarterly...

Production responses of weaned pigs after chronic exposure to airborne dust and ammonia
By Wathes, C.M and published by the Prairie Swine Center - In this study, nine hundred and sixty weaned pigs were exposed for 5.5 weeks to controlled concentrations of airborne dust and ammonia in a single, multi-factorial experiment.

Needle-Free Immunization as Effective as Needle and Syringe Method
By Dr. Phil Willson, Ph.D., Program Manager, Vaccine Development, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Organization. Published by Manitoba Pork Council - This study indicates that immunization by needle-free injection with the needle-free delivery system results...

What can Europe expect when the growth promoters are finally withdrawn on January 1st 2006?
By David Burch, Octagon Services Ltd. - Metal-based feed additives such as copper sulphate and zinc oxide have already had there inclusion levels restricted to nutritional levels only, from January 1st 2004 and the use of copper as a growth promoter has...

New approach to battling PRRS virus
By Robert Fieldhouse, Ontario Pork - A viral menace called the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus has plagued the hog industry for the past decade, causing major health problems for pregnant sows and piglets - and major economic...

Improved humoral immune-response seen in Alphamune^TM G trial
By Alpharma Animal Health - This trial was conducted to monitor serum immuno-globuline levels in pigs supplemented with Alphamune G.

UK Pig Disease Quarterly Surveillance Report - August 2004
By Veterinary Laboratories Agency - This report monitors trends in the major endemic pig diseases and utilises the farmfile and VIDA (Veterinary Investigation Disease Analysis) databases. The report is compiled using disease data gathered by the network...

Managing Welfare Audit Systems
By Banff Pork - This report contains 3 articles presented at the Banff Pork Seminar 2004 This report focuses on proceedings concerning the history of animal welfare pressures.

Pig Keeping Guide in the UK
By Defra - Whether you keep one pet pig or a commercial herd of pigs you need to be registered with Defra. This article is a step-by-step guide to register fully with Defra.

Effect of Social Group Size on Aggressive Behaviour of Grower-finisher Pigs
By Thusith S. Samarakone and Harold W. Gonyou, Prairie Swine Centre Inc. Published by Bacon Bits, Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development - The effect of large group size on the social behaviour of pigs is poorly understood. A study was conducted...