Porcine Immunology - The innate immune system
By Eileen Thacker, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, Iowa State University and published by The Pig Journal - To improve the veterinarian’s and student’s knowledge and understanding of the rapidly evolving field of immunology,...

Porcine Immunology: Lymphocyte development and maturation
By Eileen Thacker, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, Iowa State University and published by The Pig Journal - To continue to develop the knowledge and understanding of veterinary porcine immunology, we are very grateful to...

Porcine Immunology: The battle between the immune system and pathogens
By Eileen Thacker, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, Iowa State University and published by The Pig Journal - To improve the veterinarian’s and student’s knowledge and understanding of the rapidly evolving field of immunology,...

Depopulation: The importance of doing it properly
By DuPont Animal Health Solutions - There are now a number of programmes for eliminating diseases from pig units but they are doomed to failure unless the pathogens are eliminated from the unit as well as the animals.

Organic Chromium Improves Immune Responses In Weaner Pigs
By Rick Carter, PhD, Kemin Industries (Asia) Pte Ltd and published by eFeedLink - Chromium functions with insulin in the regulation of glucose and energy metabolism. People suffering from type II diabetes are responsive to chromium supplementation. Biologically...

Research on hog behaviour and pig crushing
ISU research on hog behaviour may give clues to pig crushing - By Jennifer Minick and Don Lay, Animal Science, and Ed Adcock, Agriculture Information, Iowa State University - An Iowa State University study that evaluated sow and piglet behavior provides...

Interactions between Salmonella Typhimurium & intestinal epithelial cells
By Alpharma Animal Health - This trial looks at the effect of Alphamune G on in-vitro interactions between Salmonella Typhimurium and intestinal epithelial cells, showing positive results.

UK Pig Disease Monthly Surveillance Report (to January 2005)
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...

Problems of antibiotic resistance in pigs in the UK
By David Burch - The fact that large quantities of antimicrobials are used in pig production in the UK has led to the assumption that antimicrobial resistance must be posing major problems. This, in turn, raises a number of pertinent questions. For...

PRRS virus infection in the boar: a review
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus infection in the boar: a review - By Cinta Prieto and José M. Castro, Universidad Complutense de Madrid - Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is caused by PRRS virus, which, like other...

Responsible use of antimicrobials in pig production
By RUMA - This article summarises the responsibilities of pig farmers as they use antimicrobials to safeguard the health and welfare of their animals.

Growth Promoters - Past, Present and Future
Growth Promoters - Past, Present and Future - By David Burch BVetMed MRCVS, Veterinarian, Octagon Services Ltd - Article written on behalf of BASF and published in "Pig World" December 2004 - Growth promoters were those ‘things’ put in pig feed to make...

Salmonella Control - via the Stomach
By David Burch - Pig farmers in Europe are being continually bombarded by new legislation affecting the way they can keep and produce their pigs and salmonella control schemes are just one example of the new standards that have to be met. At the same...

Growth Promotion Trial: Alphamune^TM G versus Salinomycin
By Alpharma Animal Health - This trial reports on performance improvements seen in nursery pigs given Alphamune G feed supplementation compared to pigs treated with Salinomycin as a growth promoter.

UK Pig Disease Quarterly Surveillance Report - November 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...

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.

The economic benefit of a disinfection programme in the control of a salmonella outbreak
By DuPont Animal Health Solutions - This paper outlines the economic benefits of controlling a clinical Salmonella outbreak and shows a cost:benefit ratio of 1:11.