How Geneticists Will Help Feed Nine Billion People
The theme of the 21st JSR Genetics Technical Conference earlier this month was Science – the Key to Feeding the World. Jackie Linden, editor of ThePigSite, reports on some of the event highlights, focussing in this article on the contribution...

Milk Production and Nutritional Requirements of Modern Sows
Milk production levels of over 11 kg per day day can be achieved by today's sows in commercial situations, providing that specific needs are met for lysine and energy intake, according to Casey Neill and Noel Williams of PIC North America in a paper presented...

Genotype Effect on the Palatability of the Pork Loin
Pork loin from Mangalitza pigs was more tender than that from other breeds, according to Heincinger and co-authors in this paper from Hungary.

Improving Carbon Footprint of Pig Meat Production
There are many different drivers that affect meat production ranging from government policies through to oil and commodity prices and food security as well as consumer demands, writes ThePigSite senior editor, Chris Harris.

Maximising Weaning Weight
Hypor females have the potential for high milk production and large litter size, resulting in large numbers of heavy piglets at weaning. Attention to these factors that influence weaning weight will help to maximise weaning capacity.

Environmental Impact of Improvements in Genetics and Nutrition over 25 Years
The environmental impact of improvements in genetics and feeding programmes for pigs over 25 years has been studied at North Carolina State University (NCSU), reported by Eric van Heugten and published in the University's Swine News.

Heavy Pigs at Weaning Improve Growth, Efficiency and Carcass Value
Weaning weight affects subsequent performance and carcass quality, according to Hypor, which is why their breeding programme fouses on the sow's 'weaning capacity'.

Effect of Birth Weight on Subsequent Pig Performance
There is a direct relationship between piglet birth weight and subsequent performance to market, including carcass quality and meat quality, according to PIC research conducted by N. Matthews, S. Jungst, C. Jones, B. Fields and A. Sosnicki. They presented...

Nutrition During Gilt Development and Genetic Line Affect Reproduction
Twenty-five per cent energy restriction during development delays sexual maturity of gilts but has no effect on reproductive rate to parity 1 of those reaching sexual maturity, according to Rodger K. Johnson and co-authors in a paper published in the...

R&D - Keys Rules for Greater Return
By Dr Grant Walling, Director of Research and Genetics for JSR Genetics, explains how companies within the food production and retail sectors can get better value from their R&D, and target their spending in the most appropriate areas.

Five Ways to Address Summer Infertility in Pigs
Julian Wiseman, Professor of Animal Production, at the University of Nottingham introduces the topical problem of summer infertility in pigs in a discussion with Dr Grant Walling, Director of Research and Genetics at JSR Genetics to provide expert advice...

Developments on the Enviropig File
C.W. Forsberg and colleagues in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Guelph report on progress breeding pigs that secrete the enzyme, phytase, in their saliva and thus require supplements of neither inorganic phosphorus...

The Best Invest
Future efficiency, expansion and success all relate directly to investment. In simple terms, the more you put in, the more you get out. In order to remain competitive, UK pig producers need to channel their investments. Glenn Dames, Managing Director...

Top Tips For 2009 - Financial Fluency
James Christian, Finance Director for JSR Farming Group offers his top ten tips for business survival in this difficult year.

Segregated Parity Structure on Breeding Farms
This paper presents the rationale for segregating sows on a farm into age-dependent sub-populations in order to take advantage of nutrition, management and health opportunities. It was presented by R. Dean Boyd (The Hanor Co) and Noel Williams (PIC USA)...

Improving Piglet Survival Through Breeding
Analysis of the records of separate sire and dam lines of one breed has shown up genetic links between piglet survival, litter size and production traits, offering the hope of improving survival through breeding. The results were presented by Dagmar Kapell...

Investigation of Boar Taint Moves Ahead
A recent study has shed more light on how the boar taint compounds, skatole and androstenone, affect the odour of pig fat. The work was presented by Claudia Richards at a special event prior to the latest JSR Technical Conference, and reported here by...

A Biological Revolution in the Name of Profit
Ongoing advances in genetic technology mean that scientists can increasingly understand, identify and link animal traits with their DNA counterparts. Advocates claim that the commercial application of this technology leads to greater economic efficiency,...

Hypor Weaning Capacity
Work by Dr George Foxcroft and his team at the Swine Research and Technology Centre, University of Alberta, has shown that crowding of large numbers of embryos in the uterus and the consequent restriction of nutrient supply can result in low-birthweight...

Top Tips for 2009: Financial Fluency
Ten tips to provide a degree of stability in the current erratic economical environment from James Christian, Finance Director of JSR Farming Group.

Spanish Performance Supports Weaning Capacity
This article represents an interesting review of targeting an increase in weaners produced per sow per year as an indication of efficiency. It encourages producers to consider optimum productivity as a better indicator of the efficiency of production....

Gilt Management for Maximum Lifetime Productivity
By Hypor. Hypor gilts have the genetic potential for outstanding reproductive performance and careful attention to these key areas of gilt management will help to ensure a high first litter size and a long productive life. Correct management of the gilt...

How are Breeders Helping to Reduce Emissions?
Past genetic improvements have significantly contributed to a reduction in the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) per unit of animal product, and breeding remains an important tool in further reductions. These key points were made by Dr Huw Jones of Genesis...