Whole-Genome Association Analyses for Lifetime Reproductive Traits in the Pig
Genes associated with litter size were found to be expressed in reproductive tissues and those for fertility traits were found to be linked to fat deposition, according to researchers at Iowa State University.

Hypothermia in Neonatal Piglets
Birth weight is the most important single factor in successful recovery from postnatal hypothermia, according to research from Aarhus University in which the interactions and causes of individual differences were investigated.

Reduce Risk of Autumn Infertility
Practical interventions are outlined to minimise infertility problems associated with the autumn from BPEX in its series Focus on Fertility.

Shoulder Sores
The causes, treatment and prevention of shoulder sores in sows are set out in Knowledge Transfer Bulletin No. 17 from BPEX.

Reproductive Records
Advice on interpreting sow records from Ed Barrie, Sow Weaner Pig Specialist with OMAFRA in the latest Pork News and Views from Ontario's Ministry of Agriculture.

Seasonality in Pigs
A summary of the findings to date from a research project carried out by the Faculty of Biological Sciences at the University of Leeds, published by BPEX in its series, Research into Action, number 10.

Effect of Source & Quantity of Dietary Vitamin D in Maternal & Creep Diets on Bone Metabolism & Growth in Piglets
Supplementation of the sow diet during pregnancy with 50µg/kg of either of the two vitamin D sources tested was adequate to meet the needs of the sow herself, the developing foetuses and for normal skeletal mineralisation and growth in her offspring,...

Time-to-Suckle in Cross-Fostered Piglets?
Cross-fostering, if done correctly, need not interfere with the ingestion of adequate colostrum and acquisition of passive immunity by cross-fostered piglets, say Scott A. Kramer and Roy N. Kirkwood at the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences...

Nutritional Aspects of Sow Longevity
Dale W. Rozeboom from Michigan State University discusses the nutritional aspects of sow longevity in a review published in April 2010.

Water in Swine Production: a Review of its Significance and Conservation Strategies
A review of the importance of good water quality for pig production and tips on the best water management practices from Martin Nyachoti and Elijah Kiarie of the University of Manitoba in a paper presented at the Manitoba Swine Seminar 2010.

Should the Underlines of Neonatal Gilts be Taped?
A standard operating procedure briefing by Julie Feldpausch and Dale W. Rozeboom, Instructor at Michigan State University, in the latest issue of Pork Quarterly from MSU.

Can You Extend the Length of Gestation?
Altrenogest (Matrix) can be used to delay the onset of farrowing if circumstances dictate such a management intervention although it delayed nursing in piglets in litters from gilts, writes Ronald O. Bates, State Swine Specialist at Michigan State University...

Managing the Farrowing Period for the Sow and the Litter
More focus should be placed on the care and welfare of sows during farrowing and lactation, said John Deen of the University of Minnesota St Paul at the Manitoba Swine Seminar 2010.

Sow Housing Options
Sara Willis of DEEDI and Neil Gannon of University of Queensland headed a committee of the Queensland Pig Consultancy Group (QPCG), which organised a Seminar and Trade display on Sow Housing Options for 2017 – Meeting the Challenge.

Overlaying
Advice from Mark White, BVSc LLB DPM MRCVS, on how better management, avoidance of chilling and adequate investment in facilities can reduce piglet losses by up to 50 per cent.

Use of Crude Glycerol in Diets for Lactating Sows
Feeding diets containing up to nine per cent crude glycerol to lactating sows had no adverse effects on sow and litter performance, daily water consumption by sows or their response to heat stress, according to research at the University of Minnesota...

Progress on Improving Feed Conversion Efficiency
A review of progress on Pork CRC's Program Two on improving herd feed conversion efficiency by programme manager, Professor Frank Dunshea.

Sow Management and Maximising Longevity
It is critical for commercial pork producers to identify methods that will result in improved sow productive lifetime of females in the breeding herd, according to Dr K. Stalder, Locke Karriker, DVM, and Dr A. Johnson of Iowa State University in their...

Don't Miss the First Insemination
Time of mating and the start of heat detection after weaning are key to successful sow breeding, according to Pieter Langendijk in the latest Pig Tales newsletter from Western Australia's Department of Agriculture and Food.

Norwegian Research Can Save Newborn Piglets
Lower piglet mortality is the goal for Norwegian researchers at the University of Life Sciences (UMB) in a study of newborn piglets and their mothers, according to a report from the Research Council of Norway.

Improving Production Efficiency in a Competitive Industry
Three aspects of breeding herd management that can affect the bottom line of the pork industry and allow immediate savings in input costs will be summarised in a presentation by George Foxcroft, Jenny Patterson and Mike Dyck (Swine Reproduction-Development...

Reproductive Tract Reveals Answers to Good AI
Knowing the structure of the sow's reproductive tract can help improve the results with AI, according to the latest Producers for Profit newsletter from BPEX.

Seasonal Infertility in Pigs
Questions on what seasonal infertility is and how to minimise it are answered by Professor Paul Hughes and Dr Will van Wettere of Australia's Pork CRC.