Porcine Respiratory Disease Complex
Number 19 of the BPEX series Action for Productivity covers porcine respiratory disease complex. The disease is described, as well as management tips to control the complex condition.

Structure of the UK Pig Industry
More than one quarter of British sows are now kept outdoors, according to a survey of producers of Assured British Pigs, and around 35 per cent no longer routinely clip the teeth or dock the tails of piglets. ThePigSite editor, Jackie Linden, summarises...

Influence of Hot-Humid Environment on Growth Performance and Reproduction of Swine
Professors Robert Myer and Ray Bucklin reviewed this topic for the University of Florida, IFAS Extension, published in 2001.

Efficient Feed Usage
Number 18 in the Action for Productivity series from BPEX offers practical advice on how to get the best from the feed - from design of the feeding system to hygiene tips.

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.

Mission 2050 - Research and Industry Infrastructure in 2050
Mission 2050 is a project to replace outdated animal research facilities with a flexible new complex to study sustainable animal agriculture systems for the future. Vern R. Osborne of the Department of Animal and Poultry Science at the University of Guelph...

Large versus Small Pen Groups in Finishing Pigs
"Is pig performance the same?" asks Ronald O. Bates, swine specialist at Michigan State University. He compared pigs in groups of eight or 100, and found that reduced floor space allocation or crowding in finishing reduces not only average daily gain...

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...

Growing-Finishing Swine in Outdoor Lots
Housing, feeding and health of pigs kept outside are discussed by William G. Luce (extension swine specialist), Joseph E. Williams (Professor of Agricultural Economics) and Raymond L. Huhnke (extension agricultural engineer) at Oklahoma State University....

Farrowing Sows on Pasture
A practical guide to the management, health and feeding of the breeding herd outside from Oklahoma State University. It was written by William G. Luce (extension animal science specialist, swine), Joseph E. Williams (Professor of Agricultural Economics)...

Is There an 'Optimum' Production System?
Michael C. Brumm of Brumm Swine Consultancy Inc. gave this presentation at the London Swine Conference 2008.

Joint Ill
A useful single-page guide from BPEX to the treatment of joint ill in piglets.

Litter Swapping
A practical introduction from BPEX to the swapping of complete litters, rather than cross-fostering individual piglets.

Swine Facilities for Production on Pasture
Raymond L. Huhnke, William G. Luce, Joseph E. Williams of the University of Oklahoma published this Fact Sheet in July 2007, offering advice on managing free-range systems for sows, boars and finishing pigs in the state.

Effects of Pre-Slaughter Stress on Pork Quality
Jennifer Kitts and C.M. Wood, of the Animal & Poultry Sciences group at Virginia Tech published this summary in the December 2001 edition of Livestock Update. They focus particularly on the condition of PSE meat.

Optimum Length of Time for a Boar to be in Stud
There are typically two conflicting perspectives: that of the boar stud and that of the semen customer, commercial pig producer, according to J.S. Fix and colleagues at North Carolina State University (NCSU) and Pig Improvement Company. They have developed...

Improving Efficiency
The National Pig Association (NPA) offers practical suggestions for improving efficiency within your business.

Fuel for the Fire: Livestock Inputs and GHG Emissions
The effects of livestock farming on climate change is an ever-expanding issue for the meat industry. At the forefront of consumer concerns is the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Consequently, in a bid to tackle the problem, ongoing research attempts...

Monitoring Sows Bred by Seven Days
There is a reason to consider the use of proportions in more detail and in more applications, write John Deen DVM PhD (Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota) and Sukumarannair S. Anil DVM PhD (Research Asssociate at the University of Min...

Meat Per Tonne of Feed - Become a Convert!
Respected pig consultant, John Gadd, explains why producers should adjust their future thinking to the amount of meat produced per tonne of feed, rather than a simple feed conversion ratio for JSR Genetics.

NADIS/BPEX Commentary - Vices
Pig veterinarian, Mark White, describes the results of a survey carried out by vets into the vices they come across on finisher pig farms. Tail-biting was the most widespread behavioural problem observed. Its prevalence was not particularly associated...

Establishing the Weaned Piglet
Establishing piglets early to reduce pen variation is the key message from the BPEX Knowledge Transfer Farm Case Study 5. Successful changes were adjustments to the feeding regime, the addition of bite drinkers and additional lighting.

Controlling Stillbirth Losses
Hypor offers solutions to this global problem, including tips on management and supervision at farrowing.