ACMC Tip: Autumn Airflow
UK - Temperatures are already dropping sharply at night so pig producers should make sure all flaps and fans in their buildings are working properly and that doors are closed at night.

Two 'Innov’SPACE-stars for Liquid Feeding Innovation
FRANCE - Big Dutchman reflects on successful participation at the recent SPACE 2009, the leading trade fair for modern livestock management in Rennes, France.

Canadian Govt Invests in Farm Animal Care in BC
BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA - The Government of Canada is investing more than $500,000 to help British Columbia livestock and poultry producers share information and raise industry awareness of farm animal...

Warning from MEPs Regarding EU Transport Rules
SCOTLAND, UK - An NFU Scotland delegation visiting Brussels has received warning that damaging EU proposals to introduce new restrictions on animal transport could be put back on the European agenda within...

New Humane Training Program for Animal Handlers
US - American Humane® Certified has officially launched its new humane training program that fully answers the food industry’s call for better trained animal handlers.

New On-Farm Guide to Vaccination and Pig Medicines
UK - A new booklet entitled The correct use and storage of veterinary medicines on the pig farm has just been published by Intervet / Schering-Plough Animal Health in the UK.

Wageningen to Study Behaviour for Better Welfare
NETHERLANDS - Wageningen University, together with other partners, has received funding for three projects that will investigate the effect of social interactions in pigs and hens with the view to improving...

Higher Risk of Abnormal Gait in Intensive Systems
UK - In a study of commercial farms, researchers found fewer cases of abnormal gait in finishing pigs than sows or gilts. Pigs kept outdoors or on solid floors with straw had fewer mobility problems than...

Scottish SPCA Approves Launch of Pioneering Brand
SCOTLAND, UK - Pig farms throughout Scotland are being visited by inspectors from the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) as part of a ground-breaking initiative welcomed by...

Piglet's Posture is Best Guide to its Comfort
NORWAY - Piglets tend to make changes in posture rather than huddling in order to keep comfortable, according to research published by G. Vasdal of the Norwegian University of Life Sciences and co-authors....

Animal Transport Proposals Off the Table... for Now
SCOTLAND, UK - NFU Scotland yesterday welcomed the news that proposals to introduce controversial new animal transport laws have been withdrawn from internal European Commission consultation.

Study: Pork Quality Varies According to Compartment
CANADA - A just completed transportation study shows the quality of pork will vary depending on the compartment of the truck in which pigs are transported, writes Bruce Cochrane.

New Disease Threat?
EU - There were reports of a new unexplained syndrome of diarrhoea in young piglets from Denmark and France at the first European Symposium on Porcine Health Management in Copenhagen at the end of August....

NPA Calls for Rethink on Vitamin A
UK - To protect consumers, the European Food Standards Agency has proposed new maximum levels of vitamin A in animal feed.

Swine Producers Encouraged to Analyse Feed Grain
CANADA - With the increasing prevalence of a new more aggressive and toxic form of Fusarium graminearum, swine producers are encouraged to make sure they know what is in the grain they feed their...

ACMC Tip: Avoid Greedy Pigman's Disease
UK - With high pig prices there is a temptation to push production as hard as possible. The advent of circovirus vaccines has allowed some producers to cut corners on stocking density, downtimes for cleaning...

Pork Producers Welcome Reopening of PSC Elstow
CANADA - Saskatchewan pork producers are hailing the reopening of the PSC Elstow Research Farm under new ownership as very good news for the province's pork industry. writes Bruce Cochrane.

First Humane Livestock Transportation Council Meeting
US - American Humane Certified has convened the first meeting of Humane Livestock Transportation Council.

Sale of PSC Elstow Research Farm Applauded
CANADA - Western Canadian pork producers are welcoming the reopening the PSC Elstow Research Farm under new ownership as very good news for the Canadian pork industry.

Irish Pork Not Up to Scratch for Top Chefs
IRELAND - The vast majority of top chefs avoid using home-produced pork because of poor standards, according to a new survey.

WPC REPORT - Pledge for International Cooperation and Transparency
CHINA - The International Meat Secretariat has set out a seven point pledge to enhance transparency, animal welfare food safety and cooperation within the global pig meat industry at the World Pork Conference...

US Vets Respond to Report into Intensive Production
US - The American Veterinary Medical Association's CEO, Dr Ron DeHaven talks about the Pew Commission's report and the AVMA's response, calling the report 'flawed and unscientific'.

Breeding Better Barley for Feed
DENMARK - Low-protein malt barley is fine for drinkers of ale while high-protein feed barley meets the needs of pigs and cows. However, now that environmental effects are also an important issue, a new...

Possible Cures for Tail-Biting Found
UK - The results of recently published research suggest that Stockholm tar and Dippel's oil may be effective in reducing tail biting.

Net Energy Based Ration Formulations Encouraged
CANADA - Scientists with the Prairie Swine Centre are encouraging hog producers to consider moving to net energy based ration formulations but to make the change cautiously, writes Bruce Cochrane.