From the Wallingford Pig Study Group to PIC
UK - In 1955, a group in the UK called the Wallingford Pig Study Group was concerned that the traditional purebred breeders were not producing the right pig for future markets.

Research into AI Semen Age and Fertility
UK - Research carried out by pig breeding company PIC in the UK into the effect of semen age on reproductive performance in AI has seen a surprising result - that fresh is not necessarily best, writes...

Improving AI to Improve Commercial Pig Herd
UK - Fresh work on the study of porcine semen production could go a long way to improving the commercial pig herd in the UK, writes ThePigSite editor in chief, Chris Harris.

PIC Opens New AI Research Centre
UK - Pig breeding company PIC opened a gene technology research centre in the UK on Tuesday – believed to be the first of its type in the UK and probably in Europe.

AI – Take Care of Semen in Cold Weather
UK - Semen for AI on pig farms should be stored at 17°C in temperature-controlled cabinets. AI suppliers take care to ensure that semen is in good condition on delivery.

Greater Insight into Danish Genes and Technology
UK - The country's newest pig breeding and genetics supplier, DanBred International UK, has launched its own web site.

Dangers of Fluctuating Winter Temperatures
UK - As we move into winter, fluctuating temperatures can be a major stressor and precursor to pneumonia in pigs, warns says Paul Thompson, veterinary consultant to pig-breeding company, ACMC Ltd.

ACMC Tip: Keeping the Milk-Bar Flowing
UK - For a sow’s mammary gland to work efficiently it should have been suckled in the previous lactation, says Paul Thompson, veterinary consultant to pig-breeding company, ACMC Ltd.

Supermarkets Could Trigger Pork Shortage
UK - A massive shortage of fresh pork could result from short-sighted policies of major supermarkets, predicts Matthew Curtis, managing director of Yorkshire-based pig-breeding company, ACMC Ltd.

Successful 2TS Focus on Health Meetings
UK - The three 2TS Focus on Health conferences last week were a great success, say the organisers, BPEX.

ACMC Tip: Lighten Up for Breeding Sows
UK - The significance of light for maintaining pregnancy is well recognised, says Paul Thompson, veterinary consultant to pig-breeding company ACMC Ltd.

JSR's 22nd Conference: Beddington at Bonnington
UK - JSR Genetics' 22nd Technical Conference entitled 'The Next Agricultural Revolution' will take place on Tuesday 13th September with Sir John Beddington, Government Chief Scientific Adviser (GCSA),...

Cool Sows to Improve Farrowing Rate
UK - New research from the University of Leeds has shown that farrowing rates are reduced when average daily temperature rises above 18°C. These are the initial findings on factors that contribute to...

ACMC Tip: Combating Seasonal Infertility
UK - Many farms will experience reduced fertility over the next few months due to summer and autumn infertility, warns Paul Thompson, veterinary consultant to pig-breeding company ACMC Ltd.

BPEX Publishes Bedding Options Bulletin
UK - BPEX has published a bulletin highlighting the pros and cons of alternative bedding materials, plus ways to reduce straw wastage.

Stressful Spring for Boars
UK - The hot, dry spring has highlighted the issue of heat stress in pigs which can cause fertility problems in boars as well as sows.

More Moves on Chinese Market
UK - Highlighting the importance of the Chinese market, BPEX sent two missions to China in May.

Colostrum Key for Piglet Survival
UK - Maternal colostrum is vital for newborn piglets as both their primary energy supply and for immune protection.

ACMC Tip: Successful Semen Storage
UK - Successful AI is an essential part of profitable pig farm performance. AI studs take great care over processing and handling semen to send out a product that is capable of giving results at levels...

First Lactation is Key to Sow Performance
UK - Gilts that suffer a productivity drop in their second litter risk a continued trend of poorer performance in later parities.

UK Signs Deal to Export Breeding Pigs to China
UK - Britain today signed a deal that will allow the export of its breeding pigs to China, home to half of the world's pig population, the government said.

Low Stress is Key to Optimum Breeding Performance
UK - Removing stress factors in gilts and sows is key to good reproductive performance. That was a clear message from Dutch pig expert Dr Nicoline Soede at last week's Two-Tonne Sow (2TS) Focus on Breeding...

Prenatal Stress Leads to Stress-Prone Piglets
SCOTLAND, UK - Stress in pregnant pigs results in their offspring being 'stress-programmed' for life, research by at the Scottish Agricultural Colleges (SAC) has revealed.

BPEX Sets AI Standard
UK - To try and improve the competitiveness of the English pig industry, BPEX and the NPA recognised that the industry needed to focus on improving reproductive performance and spread the costs of production...

Science - the Answer to Feeding the World?
The theme of this year's JSR Technical Conference was Science – the Key to Feeding the World, writes Jackie Linden, editor of ThePigSite, who attended the event at the University of Nottingham...

ACMC: Virtual Boar Winner
UK - Winner of ACMC’s ‘virtual boar’ competition at the British Pig and Poultry Fair is H F Hart Ltd, Homeleaze Farm, Gloucestershire. They win £1,000 worth of semen for their 450-sow breeding...

New Gilt Management Package
UK - BPEX is asking producers to re-assess their gilt management practices. It is useful to question or challenge how things are done and the new Two-Tonne Sow (2TS) Gilt Management Pack is full of practical...

Sex Selection Takes Step Forward
WALES, UK - A company has made a scientific breakthrough that will enable livestock breeders to pre-select the sex of pigs.

Gloucestershire Old Spots Pork Under Protection
UK - Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman on Friday, 18 June, welcomed producers of Gloucestershire Old Spots pork – also known as Gloucester Old Spots – to the growing list of British specially...

Still Potential to Boost Sow Output
UK - Rapid progress in sow productivity in commercial pig herds is still possible, according to Yorkshire-based pig-breeding company ACMC.