Getting Gilt Integration Right
UK - With good returns on finished pigs, attractive cull sow prices and a contracting EU pig herd, many producers are building up their breeding herds again, some of which have been run at below optimum...

To Dry or Not to Dry: That is the Question
UK - The June issue of Target Farm Action from BPEX explains the benefits and best procedures for drying off gilts right after their first farrowing.

Chinese Scientists Succeed in Pig Gender Selection
CHINA - Chinese scientists have claimed a commercial breakthrough after breeding 10 piglets whose sex was successfully selected before conception, heralding potential higher profits for farmers.

New Boar Quality Assurance Scheme
UK - Although AI now accounts for 75-80 per cent of pig services nationally, the boar is still a very important animal on most farms and is used extensively to provide cover for sows both naturally and...

McDonalds Launches Flagship Farms Programme
EU - Fast food restaurant chain McDonald's Europe has launched a new Flagship Farms programme, designed to promote and share the benefits of sustainable agricultural practices via real case studies from...

WPE REPORT: Certification in PQA Plus Called for
US - The US National Pork Board is calling on pork producers to become certified in the in the Pork Quality Assurance Plus programme, writes ThePigSite senior editor Chris Harris.

China Invests in Pig Breeding
CHINA - China has earmarked 3 billion yuan (€322 million) this year to support the large-scale breeding of pigs and cows in a bid to stabilise agricultural development and help raise farmers' incomes,...

ACMC Tip: Get Cover for Reduced Fertility
UK - Last year many herds suffered from reduced fertility in both summer and autumn. On many units this is a predictable effect says Paul Thompson, veterinary consultant to pig- breeding company, ACMC...

Chocolate-coloured Pigs Help Scientists
DENMARK - A litter of dark brown piglets born at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences will help doctors gain a better understanding of arteriosclerosis and aid in the development of a more efficient cloning...

Govt to Invest $439m on Pig and Cow Breeding
CHINA - China has earmarked 3 billion yuan ($439 million) this year to support the large-scale breeding of pigs and cows in a bid to stabilize agricultural development and help raise farmers' incomes,...

Hypor Inc Forms New Alliance with Mag Inc
GLOBAL - Meeting the breeding needs of both Canadian and mid American producers has lead to the strategic alliance between Hypor Inc. and newly incorporated Mid-America Genetics International Incorporated...

TOPIGS South Africa New Agreement
SOUTH AFRICA - Ede Farming, a multifaceted crop and livestock farming operation in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa, has signed a total depop-repop agreement with TOPIGS SA.

TOPIGS Helps Achieve 27.3 Weaned Piglets/Sow/Year
THE NETHERLANDS - Pig farmers with TOPIGS sows achieved an average production of 27.3 weaned piglets per sow per year in 2008.

Hypor the Choice of China's Largest Producer
CHINA - Hypor announced today that it has entered into a genetics program arrangement with AgFeed Industries, Inc. one of China’s largest pre-mix feed companies and the country’s largest independent hog...

Extension of Cull Breeding Swine Program Applauded
CANADA - The Canadian Pork Council is applauding a three month extension of the retroactive portion of the Federal Cull Breeding Swine Program, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Medina Pig Out Day to Showcase Research on Pigs
AUSTRALIA - Pig producers will be able to ‘pig out’ at the industry’s open day at the Department of Agriculture and Food’s Medina Research Station on Friday, 27 March.

Five Genesus Customer Herds Surpass 30 Pigs
GLOBAL - Five Genesus customers' herds surpassed 30 pigs weaned in 2008.

ACMC Stock for Spanish Integrator
SPAIN - Against stiff international competition, British-based pig genetics company, ACMC Ltd, has won an order to supply one of Spain's largest integrators with breeding stock.

Boars Live Longer in Top Herds
JAPAN - Koketsu and Sasaki have published a study into boar culling and mortality in commercial herds. On average, they found that boars were culled or died aged two years and eight months, having been...

Stronger Jaws Mean More Milk
BELGIUM - Why do piglets with a lean muscle gene show improved survivability and quicker growth?

Genus Increases Porcine Capacity in China
CHINA - Genus, a world leading animal genetics company, is pleased to announce significant advances in its strategy for expansion in China with progress being made in both the bovine and porcine sectors....

Enhanced Fertility in Boars with Selenium
US - Boars fed a supplement of organic selenium were more fertile than those fed inorganic selenium or no supplement, according to researchers working for Virginia Cooperative Extension.

US Distribution Agreement with Zierke Formed
US - TOPIGS International announces a US distributor agreement with the Zierke Company in Morris, Minnesota (US).

Old-Breed Pork Must Be the Real Thing
UK - In a decision that will have a major impact on both supermarkets and producer-retailers, Trading Standards officers have been told to clamp down on misleadingly labelled old-breed pork.

Heavier Litters for Sows on High-Fibre Diet
FRANCE - Piglets born from sows fed the high-fibre diet during pregnancy grew faster than those from sows fed a standard control diet, without compromising sow body weight or backfat.