New Hungarian Pig Farm Uses Nedap Velos ESF
HUNGARY - In early October of 2009, Nedap dealer Firma Bräuer from Austria completed a new pig farm in western Hungary. The farm, set up for 1200 productive sows, will be housing the gestating sows in...

Agri Minister Inaugurates New Building for 4,000 Pigs
CROATIA - Spaces for 4,000 animals distributed over three very respectable looking new pig housing facilities, approximately 12,000 finishing pigs are expected to pass through per year: Željko Kurkutović,...

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.

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...

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...

Merial: Performance Data Drives Improvement
UK - A willingness to try new techniques is integral to Kevin Gilbert’s approach to improving pig production at Womblehill, Aberdeenshire. A recent visit to the unit demonstrated Kevin’s willingness to...

How to Improve Outdoor Huts for Sows and Piglets
UK - In its Annual Technical Report 2008-2009, BPEX includes a short report on work to investigate ways to minimise temperature fluctuations faced by sows and piglets kept outdoors.

Study to Influence Pen Configuration and Group Size
CANADA - Research conducted at the Prairie Swine Centre is expected to assist hog producers in deciding penning configurations and group sizes, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Agriculture Minister Outlines Pig Scheme
IRELAND - Pig farmers have welcomed the €13m scheme for converting sows to loose housing - a scheme recently announced by agriculture minister Brendan Smith.

Pork Industry Urged to Act on Animal Welfare
NEW ZEALAND - The pork industry should address consumer concerns about animal welfare and reductions to the length of time sows can be kept in dry stalls need to kick in sooner, Agriculture Minister David...

A Big Dutchman Opts for Big Dutchman
NETHERLANDS - Since 2001, Dutchman, Egbert Selten, has been proud owner of a pig farm in Narrandera, Australia.

Potential Advantages from Straw Based Sow Housing
CANADA - Research conducted at the National Centre for Livestock and the Environment indicates the adoption of certain animal welfare measures has the potential to increase profitability, writes Bruce...

Environment Information Hub for Producers
UK - Tackling environmental issues from fallen stock to climate change is at the centre of a one stop on-line shop for UK pig producers.

New Tool to Evaluate Swine Housing Costs Expected
CANADA - Scientists with the University of Manitoba hope to have a simulation model available this fall that will assist swine producers in comparing the economics of different breeding sow housing systems,...

Big Dutchman Pig Division at World Pork Expo
US - In spite of all negative circumstances, such as economic downturn in pig farming, the financial crisis in general and the H1N1 influenza, Big Dutchman USA recently experienced a successful World Pork...

Straw Based Sow Housing Offers Economic Benefits
CANADA - Research conducted at the National Centre for Livestock and the Environment indicates the switch from conventional slatted concrete floors to straw based group housing of sows offers certain economic...

New Research Looks at Farrowing Crate Alternatives
UK - The practical stage of a major new research project looking at welfare-friendly alternatives to the farrowing crate has just got under way with the building and evaluation of prototype designs.

No Plan to Develop Free-range Brand for Pork
NEW ZEALAND - The Pork Industry Board does not plan to use free-range branding for pork, despite public concern over meat sources.

Maine Bans Gestation Crates
MAINE, US - Maine has become the sixth US state to ban extreme confinement. Gestation crates for sows and crates for veal calves will be prohibited from January 2011.

Fruitful Meeting with Japanese Partners
GLOBAL - A Japanese delegation has visited Big Dutchman Asia for fruitful discussions.

NADIS Veterinary Report & Forecast - April 2009
UK - This is a monthly report from the National Animal Disease Information Service (NADIS), looking at the data collected from their UK farm inspections.

ARM Buildings Running Flat Out to Meet Demand
UK - ARM Buildings, the Staffordshire-based pig and poultry buildings specialist, reports that it has been running flat out with 24-hour shifts having been introduced at its Rugeley factory to keep up...

New Standard in Canadian Housing Unveiled
CANADA - For two years, Canada has been facing difficulties in pig production. But changing circumstances motivate the innovative sector to prepare for better times. And the farm that was shared with fellow...

Open Day Attracts Many Visitors
GERMANY - The new barn for finishing pigs of the Driever family who live in Freren, northern Germany, was recently inaugurated with an Open Day.

Newquip Goes for Big Move
UK - Newquip has moved premises to allow optimised storage and distribution to increase customer support.