Chris Wright

This paper has been prompted by changes in the supply of and demand for graduates with an interest, perhaps better stated as a passion, for working in the livestock industry.

There has been an increase in the culling of sows due to lameness. Three presentations discussed this topic during the 24th International Pig Veterinary Society Congress in Dublin, Ireland in 2016.

CO2 stunning can be reversible; pigs may recover consciousness, therefore the time between stunning and exsanguination is a determining factor for the efficiency of the stunning process.

Measuring variation in live weight in a population of pigs is conceptually very simple but problematic because it requires that large numbers of pigs are weighed periodically.

Group housing of sows requires careful management, since a whole range of issues can become problematic. Two of these issues, belly nosing and roundworm infections, were discussed during the 24th International Pig Veteri…

Gastric ulcers in finishing pigs can be a major issue, affecting performance factors such as weight gain and feed conversion. Several investigations on ulcers were presented during the 24th International Pig Veterinary S…

ANALYSIS - Last week the North American PRRS Conference was held in Chicago and special emphasis was given to porcine epidemic diarrhoea (PED). Before the arrival of PEDV, PRRS (Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndr…

ANALYSIS - Proper management and handling of manure is critical in preventing the spread of disease, said experts during a teleconference organized by Alberta Pork, writes Chris Wright, Senior Editor for ThePigSite.

ANALYSIS - During a Town Hall Meeting teleconference, organised by Alberta Pork, the emphasis was clearly on biosecurity writes Chris Wright, Senior Editor for ThePigSite.

ANALYSIS – During a teleconference hosted by the National Pork Board, analysts cast some doubts about the very positive USDA Quarterly Hogs and Pigs Report. The as yet unknown effect of PEDV this winter is worrisome to t…

ANALYSIS – US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack addressed attendees at the World Pork Expo and announced a new Federal Order for mandatory reporting of porcine epidemic diarrhoea (PED) virus, reports Chris Wright, sen…

US – Three concepts: choice, transparency and integrity are what distinguish the relationship that US pork producers have with their customers, said Dallas Hockman, during the World Pork Expo in Iowa. Chris Wright, seni…

ANALYSIS – Wheat prices have skyrocketed in Argentina, while feedlots and poultry producers say there is not enough corn to go around, writes Chris Wright, Senior Editor.

US – During the World Pork Expo (WPX) in Des Moines, Iowa, three experts discussed a number of different sow housing systems and the challenges presented by each, placing particular focus on how to retrofit an existing h…

US – “Yes“ said a panel of experts that addressed the issue during the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa writes Chris Wright for The Pig Site.

US – The very recent outbreak of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV) in the US was of foremost concern at the World Pork Expo which kicked off today in Des Moines, Iowa, writes Chris Wright for ThePigSite.

How do you get a proper dose of antimicrobials into a group of pigs with respiratory diseases? That was the question asked, and answered, by Dr Tom Kniffen, Technical Services Manager for Merck Animal Health at the World…

US – The US had record pork exports in 2011 and very strong exports in the first quarter of 2012. However, currency exchange issues and fewer exports to China will make this a more challenging year, writes Chris Wright f…

USA – The National Pork Producers Council is very vocal about its opposition to the proposed Egg Bill, which would set federal standards for minimum space size per hen, because of the precedent it sets for all animal agr…

USA – Roundworms are an ever present problem in the pig industry, causing direct economic losses from suboptimal feed utilization, writes Chris Wright for ThePigSite, from the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa, USA.