The farm with ideal biosecurity (1/2)
In this article, we look at which elements of biosecurity should be considered in the design of a sow farm, although they are applicable to any farm.
Articles
Farrowing assistance (I): Piglet extraction
A correct supervision is one of the key points of a farrowing.
ELISA assay as a diagnostic tool (1/2): Basics and uses
How well do you understand ELISA testing? This is how it works, what it detects, and how to interpret results.
Ideal biosecurity for pig farms (2/2)
Preventing the entry and spread of diseases should be an objective on any swine farm, so adequately designing biosecurity aspects is key. In this article, we continue to discuss biosecurity measures with two experts: Lara Ruiz and José Casanovas.
The importance of water consumption for sows in lactation
During lactation ensuring the sow consumes enough water is essential, as well as maintaining the water:feed ratio needed to lessen weight loss in the sow and allow a greater daily gain in the piglets.
Tip: How to make an incubator cart for piglets
We can place the weakest piglets from each litter to dry out and warm up in this incubator while we tend to the next sows.
The Signs of farrowing: Physiology and sow behaviour
Understanding the farrowing process and recognizing the signs for the different stages of birth, help us to develop management plans to improve the likelihood for live born piglets.
Practical tips for making a diagnosis
Never forget the basics: recommended reading for all young vets and those not so young!
Basic needs of the growing pig
For the animals to be comfortable it is important to know their needs. The more needs that we can fulfill the more productive the animal will be.
Cross fostering and nurse sows (I): How to handle hyperprolific sows
Here are three basic rules for deciding if and when to do cross fostering and use nurse sows.
Occupational disease risks for handlers of pigs and pork
Most infections with occupational diseases occur at slaughter, when humans handle potentially infected meat or body fluids. We’ll introduce two major ones here: erysipelas and S. suis infection.
Video about split suckling: The importance of the first few hours
To ensure that each piglet intakes enough colostrum and to help the smallest piglets get it, split suckling should be used.
Necropsy manual: Necropsy of a piglet in lateral decubitus (I)
This new section, coordinated by the pathological anatomy team of the University of Cordoba, Spain, will show us, in a very visual and practical way, how to perform a necropsy on a pig.
Welcome back, Mr. Trump
Our experts Sara Mazo and Francisco Ruíz review the economic policies implemented during Trump's first term: protectionism, tariffs, and deregulation of the energy and agricultural sectors.
Vaccine myths and misconceptions
Answers to a series of frequently asked questions regarding vaccine usage and their interaction with the immune system.
Tip: How to reduce drafts in the barn
This farmer's solution mitigates the effect of wind blowing through the windows, whether we have mechanical or natural ventilation.
Tips to stimulate gilts and sows coming into heat
In a series of articles, swine reproduction and insemination specialist, Javier Gil Pascual, addresses the key aspects of oestrus stimulation and detection, and insemination.
Tips for heat detection
In the first part of this article series we addressed how to correctly stimulate oestrus. In this article we continue talking with swine reproduction specialist, Javier Gil Pascual, focusing on heat detection.
Three colours during the gestation. The more visual the easier
The goal is to make the management during the gestation easier using a different colour spray colour each week to mark the tasks carried out with the sows.
Insects as an alternative raw material in pig feed
Products obtained from insects have a high proportion of crude protein: 40-44% in the case of the black soldier fly larvae, or up to 60% in the case of black fly larvae or in grasshoppers, and even reaching 70% in the case of silkworms.
Elements involved in gut health
Main elements that can be found in the digestive environment and how they are involved in gut health.
Feeding lactating sows: a farmer's experience achieving 39 weaned pigs per sow
How, when and why should feed be increased? what needs to be considered when drawing feed curves? first hand farmer experience from Can Ballau, answers these and other questions
Recommendations for the prevention and control of african swine fever in at-risk countries I
ASF spreads mainly through the movement of infected pork and other animal products, as well as live animals, which includes wild boar.
What is the best age for weaning piglets? (1/3)
With this article we begin the publication of a series of three unpublished articles by José Barceló for pig333.com on the age at weaning. José gave us the articles a few days before his death. As a way of paying homage to him we have decided to publish them posthumously without any alterations.