Do we know how to communicate the main objective of correct data collection? What clues can make us suspect that the data are not being properly recorded?

For pigs to grow and be productive, their nutrition must provide the intake of energy and nutrients necessary for maintenance and production. The most important nutrients are proteins, fats, minerals, and vitamins. Ingested and recycled proteins will be used for tissue growth and repair, enzymatic and hormonal functions, transport of substances, immune responses, water and electrolyte balance, muscle contraction, cell signaling, and pH maintenance.

We analyze the two most relevant respiratory viruses in the swine population.

Although the large influx of news makes it seem otherwise, it really has only been 50 days since the new U.S. President, Donald Trump, was inaugurated.

During a recent visit to a pig farm in Sweden, 333 had the opportunity to learn first-hand about the Moving Floor system, an innovative technology for improving pig welfare and reducing emissions.

Of the pillars of commercial pig production, nutritional management, is based on its impact on the total final production cost. In Brazil, it represented 73.16% of the total production cost in 2024 on average, according to data from CIAS (2024, EMBRAPA). In this way, constantly updating the energy and nutrient requirements needed to optimize production outcomes is a focus of attention and a goal of ongoing scientific research.

Antonio Palomo summarizes the swine production and reproduction presentations from the latest Allen D. Leman Swine Conference 2024.

At present, the North-South divide in the EU is more evident than ever and is becoming a disparity that is strengthening and becoming chronic.

In 11 of the 15 countries analyzed, 333 users expected higher prices than were actually achieved.

This article describes some practices for improving environmental control and the costs involved in their implementation.

Uniformity and quality play a key role in the success of both the feed mill and the farm. The quality of swine feed starts with proper diet formulation, which must meet the animal's nutritional needs at every stage of its life, and a proper mixing process ensures uniform nutrient distribution and directly impacts production performance, animal health and welfare, and economic efficiency.

The relatively short but very intense lactation period is undoubtedly a key phase in pig production for both sows and piglets. The fragility of the piglets and the significant demands that sows face at this stage make early detection of problems essential. Do we understand what the animals are telling us?

Biorefineries have the potential to add value to organic matter, nutrients, and water from livestock manure.

This data sheet presents a brief compilation of scientific studies that have evaluated the effect of formic acid, lactic acid, and propionic acid on pig gastrointestinal health and production performance at different stages of production.

In this last article in the series we discuss the main causes of “vaccine failure”, i.e. when we aren't sure that vaccines are working or they are only partially working.

In today's context of high production costs and increasing pressure from environmental regulations, swine production faces the challenge of balancing production efficiency with the environmental and economic sustainability of the industry. A key factor in this equation is feed particle size, where simple actions available to the producer can achieve significant improvements.

At the risk of being proven wrong by the end of 2025, we will try to break down what we think this year has in store. It's not about using a crystal ball, but rather analyzing the data we already have and weighing its importance. At the end of the year, you can compare and see whether we got it right or missed the mark.

Beta glucans are an excellent bioactive compounds that can help us enhance passive immunity in a profitable and practical way.

The appearance of a case of foot and mouth disease aggravated the fall in the German pig price with direct repercussions on prices in neighboring countries.

Aerosol models may open a new range of possibilities for addressing knowledge gaps concerning M. hyopneumoniae infection and disease, treatment, and control.

From their respective academic and on-farm positions, Josep Gasa and Josep Casanovas discuss a study on the performance and welfare of sows exposed to auditory environmental enrichment.

After interpreting the lesions we must proceed to sample collection.

This first data sheet on organic acids describes their chemical structure, mechanisms of action, and the main benefits of their use in swine nutrition.

A study conducted by IFIP (France) has compared three sensor methods based on near infrared spectrometry (NIRS), electrical conductivity and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometry.

This is how to assemble an "emergency" ramp using the insulation panels left over from the construction of the nursery.

The price of pork has remained well above the cost price throughout the year, with declines from the peak (1.848 euros per kilo in July) being gradual and controlled, allowing slaughterhouses to navigate the autumn with favourable positive margins.

Analyzing the swine industry's life cycle and implementing sustainable measures from feeding to processing drives a change towards a more environmentally friendly industry and better animal welfare.

The global swine industry is dynamic and constantly advancing. One of these advancements is the significant increase in sow productivity. This is evidenced by the increase in the number of piglets born and, consequently, in the number of piglets weaned. This progress also poses new challenges, especially regarding the most important superfood on the farm: porcine colostrum. This leads us to ask if improving colostrum quality is possible through specific nutritional strategies.

To identify the keys to success in managing sows in breed and release systems, France's Chamber of Agriculture of the Brittany Region surveyed farmers who implemented this system. The results identified three strategies that producers use the week after weaning.

Beta glucans can boost the vaccinal response, thus helping to achieve an optimal vaccinal response. If they are supplied during enough time to cover the whole vaccination programme this strategy could be an option to improve the vaccine response.

Histopathology can provide a strong framework to establish the real causality of a clinical problem.

Nutrition plays a major role in the immune response. The interaction of different dietary components with other factors such as environment, health status, and genetics plays an important role in modulating the immune response.

The price is not expected to change in the coming weeks, provided nothing extraordinary happens.

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.

Sánchez-Osorio describes the characteristics of the different terminal boar lines developed by Topigs Norsvin for each type of market, prioritizing lean yield or meat quality.

With current data, we will review the quantitative impact of some of the most relevant factors for sows in the lactation phase.

In the fifth installment of the manual we address the examination of the organs of the abdominal cavity.

This article describes the main characteristics of commercial vaccines to combat PRRS.

This farm has built a small chute to vaccinate an entire pen of piglets in record time.

IFIP provides a summary of the evolution of grain and oilseed crops.

Three different motivational drivers have been identified, each corresponding to a specific behavioral pattern: two-phase, sudden-forceful, and obsessive.

This year's edition of the Swine Conference in honor of Dr. Allen D. Leman was a special 50th Anniversary event and took place September 21-24 at the Saint Paul RiverCentre Convention Center in Minnesota, USA.

Gene editing represents a significant technological advancement that we must thoroughly understand due to its potential impact on the swine industry. Will there be animals resistant to viral diseases?

Animals tell us how they feel, but do we understand what they are telling us?

A better understanding of the modulatory effects of functional amino acids and polyphenols may support nutritionists in formulating more adapted diets and contribute to the development of nutritional strategies to improve animal performance, well-being, and health.

For several reasons, Poland has not managed to control ASF in wild boars and pigs. What measures has this country implemented during these 10 years and why were they insufficient?

Spain has had three consecutive months of declines, which have resulted in a 14% decrease. Despite this, Spain continues to lead pig prices in the EU. The question is how far these decreases will continue.

Breaking the chain of infection from humans to pigs and from pigs to humans.

Data sheet with the nutritional value (table comparison) and most recent studies about corn distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS).

Moving away from weekly batch management improved Time to stability, Time to baseline production and Total Piglet losses per 1,000 sows after a PRRS outbreak.

Why induce puberty? If I do choose to induce puberty, what do I need to do, and when?

In the fourth installment of the manual, we address examining the thoracic cavity organs.

A new practice has already been implemented on several farms in Spain and is being adopted by others: 5-week batches.

The constant search for solutions to challenges in management, health, reproduction, nutrition, and feeding—and their interactions—should be a technical principle if we aim to maximize the genetic potential of our farms.

In this third installment, Antonio Palomo summarizes the papers presented on reproduction, nutrition, precision livestock farming, and other aspects of swine production.

This farmer made a movable metal barrier that leans against the wall when not in use so it doesn't get in the way.

September is ending, leaving behind a trail of staggered decreases in the pig price in Spain. This is nothing new; many years tend to be like this.

On December 30, 2024, soybeans will be added to the products covered by the new European regulation against deforestation, creating uncertainty in commodity trade.

Transporting semen doses from boar studs to farms is a step that requires careful consideration due to factors such as temperature fluctuations and vibrations which can affect the quality of the doses.

The overall risk of a PRRS outbreak is 12 times higher during the first 15 days after pumping manure than the rest of the year.