“Dr. Machado’s research found that antibiotic use for piglets increased by more than 3.5 times during the first 15 weeks after a PRRS outbreak on a farm. For older pigs, the use of antibiotics increased by more than 2.5 times. “

Read the full interview to dig deeper into the research and what it means for the industry and consumers.

🎯 Stronger pigs, fewer post-weaning losses

📌 New research confirms that genetic resistance to E. coli F18 can protect piglets against today’s highly virulent strains. In a controlled challenge, susceptible pigs showed more severe diarrhoea and higher mortality, while resistant pigs showed no mortality and no intestinal colonisation—highlighting genetics as a practical tool as reliance on antibiotics and zinc oxide declines.

✅ Read the full study here:

Gene editing meets the pasture:
Cattle with a slick coat, enhanced through a small gene edit and approved by the FDA, are better equipped to handle heat stress.

By helping cattle stay cooler in hot climates, this innovation supports animal well-being and productivity—a major step forward for more sustainable livestock production as global temperatures rise.

This is another real-world application of how gene editing is delivering practical, everyday benefits for farmers, animals, and the future of food. Follow along in our series on gene editing in action.

#geneeditinginaction #geneediting #Sustainability #FutureOfFarming #AnimalHealth

🧠 Practical innovation, built into your herd

📌 From AI-assisted sow scoring to PRRS resistance R&D, PIC genetics bring high-tech solutions without the complexity. It’s innovation you can use — today.

✅ Explore how PIC genetics future-proof your farm →

🌽 Feed less, produce more

📌 A 5% FCR improvement saves up to 18 kg of feed per pig — lowering both cost and emissions. Camborough® is now 5% better than EU benchmarks, delivering efficient growth at every stage.

✅ See how PIC boosts feed performance →https://gb.pic.com/newsletter-picmatters/

#PICUK #FeedEfficiency #CostControl #PigGenetics #SustainableFarming

“Gene editing offers incredible promise, but success depends on connecting with consumers and delivering benefits that align with their values,” said Charlie Arnot, CEO of The Center for Food Integrity. “Consumers are much more open to gene-edited products when the benefits are clear, personal and values-based.” 

See a summary of the research here and find more information at PRRSResistantPig.com. 

#geneediting #PRRSResistantPig #PRRS #AgInnovation

🧬 One more parity = more pigs, less cost

📌 Adding just one parity can save up to €50 per pig and reduce emissions per kg of pork. Camborough® sows average over 5 parities in top UK herds, with mortality under 8.5%.

✅ Learn how PIC delivers long-term value → https://gb.pic.com/products/camborough/

🌱 More pigs, less impact — it starts with genetics

📌 Camborough® and X54® sows now deliver +3.5 piglets/sow/decade and lower feed use — cutting farm emissions by 12% per pig since 2016. That’s sustainability you can measure.

✅ Discover how PIC helps you grow greener profits → https://gb.pic.com/products/camborough/

#PICUK #PigGenetics #Sustainability #FarmEfficiency #GreenerFarming

“Circana has conducted research on this topic for more than three years, consistently finding that gene-edited pork scores in the upper quintiles, which indicates average to above average purchase likelihood,” said Staci Covkin, Circana Principal of Innovation, Consumer & Shopper Insights.

Read the full press release to see more details about the research.

🎯 Genetics that prepare you for tomorrow
📌 Future diseases need proactive solutions. PIC is leading with:
• F18 & F4 resistance in maternal lines
• PRRS-resistant pigs
• GNX health performance tracking
• Immunity traits in sow selection

🐷 Stronger Starts, Fewer Losses
Every piglet lost before weaning is a missed opportunity—and a direct cost. In systems focused on output and welfare, survivability has become a make-or-break metric.
📈 A 1% increase in preweaning survival in a 1,000-sow herd = up to 400 more pigs/year. That’s more pigs to market—and more margin.
PIC genetics prioritize piglet robustness, not just prolificacy:
• Higher birthweight
• Improved uniformity and early suckling behaviour
• 93.5% survival in Camborough® herds
• >94% in elite X54® systems
Stronger starts mean smoother farrowings, fewer losses, and more confidence in your sow herd.
➡ Want to increase piglet survival and profitability? Ask us how Camborough® and X54® make it happen—and learn more about our genetic solutions.

🎯 Reliable reproductive cycles for long-lasting results
📌 PIC sows maintain over 2.4 farrowings/year until the 5th cycle, with short heats and consistent production. More regular cycles = fewer unproductive days and greater efficiency.
✅ Discover how PIC is building a solid foundation for the future!

🎯 Heavier at birth, more independent

📌 Fewer than 6% of Camborough® piglets weigh under 900 g today (vs. 10% in 2015). More weight = less care, better survival, and faster growth.

✅ See the impact of our maternal selection → https://gb.pic.com/newsletter-picmatters/

#PICUK #BirthWeight #VigorousPiglets #GeneticSelection #SwineGenetics

Gene editing meets your fruit bowl: Bananas that stay fresh longer, with a small gene edit, which is approved for sale in the U.S., Canada, and more.  
Scientists have developed a non-browning banana that stays fresh longer, helping reduce food waste: one of the biggest strains on our environment.
This is just one example of how innovation is delivering everyday benefits for a growing population.
Follow along in our new series on gene editing in action!

🎯 Smoother farrowing, fewer interventions
📌 Thanks to strong structure and calm behaviour, PIC sows reduce complications: less stress, fewer crushings, and more viable piglets from birth.
✅ Discover how PIC makes farrowing easier

Healthier pigs, healthier planet.
A new European Life Cycle Assessment confirms that a full program PIC pig (sire + dam) delivers a 7.7% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to the industry average.
As the FAO recently reported, 'improved genetics is one of the biggest opportunity for sustainably increasing productivity and decreasing GHG emissions in the livestock sector.
From innovations like our PRRS-resistant pig to continuous efficiency gains in our breeding lines, genetics are a powerful tool for building a more sustainable pork supply chain.

🎯 Robust sows with a calm temperament: ready for freedom
📌 PIC genetics such as Camborough® and X54® are designed to thrive in crate-free farrowing systems. Over 85% remain robust after five parities, with less than 5% culled for locomotion issues.
✅ Learn more about sows built for the future of farming

#PICUK #AnimalWelfare #RobustSow #CrateFreeFarrowing #SwineGenetics

From Europe to North America and beyond, experts agree that tackling PRRS through innovation could redefine the future of pig production.
Dr. Miguel Ángel Higuera from Spain shares how PRRS resistance, transparency, and scientific progress can drive healthier herds and more sustainable systems worldwide.
Read his full perspective and see how global progress starts with shared innovation.

#PigFarming #AgInnovation #PRRSResistantPig #SustainableFarming #AnimalWelfare #FutureOfFarming

🐖 Calm, sound sows = smoother days on-farm
📌 With >75% of PIC sows scoring 5–6 on leg structure and lower aggression, everyday tasks are faster, safer and more predictable — especially in lean teams.

✅ See how PIC females improve handling and barn flow → [link]
#PICUK #SowManagement #FarmEfficiency #StructureMatters #PigGenetics

Why are we talking about gene editing?

Because it’s one of the most important innovations shaping the future of agriculture, food and human health.

At PIC, we believe in its potential: our FDA-approved gene edit breeds pigs that are resistant to PRRS, one of the industry’s costliest diseases. This breakthrough shows how precise science can eliminate disease and deliver healthier animals, reduce the need for antibiotics, and create more sustainable pork production.

But gene editing doesn’t stop there. From improving crops to advancing nutrition and even treating disease, it’s changing how we address challenges in animal health, the environment and feeding a growing population.

This post is the start of a new series where we’ll explore some gene editing advances and what they mean for producers, veterinarians and consumers.

#geneeditinginaction #geneediting #FarmingFuture #AgInnovation #agriculture #PRRS"