Pig Improver newsletters
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Early Pig Care- Temperature and Comfort Zone
December 11, 2018 |
As pork producers are aware, every weaned pig must thrive to maximize profitability. In previous Pig Improvers, we have reviewed the importance of good early pig care in achieving optimal lifetime performance. Early pig care matters. Proper early pig care can lead to better animal well-being, reduced losses and maximized profits. Let’s review how to achieve proper barn temperature and correctly use comfort zones.
Farrowing Room Preparation
November 20, 2018 |
A well-prepared farrowing room is critical to the success of a sow farm. Unfortunately, a proper setup is often deemed less important than other daily tasks on the farm. There are rules that everyone can follow to get the best environment for sows to deliver their piglets.
Brushing Up on Early Pig Care
November 1, 2018 |
To maximize the profitability of a pork operation, we must optimize the health and performance of every weaned pig.
A good start is critical for optimal lifetime performance.
What Do Consumers Want?
October 9, 2018 |
PIC keeps a close eye on market factors as they continuously affect producers, and we are driven to help make our customers the most successful pork producers in the world. Please read the latest insights on what consumers want in their pork now – and what they will likely want in the future.
Gilt Care- Let's Review
September 18. 2018 |
Proper gilt management means caring for gilts correctly from birth, not just during the weeks before breeding. We cannot treat gilts like market pigs or we risk their health, productivity and longevity in the herd. A long, productive and impactful life is the goal for every PIC sow. Correct cared-for gilts are the key.
Let’s review the key points of proper gilt care.
Why Heavy Weights are the Future of Pig Production
August 28, 2018 |
For decades, market pig weights have been steadily rising around the world. In the United States, market weights have increased by about one pound (~450 gram) every year over the last 30 years.
Why is the pork industry actively moving towards heavier market weights? The short answer is more profit. Within integrated production systems or simply at the processing plant, operational costs are the same no matter the weight of the pigs. Heavier carcass weights mean more saleable product is produced, with operational costs staying the same – and therefore more profit is achieved.
Colostrum Management
August 28, 2018 |
The importance of colostrum for the health of piglets is unquestioned. Colostrum provides energy and hydration to maintain vital bodily functions. It also provides protection against pathogens through local immunity (digestive) and systemic immunity. Pre-weaning mortality (PWM) continues to be one of the main challenges for the producer’s financial bottom line. Research shows that an amount of 200 cc of colostrum on day one increases survivability of piglets born in the 2 to 2.5-pound range (0.9 to 1.1 kilo) by 4 to 5 times (Ferrari et al (2014)).
The Non-Negotiable Basics to Develop High Lifetime Performance Gilts
August 7, 2018 |
“Gilts are the foundation of your herd. Industry-wide, there is still skepticism over how much gilts can impact overall whole herd results,” says Dr. Pedro Mosqueira, PIC Technical Services Manager. “We believe that there is still room for improvement in sow performance through proper gilt development.”
A Day with PIC's Pork Quality Team
July 17, 2018 |
Environmental factors account for the large majority – approximately 60-to-70 percent – of variation in pork quality. Guided by our Pork Quality Blueprint, PIC offers a system review service for its customers. This review service aims to help customers improve environmental factors that impact pork quality. The PIC Pork Quality team travels to PIC customers’ plants around the world, conducting up to 40 system reviews per year. What is involved in these reviews?
Feeding Gilts the Right Way
June 26, 2018 |
The North American pork industry is constantly striving to maximize performance and efficiency across all stages of production. Gilts must be given appropriate care in order to maximize their lifetime performance. Alongside proper gilt selection, environmental conditions and stocking densities, it is critical that gilts receive proper nutrition to prepare them for high lifetime performance.
Another Innovation Accelerates Genetic
June 5, 2018 |