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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 25th June 2013
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Sow nutrition for piglet quality
Professor Sandra Edwards

Conference brings presentation by pig nutritionist

A discussion at the BPEX Innovation Conference has highlighted how improvements to sow nutrition brings on piglet quality.

Speaking at the event, held on June 18 at Warwickshire's Stoneleigh Park, Professor Sandra Edwards shared her knowledge with a presentation.

"We need to feed sows to improve the quality of the placenta and thus the number of embryos implanted," said the pig nutritionist.

"Poorer quality placentas with poorer nutrient supply to the piglets are also linked to stillborns, which have been found to be longer and thinner."

Prof Edwards also explained that fermentable diets, including dextrose or lactose, have been found to produce more mature eggs, higher birthweights, lower birthweight variability and lower mortality.

She added: "Essential fatty acid, DHA, fed in the last month of pregnancy can help reduce stillbirths, despite sows having a longer farrowing duration."

Around 180 people attended the BPEX Innovation Conference, including pig producers and allied industry members.

Click here to view Prof Edwards' presentation.

Image courtesy of BPEX

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.