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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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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA announces 12th Edition of the Small Animal Formulary

The BSAVA has published an updated edition of its Small Animal Formulary, which includes new drug monographs and emergency drug doses for rabbits, rodents, birds and reptiles.

One of BSAVA's most trusted and widely used clinical resources, this 12th edition of the manual also includes seven new client information leaflets and information on drugs used for the management of urinary incontinence.

Part A of the Formulary, Canine and Feline, sees Fergus Allerton return as Editor-in-Chief, while Part B: Exotic Pets was edited by Joanna Hedley. For more information, visit the BSAVA website.