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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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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.