Background: Tail biting is a common problem in swine production. Tail biting not only causes economic losses for pork producers, but also results in major negative implications for welfare of pigs. Currently, the common method to prevent tail biting is…
Optimizing on-farm management of non-infectious sow lameness during the farrowing and lactation period
Modern commercial sow facilities are built with durability and cleanliness in mind. Floors in these facilities are often built using slatted concrete to ensure better ease in cleaning and manure management. Unfortunately, with such flooring systems, we often see an…
Automating Detection of Social Behavior Phenotypes and Improving Modeling of Indirect Genetic Effects to Breed for Less Aggression in Group-Housed Pigs
Using Behavioral and Genomic Tools to Identify Pigs Suited for Group Living
In pigs, social behaviors, such as fighting, can affect the performance of all pigs in a group or result in injury or lameness, leading to culling. Expanding genetic selection programs beyond production and health traits to encompass behavior will improve…
A review of heavy weight market pigs: status of knowledge and future needs assessment
Caring for compromised swine – an assessment swine marketed through buying stations and development of fitness for transport guidelines
Swine welfare during marketing, defined as the phase during which the pig is in transit between the farm and the meat processing plant, continues to be a priority for the swine industry. Buying stations represent an alternate marketing stream for…
The plasma and tissue pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in neonatal piglets.
Evaluation of the Kinect v2 motion-sensing camera to develop a rapid and effective tool for identifying compromised pigs
Evaluation of the Transmammary Delivery of Firocoxib in Sows to Alleviate Pain Associated with Piglet Castration, Teeth Clipping, & Tail Docking
Evaluating the effects of mitigation strategies on piglet welfare and future productivity after transport during different seasons
As consumer concern for swine welfare, husbandry methods, and antibiotic use in animal agriculture increase, so will the need for U.S. pork producers to demonstrate that current production practices not only increase animal performance, but also improve the overall health…