Menu

Know How / Pigs / Health and welfare

Good health and welfare are paramount for all pig producers. Poor pig health and welfare affects performance and cost of production.

Keep up-to-date with the latest information on biosecurity and diseases such as PRRS, salmonella, enzootic pneumonia and African Swine Fever (ASF). You can also find solutions to help with tail biting and husbandry.

Must reads

Case studies

PIGS

How separate paddocks can improve gilt performance

Managing gilts and mature sows in separate paddocks has increased piglets a sow a year from 25.4 to 27.46 for Farmer Focus contributor Rob McGregor. Gilts of a similar age…

PIGS

7 ways to encourage a healthy gut microbiome in pigs

Ahealthy gut microbiome is the starting point for good pig health, say producers Karen and Stephen Thompson. They run a 200-sow indoor herd on a three-week batch system in south…

PIGS

How grass cover improves pig performance on outdoor units

Grass cover crops have led to improved pig performance, water and soil quality and increased biodiversity in trials based on two outdoor pig units in East Anglia. The trials are…

PIGS

Pig health and welfare underpin herd expansion

Adam Marshall, who farms alongside his father Adam and brother Charlie is committed to a future in pig farming. Together they are increasing their pig herd from 215 sows to…

PIGS

Single-parity move lifts pig herd performance

Setting up single-parity herds has been central to improving pig health across the entire breeding and finishing pig operation at North Farm Livestock (NFL) in Holt, Norfolk. NFL was one…

MEDICINES

How a pig farmer has overcome salmonella in weaner piglets

Pig farmer David Kemp has managed to beat a nasty outbreak of salmonella, in the process cutting antibiotics use to less than 1mg/kg. Mr Kemp, who runs a farrow-to-finishing enterprise…

Practical advice

See all

PIGS

How to plan and prepare for African swine fever

Pig producers are advised to double down on biosecurity and be as prepared as possible for the possibility of African swine fever crossing the Channel. The first case of African…

PIGS

The value of the dead pig: Benefit of post-mortems

Should I ever lose my phone, the finder would probably be quite concerned if they looked through my photos. Obviously, there are a few of my family and pets, but…

PIGS

On test: 3 types of shade for outdoor pigs

A Norfolk outdoor pig unit is trialling three ways of providing shade to find out which one offers the most practical solution to improving pig welfare and productivity. Digging wallows…

PIGS

Why lung scoring could improve pig health and welfare

Carrying out lung scoring at slaughter can help pig producers better monitor the respiratory health of their herd, improve welfare, and potentially save on vet and medicine bills in the…

LIVESTOCK

Why environmental monitoring can help pig health and welfare

Monitoring key environmental parameters in pig buildings can help producers understand their potential influence on pig health and behaviour, investigate the reasons behind problems and take steps to avoid them…

PIGS

5 ways to keep disease out of outdoor pig herds

African swine fever (ASF) is an ever-present risk to all pig herds, as are other endemic diseases that can affect health, welfare and productivity. Outdoor herds are at a higher…

Insights

OFC

OFC 2025: How gene editing in pigs can help eliminate disease

The Oxford Farming Conference returns next January with Farmers Weekly as the media partner. Farmers Weekly talks to one of the speakers, Dr Craig Lewis. The son of a pig…

PIGS

Pig tech promises 5-day advantage detecting coughs

A listening device that monitors coughing in pigs can alert the producer to the onset of respiratory disease up to five days earlier than farm personnel. SoundTalks, launched across the…

PIGS

Irish trial shows benefits of microbes for piglet gut health

Feeding piglets microbes from birth to support gut health can reduce scours, lower routine antibiotics use and improve average daily gain, research carried out at a commercial pig farm in…

LIVESTOCK

6 livestock tech developments to look out for

From driverless tractors to cameras for identifying diseases, several high-tech innovations are coming down the track. Farmers Weekly looks at six highlights. See also: NI farm transforms slurry and food…

PIGS

How improving gut health in pigs can reduce antibiotics use

Reducing the use of antimicrobials is a goal for pig producers globally. Improved gut health is rarely linked to this goal, but it is potentially a significant part of the…

HEALTH AND WELFARE

Vet survey reveals serious challenges ahead for profession

Poor retention and recruitment rates, Brexit and dissatisfaction in the industry could see a shortage of farm vets in the future if action isn’t taken.  Farmers Weekly carried out a…

PIGS

How lower-density starter diets can improve pig performance

A recent study carried out by Harper Adams and ForFarmers has found that, contrary to belief, lower-density starter diets don’t necessarily lead to lower performance. In fact, the study showed…

BUSINESS

Cranswick half-year profits soar

Meat processor Cranswick has posted a 31% increase in half-yearly profits to almost £61m. The Hull-based company exports pigmeat and supplies chicken and pork products to British retailers.   Figures…

PIGS

Survey highlights pig health worry ahead of zinc oxide ban

Weaning can be a stressful time for piglets and, when not managed correctly, can predispose them to conditions such as post-weaning diarrhoea (PWD). Zinc oxide has traditionally been fed after…

PIGS

How realistic is free-farrowing for the UK pig industry?

A ban on using farrowing crates on UK pig farms has been called for by a number of non-government organisations in recent years. Although there are no imminent plans to…

LIVESTOCK DISEASES

African swine fever threat: What farmers need to know

African swine fever is the biggest threat to commercial pig production the industry has ever seen, according to the World Organization for Animal Health. The WHO predicts that the viral…

PIGS

How pig breeding tech could help cut disease-related costs

Breeding technologies which help pigs become genetically healthier and less susceptible to illness could help the UK pork sector reduce antibiotics use and save millions of pounds every year. Losses in…

Online resources

Nadis livestock disease A-Z - Cattle

Learn more

Nadis livestock disease A-Z - Sheep

Learn more

Nadis livestock disease A-Z - Pigs

Learn more

Nadis livestock disease A-Z - Poultry

Learn more

Advertiser content

See all