PHOTO: VINCENT TER BEEK
SOURCE: SRUC TWITTER
Reproduction key at 13th Magapor ITM
Motility, extenders and gilt body weights were just some of the themes discussed at the most recent International Technical Meeting, organ- ised by swine reproduction experts Magapor. The 13th edition of the event zoomed in depth on current themes related to swine re- production. Over 400 breeding experts from 38 countries from all over the globe made it to Zaragoza, Spain, on 25 and 26 April 2018. They heard how Dr Marc Yeste, University of Girona, Spain, wondered whether sperm mo- tility is the most important parameter to as- sess the quality of sperm? The answer to that question is as always not a straightforward ‘yes’ or ‘no’. He explained that sperm motility indeed may be a crucial parameter – but it is certainly not the only one. Secondly, Dr Kara Stewart, Purdue University, USA, addressed the role of the boar in the adoption of reproductive technologies. One of the strategies to follow to improve the results of boar studs is to figure out whether it is possi- ble to achieve similar results with lower doses of semen. One other question that popped up in this context, she said, is whether all boars can perform equally at lowered doses. There appear to be differences, she said, so there is a need to produce consistent insemination doses. Joaquín Miguel, member of Magapor’s R&D team, shared the results of the Seminal Quality Monitoring and Control Plan, in Spanish abbre- viated to PSCCS. This is an annual quality control update of swine semen. His R&D colleague Dr Noelia Mendoza (pic- tured) presented an overview of which develop- ments are currently being investigated to im- prove boar semen extender. She summed up the functions of an extender – regulating pH, creating an osmotic balance, stabilising mem-
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branes, having an antibiotic function, providing energy, and neutralising metabolic waste. She touched on Magapor’s own semen extender Spermax, which has a strong antioxidant power. Associated with the Chung-Ang University in An- seong, South Korea, Prof Dr Myung-Geol Pang discussed parameters that might predict boar fertility. He spoke about methods which could identify high quality semen and biomarkers. Darwin Reicks, DVM, owner of Reicks Veteri- nary Research & Consulting, discussed a series of practical studies that might shed further light on day-to-day practice in boar studs. The first study he discussed investigated the relative low semen doses and poor quality in younger boars. He also touched on research projects regarding virus shedding through semen, referring to PEDv, PRRSv and Senecavirus A. Manuel Toledo is veterinarian at Agropecuar- ia Casanuevas, he spoke twice at the confer- ence. In the first session, he discussed sperm toxicity; the second he told about production management of the hyperprolific sow. In an interesting contribution from Brazil, Prof Fernando Bortolozzo of the Federal Univer- sity of Rio Grande do Sul discussed the body de- velopment of gilts from puberty to the 1st
wean-
ing and he wondered whether average daily gain should – or should not – be limited in modern genotype. He gave a clear overview at which weight to move each individual gilt to their first insemination sessions – as well as at which weight to have them at first farrowing and at first weaning. Pedro Ivo Quadros spoke about the quality standards for AI doses and the risk associated with using semen which falls outside these standards. He is CEO of Bretanha, the Magapor distributor in Brazil. The earlier problems occur in the reproduction chain, he said, the more likely it is that the effects will be felt later in the chain.
Smart tools and big data are key at a special event held by Pig Progress during the upcom- ing VIV Europe and Global Forum for Innova- tions in Agriculture (GFIA), held in co-location in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Speakers will touch on smart nutritional strategies, new in- sights in vaccination and the use of big data in pig management. The line-up is: * Angela van der Sanden, Connecting Agri and Food, the Netherlands: Smart stable;
* Daniel Ramírez, Nutriad, Belgium: Role of feed additives in future proof farming;
* Jonas Riess, Henke-Sass, Germany: Bring- ing intelligence to the treatment point – with HSW Eco-Matic & V-Etic;
* Steven Mitchell, Greengage, UK: Innova- tive ways of using LED lighting in a pig barn.
The event will be held in the Future Farming Theatre, organised by Pig Progress’ publishing company Proagrica, on June 21. It takes place in room Quest, Supernova in Jaarbeurs Utrecht. The event starts at 12.30pm. Entrance is free, pre-registration is recommended. Check
www.pigprogress.net for more info.
3D camera to prevent tail biting
A high-tech system involving 3D cameras could help farmers spot the early warning signs of tail biting in pigs, research in the UK has revealed. Research by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) has found pigs hold their tails down against their body when tail biting is about to begin. In ex- periments, researchers used 3D cameras, placed above feeders, to measure whether their tails were up and curly, or held down. The study was published in the scientific journal Plos One.
▶ PIG PROGRESS | Volume 34, No. 5, 2018
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