News article, 31. October 2023

THINK Piglet 2023: Reduced piglet mortality and welfare

Experts from around the world shared their knowledge of increasing the survival, productivity, health and welfare of piglets and the robustness of weaners.

Photo: Danish Agriculture & Food Council

The key questions at the Pig Research Summit: THINK Piglet 2023, held on 21 and 22 September at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Copenhagen were how piglet mortality could be reduced and how to ensure a high level of robustness and welfare for weaners. Representatives from over 30 countries gathered together to hear about the latest research into these areas.

Inoculation with probiotic cultures strengthens the immune system
Research from Lea Hansen, product manager at Chr. Hansen, showed how early inoculation with multi-strain probiotic cultures can have a positive, long-term effect on the intestinal culture of pigs, including a lower incidence of weaning diarrhoea and the possibility that early intervention can result in more resilience in challenging situations, e.g. during weaning.

Does the farrowing unit answer the sow, piglet and weaner’s requirements?
From a more practical perspective, a research study into the layout of the farrowing section, drawing on the findings of Y. M. Seddon, Assistant Professor at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, and Vivi A. Moustsen, Chief Scientist at SEGES Innovation, showed that more space in the pen is not only beneficial, but that the available space is adapted to the needs of the piglets and the sow. The study was prompted by the high expectations for the sow’s performance and that the design of farrowing sections is often an overlooked topic that can provide important knowledge. If the framework is not optimum, other initiatives and adjustments may have a limited effect.

See excerpt from the conference.

The congress was a collaboration between the Danish Agriculture & Food Council and SEGES Innovation.