By Saskia Bloemhof, TOPIGS Research

The modern breeding of sows are already highly productive, but the potential still exists to achieve even better results for reproduction by selecting lines that are particularly robust and which therefore perform well under a range of environmental conditions. Continue Reading →

By Dr Jan Merks, director breeding & quality, TOPIGS

As an industry we already know a considerable amount about the risk that meat from entire male pigs may have an unpleasant odour and taste when cooked. This possibility is usually called boar taint. It has provided the economic justification over many years for the practice of surgical castration of all male piglets soon after birth, except those intended for breeding. Continue Reading →

By Dr Danie Visser (Part 2)

In this second of two articles, Dr Danie Visser, managing director of TOPIGS SA, takes a look at possible scenarios for pig breeding in future. Part 1 of the article appeared in the August/September issue of Porcus. Continue Reading →

By Dr Danie Visser, managing director: TOPIGS SA

Before one can discuss possible scenarios for big breeding in future, it is necessary to look at some general trends that will have an influence on agricultural production in the years to come. One also has to take note of the many techniques, some revolutionary, that have influenced animal breeding, and pig breeding in particular, over the years. These techniques have laid the foundation for modern pig breeding and many will still impact on breeding in the years ahead. Continue Reading →

By Francois du Toit, TOPIGS SA

Handling of semen is a very important aspect in the successful application of the artificial insemination tool in pig farming. There are a couple of aspects that need special attention when using this tool. Continue Reading →

Danie Visser, ARC-AII, Nov. 2003

INTRODUCTION

Carcass quality and meat quality have become increasingly important in modern day pig production. Wierenga (1998) indicated certain important changes in consumer patterns pertaining to product quality: Continue Reading →