After providing a comprehensive review of the fundamental aspects of farrowing (physiology, facilities, organisation, etc.) in the first volume, in this second volume the authors focus on the next phase, lactation. From the technical and physiological aspects that affect both the mother and the piglet, to production targets, feeding, health programmes on the farm or personnel management. These are topics that will undoubtedly be helpful in the daily practice of professional veterinary surgeons. As in the previous volume, the authors have achieved a very practical book with rigorous contents, based on their experience and technical literature, accompanied by a large amount of visual material to complement the information given.
KEY FEATURES:
➜ An updated review of the new ways of working and managing moderns sow farms.
➜ With scientific, rigurous grounds.
➜ Pleasant to read, with numerous images and diagrams.
Authors:
EMILIO MAGALLÓN (COORDINATOR)
He is a member of Anaporc (Spanish Scientific Swine Production Association) and founding member of the AVPA (Association of Swine Veterinary Practitioners of Aragon).
ALBERTO GARCIA FLORES
Graduated in Veterinary Medicine from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Zaragoza, Spain, with a specialization in Animal Medicine and Health.
Table of contents:
1. Introduction
2. Technical and physiological considerations regarding lactation
Natural behaviour of the sow and piglet during lactation
Nursing
Behaviour of the sow in the
farrowing room
Weaning
Physiology of lactation
Mammary gland formation
Anatomical review of the mammary gland
Number and type of teats
Endocrinology of lactation
Lactogenesis
Maintenance of lactation (galactopoiesis)
Milk ejection
Lactation curve and milk production
Phases of nursing
Composition of colostrum
Composition of milk
Physiology of the suckling piglet
Mortality at birth-weaning
Hierarchy
Play
Physiology of weaning
Hormonal changes in the sow
Age at weaning
Weight at weaning and growth curve
Weaning and stress in the piglet
3. Environmental control
Environmental requirements of the lactating sow and piglet
Environmental control systems
Animal welfare requirements
4. Feeding of the lactating sow and piglet
Key concepts of nutrition
Feed requirements
Water requirements
Feeding of the lactating sow
Types of feed
Feeding curves
Feeding of the suckling piglet
Creep feed
Milk replacers
Yoghurt
Gel
Other dietary supplements
Body condition monitoring systems
Visual monitoring
Body condition scoring
Individual weight control with scales
Control of back fat thickness
Weight control using a measuring tape
5. Lactating sow management
Management practices during lactation
Different management strategies: cross-fostering, nurse sows, artificial lactations, complete lactations
6. Suckling piglet management
Piglet management
Processing of piglets: teeth clipping, tail docking,
identification...
Main piglet management procedures
Castration
Inguinal hernia surgery
7. Cross-fostering management
Introduction
Partial cross-fostering
Shunt fostering
8. Weaning management
Sow weaning management
Piglet weaning management
Age at weaning
Types of weaning. Partial weaning
9. Health programmes
Health strategy
Main diseases of the lactating sow
Mastitis
Digestive problems
Joint problems
Demineralisations
Main diseases of the piglet
Diarrhoeic problems
Parasitic problems
Coccidia
Ascaris
Exudative epidermitis
Meningitis
Others
Biosafety
Prophylactic programmes
Vaccines for the sow and piglet
Antiparasitic treatments
Systematic treatments
10. Personnel management
Necessary aspects for correct personnel management
Selection
Education
Motivation
Training
Planning
Responsibility
Communication
Staff turnover
Teamwork
Working with objectives
Work health and safety
11. Production targets during lactation
Concept of present sow
Concept of productive sow at first service
Concept of productive sow at first farrowing
Farrowing per sow and year
Weaned piglets per litter
Productivity per sow and year
Present sow
Productive sow at first service
Productive sow at farrowing
12. Conclusions
13. Reference list
ROBERTO BAUTISTA
Since 1997 he has been working for livestock production companies. In the swine sector he has worked as a veterinary surgeon for Inga Food, S.A., where he has been in charge of the technical, economic and clinical management of sow farms and fattening units for more than 15 years.
BORIS ALONSO
From 2001 to 2007, he was responsible for the management of pig fattening and breeding farms and since 2007 he has been working for the Technical Veterinary Service of Inga Food, S.A., in the region of Aragon.
OTHER AUTHORS
José Ignacio Cano, Silvia Almenara, Patricia Prieto, Pablo Magallón
