Search Results (347)

The study aimed to determine the effect of blue lupin seeds (BLS) and rapeseed meal (RM) as substitutes for soybean meal (SBM) in feed mixtures for growing pigs on the quality of meat and health-promoting indices, and the quality of a model meat product. The experiment was performed with 20 growing pigs. The animals were divided into two groups (C—SBM; E—17.5% BLS and approx. 6.0% RM). In the first fattening period, the share of SBM was 2.0%, and in the second fattening period, its share was completely eliminated. The conducted experiment demonstrates no adverse effect of the feed mixtures containing BLS and RM on the chemical and physical parameters of pork and the finished product, which indicates their practical usability as feedstuff materials in the feeding of pigs. The improvement in dietary quality of pork, manifested in the slightly lower positive value for the meat color index L*, decrease in TI values (p = 0.093), and increased DFA:OFA value (p = 0.167), makes BLS and RM viable components of feed mixtures. Additionally, we found higher n-3 PUFA content (p = 0.001) in the meat from animals from group E, as well as lower cooking losses (p = 0.001). The satisfactory results of chemical analyses and consumer assessment prove the advisability of the use of protein substitutes for SBM in fattener feeding. Full article

Biosecurity is a key determinant of herd health, production efficiency, and disease prevention in modern pig farming under the continuing pressure of endemic and transboundary pathogens. The aim of this study was to assess external and internal biosecurity measures, together with selected disinfection-related practices, on 19 large commercial Hungarian pig farms representing farrowing, weaner, and fattening units. A convenience-sample, questionnaire-based survey was conducted between November 2020 and March 2021 among farm veterinarians, and the data were evaluated descriptively. Several external biosecurity elements were common, including perimeter fencing, careful animal sourcing, extended quarantine periods, and restrictive entry hygiene. However, weaknesses remained, particularly in feed-vehicle entry across the fence line, disinfection infrastructure, and feed storage protection. Internal biosecurity was more consistently implemented in farrowing, nursery, and fattening units than in sow units, while limitations in all-in/all-out management, airspace separation, inter-unit movement, hygiene barriers, and shared equipment management may increase within-farm pathogen transmission. These findings suggest that important biosecurity measures were widely applied, but their consistency and practical quality varied across key risk points. Owing to the small convenience sample, the results should be interpreted as descriptive findings for the surveyed farms. Full article

Iberian pigs reared in a semi-extensive outdoor system, known as cebo de campo, have their commercial feed supplemented with natural pasture. However, the availability and quality of pastures vary seasonally under the Mediterranean conditions of the southwestern Iberian Peninsula. This study evaluates the effect of the seasonal fattening period on fatty acid content and nutritional quality indices (atherogenic index, thrombogenic index, hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic ratio, and healthy fatty index) in subcutaneous adipose tissue and intramuscular fat from 258 purebred Iberian pigs raised under the cebo de campo system during three periods: winter–spring (December–April, n = 63), spring–summer (May–August, n = 99), and summer–autumn (August–November, n = 96). Winter–spring pigs exhibited significantly higher monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids and lower saturated fatty acids compared to spring–summer and summer–autumn groups in subcutaneous adipose tissue. Nutritional quality indices were more favorable in winter–spring pigs, indicating superior cardiovascular health benefits. Principal component analysis revealed clear seasonal group separation, with the first two components explaining 88.51% of the variance in subcutaneous fat. Significantly higher neophytadiene concentrations, a biomarker of pasture intake, in winter–spring pigs confirmed greater pasture consumption. These findings demonstrate that seasonal factors significantly influence the nutritional quality of meat produced in cebo de campo Iberian pig systems. This influence is much clearer in subcutaneous adipose tissue than intramuscular fat, as winter–spring fattening is associated with a more favorable lipid profile. Full article

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP) is the bacterial agent associated with porcine pleuropneumonia, a severe respiratory disease with significant economic impact due to increased mortality and elevated therapeutic costs, whose progression may be exacerbated by environmental factors. This study evaluates the impact of climatic factors, particularly temperature and relative humidity, on mortality in finishing pigs during the fattening phase within a herd with endemic porcine pleuropneumonia. Data were collected from a commercial swine farm between January 2021 and December 2024, including records of local climatic conditions (daily average temperature and relative humidity) and pig mortality rates. Statistical analysis revealed a positive correlation between periods of elevated temperature or humidity and increased mortality associated with respiratory diseases, suggesting that climatic stress contributes to higher mortality in this herd with endemic APP. Full article

The effect of Yucca schidigera extract (YSE; 10.8% saponins) on in vitro caecal disappearance (IVCD) was tested by incubating pre-digested feed with 0, 150, or 300 mg YSE/kg using caecal inocula from male and female pigs (Experiment 1). The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients and fermentation products were assessed in vivo in 40 crossbred finishing pigs fed with 0 or 300 mg YSE/kg for 42 days (Experiment 2). In Experiment 1, YSE did not affect IVCD or gas production, but reduced caecal ammonia-N across sexes (p < 0.05). Caecal pH decreased progressively with increasing YSE in female-derived inocula only (p = 0.015), and volatile fatty acid (VFA) were suppressed in females at the highest dose (p = 0.013), while male-derived inocula remained unaffected. Entire males exhibited higher IVCD (p < 0.001) and lower ammonia-N (p = 0.034) and VFA production (p < 0.10) than females. In Experiment 2, YSE did not influence faecal ammonia-N, or VFA profile (p > 0.10), but reduced the ATTD of crude protein (p < 0.001) and organic matter (p < 0.001) relative to the control diet. YSE selectively modulated in vitro caecal fermentation in pigs, but these effects were not confirmed in vivo. Full article

Animal welfare monitoring is essential in pig production. On-farm animal welfare (AW) assessments may provide a comprehensive overview but are resource-intensive. Abattoir-based assessments allow pigs from multiple farms to be inspected in a single facility. However, data on the relationship between these assessments remain limited, especially for heavy pigs (160–170 kg). This study investigates these associations in Italian heavy pig production. At the abattoir, 18,333 pig carcasses from 185 batches across 86 farms were scored for tail, skin (cranial and caudal) and ear lesions. On-farm AW assessments (management, structures and animal-based measures) were obtained from the national surveillance system (ClassyFarm). Tail lesion scores were higher in pigs with intact tails, whereas ear scores showed the opposite trend, suggesting a substitution effect between tail and ear biting. This indicates that tail docking is insufficient to fully prevent abnormal behaviours. Higher skin and ear scores were associated with suboptimal management, but tail scores were not, likely due to the multifactorial nature of tail biting. Herd size had no significant effect on welfare indicators. These results highlight the complexity of assessing AW and the importance of combining abattoir and farm data to obtain a more integrated monitoring system. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of a host-specific multi-lactic acid bacterial (MLAB) probiotic and sex on performance, carcass traits, meat quality, and gut microbiota in fattening pigs. Thirty-two crossbred pigs (10 ± 0.80 weeks; 23.43 ± 0.17 kg) were assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial design with diet (control or MLAB probiotics) and sex (barrow or female). The MLAB supplement consisted of seven lactic acid bacterial strains mixed in equal proportions (≈14.3% each)—Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus reuteri, Weissella cibaria, Lactobacillus paraplantarum, Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacillus pentosus, and Pediococcus pentosaceus—administered at 1 × 10⁹ CFU/kg feed for 12 weeks. MLAB probiotic supplementation reduced bone proportion while increasing skin and fat content (p < 0.05), with a treatment × sex interaction for loin eye area (p < 0.05). Meat quality improved in the MLAB group, showing higher ultimate pH and lower cooking loss (p < 0.05), indicating improved water-holding capacity. Female pigs exhibited higher early postmortem pH and protein content (p < 0.05). Microbiome analysis revealed increased abundances of Oxalobacteraceae and Paludibacteraceae and reduced Clostridium sensu stricto 6 (p < 0.05). These results suggest that host-adapted probiotics may support gut microbial balance and improve certain pork quality traits. Full article

The sustainability of livestock farming is becoming a key consideration in the European pork industry, particularly regarding the balance between intensive and extensive farming practices. This study focuses on the Iberian pig breed, assessing the pure breed and the Iberian × Duroc crossbreed and three production systems: intensive indoor fattening, outdoor intensive fattening, and free-range fattening, with an emphasis on their impact on both sustainability and pork quality. The quick-scan sustainability assessment tool developed within the H2020 project mEATquality was used to evaluate the environmental, social, and economic performance of each system. The results revealed that the free-range system performed best in environmental and economic sustainability, while the intensive indoor system showed higher economic stability. Significant differences in meat quality were observed based on the production system, including pH, fat and protein content, colour, texture, and fatty acid profiles. Notably, the free-range system produced pork with higher levels of MUFA and omega-3 fatty acids while intensive indoor showed a more favourable texture, while the intensive systems were associated with paler meat and higher SFA content. Indeed, the results highlighted a significant interaction between the production system × breed, indicating that the 100% Iberian is better adapted to the extensive systems. This study highlights the importance of integrating sustainability assessments with meat quality parameters to identify production methods that are both environmentally responsible and capable of meeting the consumer demand for high-quality pork. Full article

Wuzhishan pigs are a typical Chinese indigenous miniature pig breed, with thin skin and high amino acid content in muscle; slow weight gain and long feeding phases limit their value. As the primary digestive and absorptive organ, the intestine is crucial for growth, yet current studies on its development are limited. This study aimed to investigate intestinal physiological differences in Wuzhishan pigs across four phases (pre-weaning: 7, 14 days; weaning: 35, 38, 45 days; fattening: 70, 100 days; maturity: 180, 240 days) by evaluating intestinal morphology, digestive enzyme activity, gut microbiota diversity via 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and metabolite characteristics via metabolomic analysis. Results showed poor intestinal morphology and enzyme activity during weaning, significant ileal and colonic microbial diversity differences across phases, increased beneficial bacteria with age, and enriched opportunistic pathogens (Streptococcus, Romboutsia, Terrisporobacter) during weaning; weaning also had lower lipid metabolites, correlated with decreased Fusobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Muribaculaceae. Fattening enhanced amino acid metabolism, with increased Lactobacillus correlated with higher amino acids and muscle-related metabolites, while maturity increased immune-related metabolites (e.g., pyridoxine) in the vitamin B6 pathway. These results explain delayed rapid weight gain in Wuzhishan pigs and provide a theoretical basis for maintaining intestinal stability and production performance. Full article

The study aimed to determine the effect of newly developed multi-strain synbiotics on the hygienic quality of feed for pigs and pork edible raw materials originating from animals supplemented with synbiotics. The trial was conducted on 54 feed samples and 54 pigs. Animals were divided into six groups corresponding to three synbiotic preparations (A, B, C), two positive controls with probiotics (D, E), and a negative control (K) with no feed additive. The supplementation of the sow’s basal diet with the feed additive started 10 days before farrowing and continued for 38 days, covering the lactation period. The diet of piglets from groups A-E was supplemented with the feed additive starting from two weeks of age until slaughter at 24 weeks of age. Feed and animal raw materials were tested for the presence of Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp., L. monocytogenes, Clostridium spp., C. perfringens, C. botulinum, and the count of AMB, TPC, fungi, ASFB, C. perfringens, Enterobacteriaceae family, E. coli, presumptive B. cereus, CoPS, HS, LAB, yeast probiotic strains, and Enterococcus spp. Statistically significant differences were found between individual groups in the count of C. perfringens, AMB, TPC, Enterococcus spp., and LAB in all feeds tested. Moreover, synbiotics A, B, and C lowered the count of AMB, TPC, and LAB, and synbiotics A and C decreased Enterobacteriaceae family contamination in both total raw materials as well as raw materials of fatteners. The higher effectiveness of synbiotics was associated with a higher number of probiotic strains in one preparation. Our study found that dietary supplementation of synbiotics alters the occurrence of C. perfringens in feed and enhances the hygienic quality of edible pork raw materials. Full article

Ammonia is one of the most important and widely produced basic chemicals worldwide. However, this highly toxic gas is also produced in livestock farming and a variety of industrial processes, posing a potential threat to humans, animals and the environment and also significantly contributing to the formation of persistent particulate matter. The aim of this project was to develop a textile-based adsorber material and to demonstrate a suitable test system for purifying ammonia-contaminated air from production-related sources using the example of pig fattening and PCB production. This aim was achieved through the wash-resistant immobilization of polyacrylic acid on a polyester needle felt at laboratory, pilot plant and industrial scales. In addition, various system concepts have been developed in which air or phosphoric acid can flow through the adsorber textile, whereby in the latter case, the phosphoric acid is both actively involved in ammonia adsorption and also serves to elute the bound ammonia, enabling continuous and low-maintenance operation. Concurrently, the high-quality inorganic fertilizer ammonium phosphate is produced. In summary, an efficient alternative to existing solutions for ammonia minimization has been developed, which is fundamentally characterized by its universal applicability in different load scenarios, including small mobile systems in production facilities with local ammonia pollution, in addition to scenarios for large-scale agricultural operations. Full article

Environmental health and biosecurity in pig farms and surroundings are increasingly threatened by pathogenic bacteria carried by fine particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 μm or less (PM_2.5) in enclosed piggeries. However, limited attention has been given to these pathogens and their association with the respiratory microbiome of pigs. Using high-throughput sequencing, we investigated the overall and pathogenic bacterial communities attached to PM_2.5 in pig houses, as well as those in the upper (URT) and lower respiratory tracts (LRT) of healthy fattening pigs. Concentrations of PM_2.5, particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 10 μm or less (PM₁₀), ammonia (NH₃), total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) were significantly higher inside the piggery than in the surrounding environment. The composition of PM_2.5-associated bacteria varied with sampling height and showed greater similarity to the microbiota of the URT, particularly the oropharynx, than to that of the LRT. Additionally, 140 core potential bacterial pathogens were identified via Venn analysis in both PM_2.5 and respiratory tracts. Co-occurrence network analysis and community assembly patterns revealed that microbial communities in PM_2.5 and the respiratory tract exhibit distinct interaction and assembly characteristics. These findings highlight the potential role of PM_2.5 as a vector for respiratory pathogens and underscore the importance of air quality management in pig farming to safeguard environmental health. Full article

In intensive pig production systems, limited space and lack of enrichment materials (EMs) restrict natural behaviors, inducing chronic stress and impairing welfare and health. Conventional EMs such as straw and sawdust improve comfort but increase NH₃ and particulate emissions and hinder manure management on slatted floors. This study compared rice-straw silage (RS), sawdust (SD), and sling belt (SB) as EMs for growing-finishing pigs to evaluate their effects on growth performance, behavior, body lesions, cleanliness score of body, and pen air quality. A total of 344 crossbred pigs ([Landrace × Yorkshire] × Duroc, 30.5 ± 3.10 kg) were randomly allocated to four treatments: Control, 50% slatted and 50% solid flooring; RS, 100% solid flooring with a 7-cm layer of RS; SD, 100% solid flooring with a 7-cm layer of SD; SB, 50% slatted and 50% solid flooring with 10 SBs (1.5 m long and 75 mm wide). At week 10, the RS pigs had the lowest body weight. At week 0, the RS and SD pigs exhibited more positive behaviors, although the SD pigs also showed the highest number of injurious interactions at week 3. Between weeks 0 and 5, the SD pigs spent less time lateral lying and more time sternal lying, while during weeks 8–11, sitting was more prevalent. Both RS and SD groups exhibited lower cleanliness scores at week 6 and higher NH₃ and CO₂ levels at week 10. In conclusion, bedding materials such as RS and SD promoted positive behaviors during the early phase; however, prolonged use without adequate management impaired hygiene, air quality, resting behavior, and growth performance. These findings highlight the importance of the appropriate selection and management of EMs in intensive pig production systems. Full article

This review examined the environmental impact of fattening pigs, with particular focus on the Italian heavy fattening pig, affected by dietary interventions aimed at mitigating nitrogen excretion and gases emission into the atmosphere, maintaining product quality and complying with the regulation frameworks. In the Italian heavy pig supply chain, environmental regulations are often difficult to comply with due to the constraints imposed by PDO. The pig sector is increasingly committed to developing strategies that can effectively mitigate its environmental impacts. In intensive pig farming, emissions of ammonia (NH₃) and greenhouse gases (GHGs) can occur in every production phase, from animal housing to manure treatment, management, storage, and up to in-field application. All these phases present key actions to limit emissions of NH₃ and GHG, according to Best Available Techniques (BAT) for housing and Best Practices (BP) for manure treatments and management. Nitrogen excretion in manure is another important aspect to consider for its negative effects when applied in Vulnerable Zones with considerable additions of animal waste and synthetic fertilisers. Nutritional strategies can contribute a priori to mitigate nitrogen excretion, NH₃ emissions, and overall GHG output in heavy pigs, particularly in Italian PDO ham systems. While these interventions effectively mitigate NH₃ and influence manure-related emissions, their impact on total GHG varies depending on diet composition, fibre type, additive combination, and post-excretion treatment. Full article

The study investigated whether the full replacement of chemically solvent-extracted soybean meal (SM) with mechanically extracted soybean press cake (SC) could be carried out in pigs intended for dry-cured ham production. Eighty Italian heavy pigs were fattened and finished up to a body weight of 165 kg, with half being fed a commercial diet containing SM and the other half fed an isoenergetic and isonitrogenous diet in which SC fully replaced SM. Growth parameters, carcass traits, fresh meat and cured ham quality, and fatty acid composition were analyzed. Thighs were processed according to the Parma ham production rules, which require a long curing period. The only noteworthy differences observed concerned an increase in polyunsaturated fatty acid levels in the subcutaneous fat of the SC group compared with the SM group (17.26 vs. 14.58%, p < 0.05, in fresh thighs and 15.83 vs. 12.14%, p < 0.01, in cured hams), and particularly in linoleic acid (14.85 vs. 13.01%, p < 0.01 in fresh thighs and 13.72 vs. 10.64%, p < 0.01 in cured hams), which is consistent with general nutritional recommendations favoring unsaturated over saturated fatty acids. These modifications did not affect the final quality, oxidative stability, or visual appearance of the long-cured hams. In conclusion, soybean cake–based diets can be applied throughout the production cycle of heavy pigs; however, higher inclusion levels should be carefully managed, as they may affect parameters related to suitability for dry curing. Full article