Search Results (33)

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

Ensuring the required microclimate parameters is the most critical task in hot climates. In pig farms, air cooling is provided by means of steam-compression chillers or evaporative cooling, which is the simplest way to cool the air. The implementation of evaporative cooling depends largely on the interaction of the media involved in this process. This paper considers the process of interaction of cooling water with the surface of a cellular polycarbonate heat exchanger. A mathematical model describing the process of wetting the sprayed surface of the heat exchanger is obtained. The authors determined the theoretical water flow rate required to provide air cooling for a given operation mode. Experimental trials of a recuperative heat recovery unit with a heat exchanger made of cellular polycarbonate equipped with a water evaporative cooling system were carried out. The authors conducted a comparative assessment to evaluate the effectiveness of evaporative cooling in a heat recovery unit equipped with a polycarbonate heat exchanger versus panel evaporative systems using wetted paper pads at pig farms in the Vladimir and Tambov regions of Russia. The panel evaporative coolers provided a temperature reduction of 11.3 °C without any splashing effect. Under the same operating conditions, the heat recovery unit achieved an inlet air temperature reduction of 10.5 °C, accompanied by splashing. When the water flow rate supplied for evaporation was reduced until the splashing ceased, the cooling temperature drop decreased to 10.1 °C, which is 11% lower, compared with the paper pads. The study revealed characteristic operating modes for the unit that ensure effective air cooling, depending on the cooling water flow rate. Since the prevailing temperature during the system’s main operating time is significantly lower than the design temperature (the absolute temperature maximum), to achieve effective cooling of the supply air without splashing or excessive water waste, the cooling circuit water should circulate at a flow rate within 40 to 63% of the maximum design value. Alternatively, an automated control system should be employed to regulate the water supply based on outdoor air temperature and humidity. Full article

Slovenia preserves one autochthonous pig breed, the Krškopolje pig, whose meat has been reported to exhibit a favourable fatty acid profile compared with that of modern breeds. However, meat quality is not solely determined by genetics; the production system also influences it, as organic and conventional farming differ in feed composition, housing and outdoor access. This study aimed to compare the effects of pig breed (Krškopolje vs. modern) and production system (organic vs. conventional) on the fatty acid composition and volatile organic compound (VOC) profile of pork. Fatty acid composition was determined by GC-FID after methylation, and the VOCs profile was obtained using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with GC-MS. Results showed that Krškopolje meat had higher SFA and MUFA, while modern pig meat had higher PUFAs, particularly n-6, reflecting genetic and dietary influences. Modern breeds also showed greater fatty acid response to the rearing system than the Krškopolje breed. Several VOCs were unique to modern breed pigs, indicating breed-specific differences in lipid composition, amino acid metabolism, and microbial activity. Aldehydes were the dominant VOC class in both breeds, slightly higher in Krškopolje meat. OPLS-DA model revealed breed-related differences in VOCs, pinpointing compounds likely responsible for breed-specific aroma and flavour. Full article

This study aimed to provide the first characterization of the traditional farming systems and meat quality traits of the Black Alpine pig (BAP), an ecotype under recovery originating in the Italian Central Alps, reared under real, actual conditions. Productive and reproductive data were collected through on-farm visits from six BAP farms located in Northern Italy. Longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle and backfat samples from BAPs were collected in the same farms and analyzed for color, tenderness, proximate composition, and fatty acid profile. For exploratory purposes and to provide a descriptive benchmark of commercial pork (CP) quality, loin samples were purchased from the retail market. PLS-DA served as a discriminant model between BAP and CP meat samples on a multivariate data matrix. BAP farming was characterized as an en plein air system with high outdoor access and reliance on natural vegetation. BAPs showed high rusticity and slow growth. The LD muscle was characterized by a firm texture, an intense dark-red color, and a high proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids, reflecting traditional rustic meat features associated with the interaction between dietary, environmental, and genetic factors. Our preliminary results provided novel insights into BAP farming practices and meat quality, supporting the maintenance of this genetic resource through traditional farming and the preservation of biodiversity in alpine livestock, offering exploratory evidence of the current BAP farming system. Full article

Affordable optical data from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) coupled with process-based models could constitute an integrative platform to map complex spatio-temporal patterns of nitrate leaching and reduce uncertainties in tightening the nitrogen (N) cycle of silvopastoral systems. This study uses field data from a commercial farm in Denmark with lactating sows housed in paddocks with pastures flanking a central zone of poplars, either pruned (P) or unpruned (tall, T), each with resources (feed and hut) on the same (S) or opposite side (O) of the tree zone. The poplar leaf area index derived from canopy cover using a computer vision approach on true-colour UAV imagery was fed to a process-based model alongside soil data and geostatistical analyses to derive the soil water balance across the paddocks and explicitly map the variation in soil nitrate leaching. The results showed clear patterns not seen before of nitrate leaching hotspots shifting from high values in the pre-study year without animals to diluted lower values in the main study year involving the pigs. The results also showed a seasonal and spatial variation of 7 to 860 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, a wide leaching range otherwise difficult to capture, by employing only a process-based model using mean effective parameters. Nitrate leaching was in the order PO > PS > TO > TS. The N cycle was tightened with T regardless of S/O. The approach could be improved with more machine learning-aided process-based modelling to operationally monitor complex silvopastoral systems to alleviate nitrate leaching in outdoor pig systems. Full article

The gut microbiome of pigs is important for energy supply and impacts the animals’ health. Additionally, the microbiota can act as a reservoir for antimicrobial resistance genes (ARG). Different husbandry systems in pig farming can influence the microbiome and the overall composition of the resistome, i.e., the complete collection of ARG. In this study, pooled fecal samples were collected repeatedly in one pig farm over a period of two years. One group of animals was kept in organic husbandry conditions with access to an outdoor run, while the other group was kept according to conventional standards. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing was performed on the samples. Additionally, E. coli isolates were subjected to whole-genome sequencing and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Significant differences were observed in alpha and beta diversity in the microbiome between the two husbandry systems. Families enriched in the organic group included Prevotellaceae, Lachnospiraceae, and Cellulosilyticaceae, while Methanobacteriaceae showed a higher abundance in the conventional group. In the resistome, the differences were smaller, and the dominant genes were the same in both groups. However, there was a significant difference in beta diversity. In addition, the overall frequency of ARG, normalized by 16S rRNA gene content, was on average higher in the organic group. Overall, the husbandry system shaped the microbiome and—albeit to a lesser extent—the resistome in pigs from the same farm. Full article

The Nero di Lomellina (NL) pig, a newly established breed from the cross of the Poland China with the Berkshire breed, which was created to reconstitute a local breed called Nero di Cavour, was recognized by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture in 2020 (DM 12222/2020). The objective of this study is to investigate, for the first time, the zootechnical performance and environmental response of the NL breed in comparison with a commercial crossbreed (CH; Large White × Duroc). An evaluation was conducted of a traditional closed-cycle farming system rearing NL and CH mixed in the same units. Pigs were observed for two cycles of 10 months each, one with piglets born in winter and the other in summer, to evaluate the productive performance and stress response through hair cortisol (HCC) levels of the pigs according to environmental conditions. For this purpose, the temperature–humidity index (THI) was calculated for each phase of the two cycles, and the values were compared with the comfort zone values indicated by the Italian Classyfarm values. The NL pigs showed slower growth performance in the first phase, with a high THI (p < 0.05). In the R2 phase, the backfat thickness was higher in the NL than CH pigs (p < 0.001). The CH had consistently higher HCC compared with the NL pigs across the production phases, showing a potential higher response to chronic stress. It is worth noting that the NL weaners and growers seemed to better face a cold environment, referring to their growth performance in comparison with the commercial breed, although the local breeds usually show a slower growth rate and hair cortisol levels during the second cycle, which was characterized by prolonged low temperatures far from the comfort zones. More studies are needed to deepen the influence of the environment, as well as consider the outdoor conditions on the physiological status, productivity, and meat quality of this new breed. Full article

Consumer demand for high-quality products, combined with expectations for more sustainable production systems and animal welfare, is driving major changes in livestock farming practices. It is known that space allowance plays a central role in pig welfare, promoting resting and reducing the incidence of injuries and stress-related behaviors; however, there is little scientific evidence on the effect that available space has on the carcass and meat quality. In this study, space allowances were compared, in both an indoor conventional system (1.15, 1.9 and 3 m²/pig) and an indoor organic system with outdoor access (1.4 + 1, 2.6 + 2 and 3.9 + 3 m²/pig). The increase in space available for pigs had no effect on pig performance, carcass and meat quality characteristics, such as pH, drip and cooking loss. However, lowering stocking density in the conventional indoor housing system improved meat tenderness, as assessed by the Slice Shear Force test, while no difference was found between meat tenderness in organic pigs raised with three different stocking densities. Increased space allowance per pig reduced n-3 fatty acids in pig loins from both housing systems and n-6 fatty acids and PUFAs in loins from pigs reared in the organic housing system with both indoor and outdoor space. Full article

The understanding of sustainability is shifting from that of a purely environmental dimension to one that includes social concerns. Combined with the growing customer interest in livestock husbandry practices, this study investigates the assessment of animal welfare as a socially influenced impact category for the life cycle assessment (LCA) of pig farming. The weighting of animal welfare impacts is based on a quantitative approach using a set of indicators derived from an expert survey using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The aim is to develop an easy-to-implement score that translates the characteristics of several animal welfare indicators into a comparable value. To demonstrate the feasibility of the weighting part of the framework, a case study is conducted with nine experts in the fields of animal husbandry, agricultural sciences, and veterinary medicine. The case study results show that the main criteria of single animal observation and feed intake are the most relevant factors, at 30.6%, followed by operation-specific parameters at 23.9% and husbandry conditions at 14.9%. This case study highlights that animal losses (13.9%) significantly influence the impact category, while access to outdoor areas (1.4%) is less important. The overall conclusion is that an animal health-centered approach is preferable when assessing animal welfare. Full article

Pigs are the most common amplifying hosts of the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). In 2016, four residents on Tsushima Island who did not own pig farms were diagnosed with JE. Therefore, a serosurvey was conducted to estimate the risk and seroprevalence of JEV after the outbreak. Sera collected from 560 Tsushima Island residents between January and September 2017 were tested for neutralizing antibodies against JEV strains JaGAr01 (genotype 3) and Muar (genotype 5). Sera collected from six wild boars between June and July 2022 were tested. The seroprevalence rates of neutralizing antibodies against JaGAr01 and Muar were 38.8% and 24.6%, respectively. High anti-JEV neutralizing antibody titers of ≥320 were identified in 16 residents, including 3 younger than 6 years with prior JEV vaccination, 2 in their 40s, and 11 older than 70. However, no anti-JEV-specific IgM was detected. Residents who engaged in outdoor activities had higher anti-JEV antibody titers. Sera from wild boars were negative for JEV RNA, but four of six samples contained neutralizing antibodies against JEV. Therefore, JEV transmission continues on Tsushima Island, even in the absence of pig farms, and wild boars might serve as the amplifying hosts. Full article

Traditional outdoor pig farming is renowned for its emphasis on animal welfare and the production of highly valued, quality meat. While seasonality is known to impact certain animals, particularly those raised outdoors, there is a lack of research on Bísaro boars, a native Portuguese breed. This research study was conducted on a total of 20 male entire Bísaro pigs, reared in outdoor pens from 4 to 13 months old, and subsequently slaughtered. The animals were divided into two groups: one slaughtered in winter (Wi, n = 9), and the other in summer (Su, n = 11). The objective was to evaluate testicular morphometry, boar taint compounds, and meat quality traits, including sensory analysis and fatty acid profile. Testicles from the Su group exhibited reduced volume, indicating diminished functionality during that season. While no significant differences were observed in the boar taint compound analysis, panelists could discern a more intense aroma and flavor of boar taint in the Su meat. Other meat quality traits showed no significant variations, but the fatty acid profile displayed higher values in the Wi group. This study reveals that Bísaro boars experience reproductive seasonality, leading to variations in boar taint compounds across the seasons. This information is crucial for farm planning. Full article

Wild animals and pests are important reservoirs and vectors of pathogenic agents that can affect domestic pigs. Rapid globalization, anthropogenic factors, and increasing trends toward outdoor pig production facilitate the contact between domestic pigs and wildlife. However, knowledge on the transmission pathways between domestic pigs and the aforementioned target groups is limited. The present systematic review aims to collect and analyze information on the roles of different wild animal species and pests in the spread of pathogens to domesticated pigs. Overall, 1250 peer-reviewed manuscripts published in English between 2010 and 2022 were screened through the PRISMA framework using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. A total of 84 studies reporting possible transmission routes of different pathogenic agents were included. A majority of the studies (80%) focused on the role of wild boars in the transmission of pathogenic agents to pig farms. Studies involving the role of rodents (7%), and deer (6%) were the next most frequent, whereas the role of insects (5%), wild carnivores (5%), wild birds (4%), cats (2%), and badgers (1%) were less available. Only 3.5% of studies presented evidence-based transmission routes from wildlife to domestic pigs. Approximately 65.5% of the included studies described possible risks/risk factors for pathogens’ transmission based on quantitative data, whereas 31% of the articles only presented a hypothesis or qualitative analysis of possible transmission routes or risk factors and/or contact rates. Risk factors identified include outdoor farms or extensive systems and farms with a low level of biosecurity as well as wildlife behavior; environmental conditions; human activities and movements; fomites, feed (swill feeding), water, carcasses, and bedding materials. We recommend the strengthening of farm biosecurity frameworks with special attention to wildlife-associated parameters, especially in extensive rearing systems and high-risk zones as it was repeatedly found to be an important measure to prevent pathogen transmission to domestic pigs. In addition, there is a need to focus on effective risk-based wildlife surveillance mechanisms and to raise awareness among farmers about existing wildlife-associated risk factors for disease transmission. Full article

In a previous study, a semi-quantitative risk assessment was developed to rank pig holdings in terms of likelihood of introducing African swine fever virus (ASFV) by assessing their compliance with biosecurity and exposure to geographical risk factors. The method was initially developed for confined pig holdings, but given that ASF is endemic in wild boar of several countries, we modified the approach to make it suitable for free-range farms as well. In the current study, a total of 41 outdoor pig farms were assessed in an area where exposure to wild boar was generally high (density from 2.3 to 10.3 wild boar per Km²). As expected, non-compliance with biosecurity measures was frequent in outdoor farms, and the frequency of non-compliance indicated that the absence of adequate separation of pigs from the external environment was the major weakness in the farms assessed. In 46.3% of them, there was no fence or, if present, it was not adequate to avoid contact with wild boar. However, the approach adopted proved to be suitable for identifying intervention priorities to mitigate the risk of ASFV spread in free-range pig herds and for identifying the weaknesses of individual farms, as recommended by EFSA in 2021, which suggests implementing tools to improve biosecurity by favoring higher-risk farms. Full article

African Swine Fever (ASF) is persistently spreading and hindering pork production in Europe. Slovenia is one of the last countries in Central Europe without a confirmed ASF case in domestic pigs or in wild boar. The aim of this study was to assess the current biosecurity implementation on different types of pig farms. Internal and external biosecurity status was determined in 17 commercial (CF), 15 non-commercial (NC), and 15 outdoor (O) farms. Data were collected using the Biocheck.UGent questionnaire and assessed in combination with the latest information on the wild boar population in Slovenia. Biosecurity was compared between farm types based on the assessment of 12 subcategories. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were found in six subcategories: (i) purchase of pigs and semen, (ii) visitors and farmworkers, (iii) vermin and bird control, (iv) finishing unit, (v) measures between compartments and use of equipment, and (vi) cleaning and disinfection. The highest total biosecurity score (0–100%) was determined on CF with 64.59 ± 16.47%, followed by NC with 55.73 ± 10.67%, and O with 48.47 ± 8.20%. The density of the wild boar population was estimated from the number of wild boars per km² per year, with 3 or more hunted wild boars per unit representing the highest density. Geolocation of farms on the wild boar population map showed that two O farms are at high risk and seven farms (1 O, 5 NC, and 1 CF) are at medium risk for disease transmission from wild to domestic pigs. Biosecurity measures must be tightened in some subcategories, especially in areas with a high density of wild boar. Full article

The current Quality Standard regulating the Iberian pig provides for various differentiated farming systems subject to the type of management implemented and the breed of the pigs. This study attempts to analyse the differences between two of these production systems, i.e., the outdoor and the indoor rearing systems by comparing the main technical and economic factors of six farms, three operating under each system, in order to ascertain the most profitable production system. This analysis is based on the information provided by the farm owners. It also evaluates the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak had on profitability. The results show that both systems spend the same resources on animal feed, which represents nearly 60% of the expense, with the price of purchase of piglets representing 30–32% of the total; however, there are differences in the cost of labour, which is higher in the outdoor variant. In economic terms, outdoor farms obtained a higher gross margin than indoor farms did. Although their production costs are higher, these are offset with larger incomes due to the higher market price of the pigs at the time of slaughter. Lastly, all the farms under study reveal large financial losses on account of COVID-19, given that there was a general decrease in the revenues due to the decrease in the selling price of the pigs, which seems to be the most determinant factor for the economic profits made by these kinds of farms. Full article