Pig health and welfare in eco-efficient organic systems discussed at research seminar
June 13th, the Danish Organic RDD projects, VIPiglets, pECOSYSTEM and MAFFRA, presented results to and discussed recommendations with an international audience. Furthermore, international researchers where invited as guest speakers to share knowledge on research abroad.
The participants got the latest knowledge on how to reduce piglet mortality, improve health and welfare for weaning piglets and growing-finishing pigs, at the same time reducing the environmental impact. Knowledge gaps and research needs where also identified during the day.
A range stakeholders such as researchers, advisers, veterinarians, teachers and agricultural organisations participated in the event at Dronninglund Slot in the northern part of Jutland, Denmark.
The main purpose of the seminar where to discuss current knowledge and identify future research needs in organic pig production. Based on discussions of the day, a synopsis, identifying and prioritizing research needs, will be distributed to the EU-funding bodies.
The overall programme of the day included presentations of:
- Early piglet mortality in organic sow herds
- Improved health and welfare of weaning piglets
- Improved pen hygiene and welfare for growing-finishing pigs
- Improved animal welfare without increasing the environmental footprints
- Future research needs
See presentations from the seminar:
- Strategies for prevention of post weaning diarrhea, Charlotte Lauridsen, Department of Animal Science, Aarhus University
- USE OF ANTIBACTERIAL PLANTS AS FEED ADDITIVE TO REDUCE DIARRHEA IN WEANING PIGLETS, Martin Jensen, Department of Food Science, Aarhus University
- Clean pens? Let the pigs do the work! Hygiene in organic pig pens, Herman Vermeer Wageningen University & Research
- ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINTS OF INNOVATIONS TO IMPROVE ANIMAL WELFARE, Heidi Mai-Lis Andersen og Teodora Dorca-Preda, AU Foulum
- INTEGRATED PIGLET AND TREE BIOMASS PRODUCTION, Malene Jakobsen, PhD student at Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University
- Organic pig production -where are we now and where should we be by 2030? Sandra Edwards, Newcastle University
Visit the website of VIPiglets
Visit the website of pECOSYSTEM
Visit the website of MAFFRA
The projects are part of the Organic programme, which is coordinated by ICROFS (International Centre for Research in Organic Food Systems). They have received grants from ’Grønt Udviklings- og Demonstrationsprogram (GUDP)’ under the Ministry of Environment and Food of Denmark.