Proven welfare and resilience in organic pig production
Abstract
POWER addresses a range of trans-national challenges to organic pig farming. They are reflected in high piglet mortality, gut infections in young pigs and nutrient losses from outdoor areas. The project targets young pigs (piglets, weaners and growing-finishing pigs) and the overall aim is to improve resilience at animal and production system level. This will support the development of a diversity of ecologic and economic competitive organic pig systems across Europe. POWER provides new scientific and practical knowledge in 3 focus areas: 1) Design and management of housing systems offering growing-finishing pigs a stimulus-rich (natural) environment, whilst reducing the risk of emissions from outdoor areas, 2) Farrowing nest design and genetics to improve survival of piglets and 3) Management strategies to improve animal welfare and performance after weaning with emphasis on gut health. The focus on the vulnerable transition period at weaning will reduce stress and improve health and welfare, thus reducing the need for contentious inputs like antibiotics. The project involves partners in 8 countries with access to an extensive network in the organic sector supporting stakeholder driven activities throughout Europe. It will identify and demonstrate best practices in various combinations of housing and pasture systems related to animal welfare, feed efficiency and environmental impact. Finally, an overall assessment of cost effectiveness and environmental impact of the investigated innovations will assure practical guidelines on cost- and eco-efficient pig practice, which will be communicated in farmer targeted tutorial videos and manuals in several European languages. Through research on animal welfare, the farming environment and farm economics, and through best practices identified via the stakeholder network, POWER will contribute to resolving some of the most significant obstacles in current European organic pig farming with benefits for the whole pig sector.
Publikationen
Welfare and environmental impact of organic pig production. A collection of factsheets
Autoren: Früh, B; Andersen, HM-L; Baldinger, L; Bark, L; Bochicchio, D; Canario, L; Eppenstein, R; Heidbüchel, K; Holinger, M; Jenni, A; Knoll, M; Leeb, C; Merlot, E; Moakes, S; Prunier, A; Salomon, E; Thomsen, R; Vermeer, H; Wahlund, L; Wimmler, C; Kongsted, AG Jahr: 2022
Monographs
Project staff
Christine Leeb
Assoc. Prof. Priv.-Doz. Dr.med.vet. Christine Leeb
christine.leeb@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-93227
BOKU Project Leader
01.05.2018 - 31.10.2021
Cäcilia Wimmler
Dipl.-Ing. Cäcilia Wimmler
caecilia.wimmler@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-93224
Project Staff
01.05.2018 - 31.10.2021