Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Sow nutrition for piglet quality
Professor Sandra Edwards

Conference brings presentation by pig nutritionist

A discussion at the BPEX Innovation Conference has highlighted how improvements to sow nutrition brings on piglet quality.

Speaking at the event, held on June 18 at Warwickshire's Stoneleigh Park, Professor Sandra Edwards shared her knowledge with a presentation.

"We need to feed sows to improve the quality of the placenta and thus the number of embryos implanted," said the pig nutritionist.

"Poorer quality placentas with poorer nutrient supply to the piglets are also linked to stillborns, which have been found to be longer and thinner."

Prof Edwards also explained that fermentable diets, including dextrose or lactose, have been found to produce more mature eggs, higher birthweights, lower birthweight variability and lower mortality.

She added: "Essential fatty acid, DHA, fed in the last month of pregnancy can help reduce stillbirths, despite sows having a longer farrowing duration."

Around 180 people attended the BPEX Innovation Conference, including pig producers and allied industry members.

Click here to view Prof Edwards' presentation.

Image courtesy of BPEX

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

FIVP launches CMA remedies survey

News Story 1
 FIVP has shared a survey, inviting those working in independent practice to share their views on the CMA's proposed remedies.

The Impact Assessment will help inform the group's response to the CMA, as it prepares to submit further evidence to the Inquiry Group. FIVP will also be attending a hearing in November.

Data will be anonymised and used solely for FIVP's response to the CMA. The survey will close on Friday, 31 October 2025. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
CMA to host webinar exploring provisional decisions

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is to host a webinar for veterinary professionals to explain the details of its provisional decisions, released on 15 October 2025.

The webinar will take place on Wednesday, 29 October 2025 from 1.00pm to 2.00pm.

Officials will discuss the changes which those in practice may need to make if the provisional remedies go ahead. They will also share what happens next with the investigation.

The CMA will be answering questions from the main parties of the investigation, as well as other questions submitted ahead of the webinar.

Attendees can register here before Wednesday, 29 October at 11am. Questions must be submitted before 10am on 27 October.

A recording of the webinar will be accessible after the event.