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Pig production

Home / Oferta Formativa / Coimbra Agricultural School / Bachelor / Bachelor in Animal Science

Base Knowledge

Basic knowledge of animal anatomy and physiology.

Teaching Methodologies

Classes are theoretical and practical. An expository methodology is used to present the theoretical material in an interactive way, followed by practical exercises or activities in ESAC’s pig farm and in private pig farms.
1) In the classroom with PowerPoint presentations, group workshops, and videos.
2) In the execution of practical work at the pig unit (ESAC’s pig farm and at private farms outside), in the laboratory (natural reproduction and artificial insemination).
3) In bibliographic research and analysis of articles and reports on the contents of the UC.

Learning Results

Understand general management, reproduction, feeding, health care and animal management for different pig farming systems. Plan housing that is suitable for animal welfare and productive efficiency. Propose feeding plans for different production stages. Define strategies for breeding and replacement in the adult herd. Identify symptoms for the main diseases or deficiencies. Recognize the process of transport, slaughter, processing, and marketing of pigs in Portugal.
 
 

Program

1. Evolution of pig herds.
1.1. Origin of pigs and their evolution. The main breeds of pigs.
1.2. Production Systems- Extensive, Intensive outdoor and Intensive
2. Reproductive and Food Management
2.1. Selection of breeders
2.2. Crossings
2.3. Reproductive physiology.
2.4. Artificial Insemination.
2.5. Pregnancy and Farrowing
2.6. Feeding during pregnancy and lactation
2.7. Weaning process
3. Nursing and weaned piglets – Feeding management and Critical Health Periods
3.1. Optimisation of environmental and feeding conditions.
3.2. Weaning of piglets
3.3. Fattening and finishing of pigs.
4. Pig housing
4.1. Equipment’s
4.2. Registers and Management
4.3. Effluent treatment
5. Production Systems
5.1. Breeding Pigs for slaughter
5.2. Multiplier and Core genetic companies.
6. Animal Health and Pig Diseases
7. Biosecurity in Pig units

Curricular Unit Teachers

Luísa Maria Chambel Filipe Lopes Leitão Martin

Internship(s)

NAO

Bibliography

Brent, G. – The Pigmans Hand Book. London. Farming press Ltd. 1995.
Carbo, C. – Ganado Porcino. Madrid. Ediciones Mundi Prensa. 1984.
Gadd, J Pig Production: What the Textbooks Don’t Tell You Publisher: Nottingham University Press, ISBN 10: 1904761216 ISBN 13: 9781904761211. Published 2005.
Hill, J.; Sainsbury, D. – The Health of Pigs (Nutrição, alojamentos e prevenção das doenças). England. Longman Scientific & Technical group ltd. 1995.
Muirhead, M.; Alexander, T. – Managing pig health and the treatment of disease. U.K. 5M Enterprises Ltd. 1997.
OIE 2022- Terrestrial Animal Health Code. Chapter 7.13.- Animal welfare and pig production systems. PDF Published 10/08/2022
Soulsby, E. – Helmintos, Artropodes y Protozoários de los Animales Domésticos, 7ª ed. México. Copyright by Nueva Editorial Interamericana. 1987.
Thornton, K. – Outdoor Pig Production. U.K., Farming Press Books. 1995.
 Whittemore C, I. Kyriazakis – Whittemore´s Science and Practice of Pig production. 3rd edition Blackwell Publishing, 2006