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Pig production

Home / Oferta Formativa / Coimbra Agriculture 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. Overview of the pig farming sector in Portugal
1.1. Production structure, markets and marketing.
1.2. Production systems (extensive/intensive, free-range/confined)
1.3. Production methods (conventional/organic and others)
1.4. Breeds associated with the most widely used systems in Portugal
2. Housing, planning and management in pig farming
2.1. Sizing of housing and equipment
2.2. Environmental conditions and welfare
2.3. Licensing, storage and management of effluents
2.4. Records and performance indicators
3. Nutrition and formulation of optimised feed mixtures for pigs
4. Reproductive and feeding management of the adult herd
4.1. Selection of breeding stock
4.2. Crossbreeding
4.3. Reproductive physiology
4.4. Artificial insemination
4.5. Gestation and farrowing
4.6. Feeding during gestation and lactation.
4.7. Weaning process.
5. Feeding management and management of critical stages for young stock
5.1. Optimisation of environmental conditions and feeding.
5.2. Weaning of piglets and care
5.3. Fattening and finishing of pigs.
6. Transport, slaughter and marketing systems
6.1. Slaughter pigs
6.2. Breeding herds.
7. Prevention and identification of the most common diseases in pigs
8. Biosecurity strategies in pig farming

 

Curricular Unit Teachers

Luísa Maria Chambel Filipe Lopes Leitão Martin

Grading Methods

Continuous assessment consisting of:
- 2 short answer test (T1+T2)
-Practical report on work (in groups) carried out on the farm (R)
Final grade in continuous assessment = 0.25T1+0.5T2+0.25R
Exam assessment:
-Test with short answer and/or essay questions (E)
- Practical oral exam on the farm, which may be waived for those who performed the practical work and submitted the report (R) during the continuous assessment (P).
Final exam grade = 0.75E+ 0.25P

    Internship(s)

    NAO

    Bibliography

    Brent, G. – The Pigmans Hand Book. London. Farming press Ltd. 1995.
    Carr, J. – Guia practico para el manejo del ganado porcino, SERVET 2013. ISBN 9788494197543
    Gadd, J.- Pig Production: What the Textbooks Don’t Tell You Publisher: Nottingham University Press, 2005. ISBN 10: 1904761216
    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