Publications by authors named "Jena Alexopoulos"
Multiple studies have quantified the production differences of Hereford Angus crossbreds compared to purebred Angus for a range of traits including growth, carcass, and reproductive traits. This study aims to quantify breed and heterosis effects on maternal performance using genomics. Thirty Hereford and thirty Angus sires were mated to 1100 Angus heifers and cows in a large commercial herd run on pasture at Musselroe Bay, Tasmania, Australia.
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- The study tested two hypotheses about how summer breeding affects piglet birth weight and whether dextrose supplementation could help.
- The experiment involved 591 sows split into two groups: one on a standard diet and the other receiving 5% dextrose until insemination.
- Results showed that dextrose-supplemented sows had larger litters, and although summer breeding led to more variation in birth weight, dextrose improved growth rates of piglets born in winter.
Piglet movement from one sow to another, or fostering, is required in modern pig farming but there is little available literature on the most effective strategy. In this review, we focus on the behavioural and physiological mechanisms responsible for piglet survival and growth, and have identified six key principles. (1) Colostrum provides piglets with warmth, energy and immunity.
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