The National Pork Board has issued a call for checkoff-funded research projects on sow longevity and pig transport. Application deadline is May 10 and funding starts July 1.
Research on sow longevity is to focus on reasons for sow culling, identification of breeding animals at risk of sudden death and sow welfare during the lactation to rebreeding interval.
The transportation studies are to examine pig welfare during hauling. The first request for projects compares truck designs and how they affect finishing pig welfare. The second request looks at the welfare of nursery and growing pigs during road transportation.
For more information, go to www.porkboard.org and click on the “2004 Research Solicitation” menu in the areas of animal science and animal welfare.