Lysine requirements of pigs divergent in breeding value for nitrogen efficiency

By Lisanne Verschuren Topigs Norsvin performed a study within the EU-project 3D’Omics, to find how the lysine content in feed relates with the different genetic potential for nitrogen efficiency. Animal groups with extreme high/low breeding values for nitrogen efficiency grew in a two-phase ad lib feeding program with high/medium/low levels of lysine. The experiment showed […]

Maintaining gilt performance whilst limiting feed consumption

By Debora Holanda Topigs Norsvin aims for continued sustainability and profitability of our customers in a changing world. In this context, it is important to find the balance between a controlled and sustainable growth rate of gilts and optimal sow lifetime productivity. This is especially true now as genetic selection continues to increase feed efficiency […]

Near-infrared spectroscopy to predict the composition of feces and nutrient digestibility

By Victor Lei and Rob Bergsma Topigs Norsvin’s relentless efforts to genetically improve feed efficiency of grower-finishers has led to a potential new selection characteristic: digestibility. Recent research has shown that selection on individual nutrients-digestibility in a diet, like protein or fiber digestibility can accelerate genetic selection on feed efficiency. Digestibility studies in animals, traditionally […]

Organoids are the future

By Lisanne Verschuren Organoids are organ-like cell cultures in a Petri dish. In our research, we focus on intestinal organoids from grower-finisher pigs. We collect adult stem cells from intestinal tissue and use those stem cells to grow organoids. This sounds a little sci-fi and, to be honest, it’s not easy. That’s why Topigs Norsvin […]

Improving nitrogen digestion to reduce greenhouse gasses

By Kristine Hov Martinsen Livestock products provide 34% of the protein consumed in human diets and make a significant contribution to the global food supply. Hence, efficient use of nutrients in animal production is important to accommodate human population growth, climate changes that generally hamper food production, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, and uncertainties concerning global […]