Swine Herd Management: Data-Driven Approaches for Productivity

Managing a swine herd requires continuous attention to reproduction, health, nutrition, and culling decisions. Data-driven approaches help farmers replace guesswork with measurable indicators that guide daily choices and long-term planning. This article explains how to build a practical herd management system using records that are already available on most farms, with attention to the limits of each metric and when to involve a veterinarian.

At a Glance: Core Herd Metrics and Their Use

The table below summarizes the main management areas covered in this article, the records needed to assess each area, and the decisions those records support.

Defining Herd Health Management as a Cyclical Process

Herd health management is a continuous process that involves planning, implementing, and evaluating decisions to promote normal biological function and prevent disease across the animals on a farm. The goal is to meet the producer's objectives for productivity, animal health, and external impacts such as environmental stewardship. This approach operates at three levels: strategic decisions about the overall direction of the farm, tactical decisions about specific practices, and operational decisions about daily tasks. Tactical decisions follow a repeating pattern that includes evaluating the current situation, defining goals, identifying risks, planning new practices, and monitoring indicators of success [14].

For a farmer, this means herd management is not a single event or a seasonal task. It is a cycle that repeats with each group of animals and each production period. The records you keep are the foundation of this cycle because they allow you to evaluate what happened, compare it to your goals, and adjust your practices.

Reproductive Efficiency: Measuring and Improving Breeding Performance

Reproductive performance is the engine of swine production. The number of pigs weaned per sow per year drives income, and the efficiency of breeding determines how many non-productive days each female contributes to the herd.

Key Reproductive Indicators

The most useful reproductive records include farrowing rate, weaning to estrus interval, weaning to conception interval, and pigs born alive per litter. A survey of swine farms in Punjab reported average farrowing rates near 71.5 percent, weaning to estrus intervals of about 8.3 days, and weaning to conception intervals of about 42.7 days. The same survey found average live litter size at birth of 9.9 piglets and at weaning of 8.1 piglets per farrowing [24]. These figures provide a reference range, but your farm's targets should be based on your own history and genetic potential.

Females that wean more piglets in one farrowing tend to produce more piglets at the next farrowing. This relationship suggests that lactation performance carries forward into subsequent reproductive cycles [22]. Tracking individual sow history across parities helps identify females that consistently perform well and those that do not.

Breeding Management Practices

Boar exposure after weaning should begin promptly. In the Punjab survey, most farms started boar exposure within one day after weaning, with exposure times varying from under two minutes to five minutes per sow on most farms. Natural mating was allowed within minutes to hours after estrus detection on all farms surveyed [24]. These practices reflect the importance of timely stimulation and correct timing of insemination.

The number of semen doses used can affect pregnancy rates. One study found that pregnancy rate was influenced by the number of semen doses, while farrowing rate remained above 90 percent regardless of the parameters evaluated [22]. This finding suggests that while dose number matters for conception, other factors such as housing and genetics may have less influence on farrowing success.

Housing Effects on Reproduction and Welfare

Housing systems during gestation can influence animal welfare indicators even when reproductive performance remains similar. A study comparing females housed in individual stalls throughout breeding and early gestation with females moved to group housing after 32 days of pregnancy found no effect of housing system on pregnancy or farrowing rates, with values above 90 percent. However, welfare indicators were more compromised in the system where animals remained in individual stalls during breeding and were group-housed afterward [22].

This distinction matters for farm planning. You can maintain reproductive output in different housing systems, but welfare outcomes may differ. If you observe welfare problems in your gestation housing, consider whether the system itself or the management within it is the cause.

Estrus Detection Technology

Traditional estrus detection methods require significant labor and expose workers to respiratory toxins, repetitive stress injuries, and chronic pain. Computer vision systems can analyze sow behavior and detect deviations that indicate health problems. These systems can detect estrus based on vulva characteristics and analyze thermal imagery for temperature changes that signal estrus. Automated systems work continuously and alert staff to anomalies for early intervention [21].

Infrared imaging combined with image segmentation models can localize the vulva on pig farms. One approach uses a U-Net semantic segmentation model trained on grayscale images and corresponding masks to identify the vulva region in infrared imagery [21]. This technology is still developing, but it points toward reduced labor requirements and more consistent estrus detection timing.

Reproductive Development of Replacement Animals

The developmental phase of replacement boars and sows establishes physiological benchmarks that correlate with adult reproductive performance. Birthweight and weaning weight show strong positive relationships with lifetime sperm production in boars and piglet production in sows. Delaying training for semen collection toward the end of pubertal development appears beneficial for lifetime productivity in boars. Inducing puberty early and breeding at subsequent estrous periods is positively correlated with adult reproductive performance in gilts [23].

For the functional phase, the primary emphasis is creating management conditions that minimize exposure to environmental stressors. A working knowledge of spermatogenesis and the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy is critical for this process [23]. This means paying attention to nutrition, housing, and handling of both boars and gilts during their development and breeding periods.

Health Monitoring: Using Records to Detect Problems Early

Health monitoring is most effective when it combines clinical observation with systematic record keeping. Disease can reduce the efficiency and profitability of the livestock sector, and quantifying disease burden helps prioritize animal health efforts [18].

Subclinical Disease Detection

Influenza A viruses are important respiratory pathogens of pigs that impact both animal health and productivity. A cross-sectional study of 100 Swiss pig herds found that 35 percent tested positive for influenza A virus, with a mean intra-herd detection rate of 8.5 percent. Among herds without clinical respiratory signs, 34.1 percent were influenza-positive [16]. This finding demonstrates that disease can circulate without visible signs, making routine monitoring essential.

The same study found trends toward higher influenza detection in herds with more intensive production or biosecurity shortcomings. Contact with other animal species and mixing between age groups may facilitate viral circulation [16]. These factors are within your control as a farm manager.

Environmental Factors in Respiratory Disease

Environmental conditions can exacerbate respiratory disease in herds with endemic infections. A study of a herd with endemic porcine pleuropneumonia caused by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae found a positive correlation between periods of elevated temperature or humidity and increased mortality associated with respiratory disease [17]. This finding suggests that climatic stress contributes to higher mortality in affected herds.

For practical management, this means tracking mortality alongside weather conditions. If you see mortality spikes during hot or humid periods in a herd with known respiratory disease, ventilation and cooling measures deserve priority.

Antimicrobial Use Patterns

Antimicrobial use in swine production shows clear disease-group-specific patterns. A survey of 13 Hungarian swine farms covering 15,725 sows found that the most frequently reported pathogens were Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, Lawsonia intracellularis, Escherichia coli, swine influenza virus, and Streptococcus suis. Streptococcus suis ranked as the leading damaging pathogen on 69 percent of farms. Among farms with antibiotic cost data, antibiotics accounted for a mean of 31.8 percent of veterinary drug expenditures [20].

Among farms with treatment-by-indication data, the highest relative frequency of reported treatment events was linked to porcine respiratory disease complex, where doxycycline represented 38 percent of reported treatment events. Colistin dominated E. coli-associated diarrhea control, while beta-lactams were central for Streptococcus suis-related disease [20]. These patterns support syndrome-focused stewardship, where treatment choices are guided by the specific disease group being addressed.

Biosecurity as a Health Management Tool

Biosecurity practices are effective for the control and eradication of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS). A study using machine learning on biosecurity assessments from 258 Japanese breeding farms identified different priorities for control versus eradication. For PRRS control, the prioritization of semen management and the maintenance of a controlled barn environment were critical elements. For PRRS eradication, the stringent management of replacement gilts, the exclusive use of semen from PRRS-free sources, and a comprehensive awareness of farm location were essential [25].

This distinction matters because control and eradication require different strategies. If your goal is to keep PRRS from spreading within an infected herd, focus on semen management and barn environment. If your goal is to eliminate the virus from the herd, focus on replacement gilt management and semen sourcing.

Herd Size and Disease Risk

Herd size is frequently studied as a risk factor for swine diseases, but the biological rationale for the association is rarely discussed. Biologically plausible reasons for a positive association between herd size and disease include a greater risk of pathogen introduction from outside the herd, greater risk of transmission within and among herds when the herd is large, and effects of management and environmental factors related to herd size. However, owners of large herds might more frequently adopt management and housing practices that mitigate this theoretically increased risk [11].

When evaluating disease patterns on your farm, consider whether herd size itself is the cause or whether management practices that accompany larger herds are responsible. Studies that evaluate management-related risk factors should account for herd size wherever possible [11].

Rotavirus and Management Practices

Group A porcine rotavirus diagnosis rates increased in Ontario swine herds between 1994 and 1997. Herd size was larger and weaning age was younger in rotavirus-positive herds compared with rotavirus-negative herds. Pigs raised in all-in all-out nurseries were 3.4 times more likely to have a positive group A rotavirus diagnosis than pigs in continuous flow facilities [12]. This study demonstrates that changes in rotavirus disease herd status are associated with changes in farm management practices, including farm expansion, early weaning, and all-in all-out production [12][27].

This finding is counterintuitive because all-in all-out production is generally considered a disease control measure. The association may reflect other factors that differ between facilities using these systems. When interpreting this finding for your farm, consider the full context of your nursery management instead of assuming all-in all-out production is harmful.

Nutrition and Nutrient Management

Nutrition directly affects reproductive performance, growth, and health. Nutrient management also has environmental implications that matter for regulatory compliance and neighbor relations.

Feeding Practices by Operation Size

A survey of 85 sow units and 132 finish floors found that large sow units and large finish floors were approximately twice as likely to use environmentally sound nutrient management practices as small operations. These large operations were more likely to use progressive feeding practices, to be aware of their nutrient flows, and to be capable of using these nutrients properly [10]. The study concluded that there is a need for greater environmental awareness among all swine producers, especially among small producers [10].

For small operations, this finding suggests that improving nutrient management does not require becoming large. It requires attention to the three components of the nutrient cycle: cropping, feeding and nutrition, and manure handling [10]. Even without the economy of scale that large farms enjoy, small farms can adopt progressive feeding practices and track nutrient flows.

Feeding Methods for Lactating Sows

Feeding methods for lactating sows vary between ad libitum feeding and gradual daily increase of concentrate feed. The Punjab survey found that feeding methods were divided between these two approaches, with some farms also incorporating kitchen waste [24]. The choice of feeding method affects milk production, sow body condition, and subsequent reproductive performance.

Nutrient Management Records

Accurate nutrient management requires records of what is fed, what is produced as manure, and what is applied to crops. These records support both environmental compliance and cost control. If you do not know your nutrient flows, you cannot make informed decisions about feed purchases, manure application rates, or crop fertilization.

Culling Decisions: Using Data to Improve Herd Genetics

Culling decisions determine the genetic trajectory of your herd and affect reproductive efficiency. Data-driven culling replaces emotional decisions with objective criteria.

Culling Guidelines Versus Actual Practice

A survey of 115 Japanese commercial herds participating in the PigCHAMP data-share program compared culling guidelines with actual culling practices. Ninety-two of the 115 herds returned appropriate data. For unmated gilts and sows, actual culling intervals were 15 days shorter than the guideline culling intervals in the surveyed data submitted by producers [13]. This shorter actual culling period for unmated gilts and sows did not vary significantly between herd productivity groups [13].

This finding suggests that producers often cull sooner than their own guidelines specify. If your guidelines say you will keep an unmated gilt for a certain period before culling, but you actually cull earlier, your records should reflect the actual practice. Otherwise, your guidelines are not serving their purpose.

Culling Reasons and Reproductive Life Stage

Culled gilts and sows can be divided into four groups based on the stages of their reproductive life when they were culled: unmated gilts, mated gilts, unmated sows, and mated sows. Culling intervals in unmated gilts and sows are defined as the number of days from birth or weaning to culling, while in mated gilts and sows culling intervals are the number of days from last service to culling [13]. Tracking culling reasons by these categories helps identify patterns that may indicate management problems.

Nurse Sow Selection

Nurse sow selection aims to ensure ideal sows are chosen to manage surplus piglets in hyper prolific herds. A study evaluating seven attributes found that sows' current litter health was the most important attribute, while parity was the least important. All six other attributes were significantly preferred over parity as the baseline [19].

The study also found differences in preferences based on manager characteristics. Female managers showed significant preferences for all attributes compared with male managers. Younger managers placed significant preference on sow physical qualities compared with older managers. Managers with up to 10 years of experience demonstrated wider significant preference profiles than those with more experience [19]. These differences suggest that nurse sow selection is not purely objective but reflects the experience and perspective of the person making the decision.

Reproductive Surgery Considerations

Reproductive surgery in commercial swine is limited by the relatively limited financial value of animals. In herds containing animals with high genetic value, biosecurity concerns often preclude the movement of animals to a hospital facility. Performing some procedures on the farm may be economically feasible and reduce culling rates [26].

The most frequently requested surgery in boars is castration, usually performed by management during the first week of age as part of on-farm processing. In adult boars, castration is occasionally requested to improve meat quality and reduce boar taint. Inguinal herniation, a common disorder in intact boars, often requires surgical correction. Because of the presumed heritable basis, surgery in animals intended for breeding should be discouraged. Surgical correction of cryptorchidism in breeding animals is strongly discouraged due to the likelihood of a heritable basis for the failure of testicular descent [26].

Practical Implementation: Building a Herd Management Dashboard

A herd management dashboard consolidates key metrics into a single view that supports decision making. The dashboard should be simple enough to maintain with existing labor but complete enough to reveal trends.

Step 1: Define Your Metrics

Select the metrics that matter most for your farm's goals. At minimum, track farrowing rate, pigs weaned per sow per year, weaning to estrus interval, mortality by stage, and culling reasons. Add metrics that address your specific challenges, such as treatment rates for respiratory disease or feed conversion ratios.

Step 2: Establish Recording Routines

Assign responsibility for each record type. Decide when records will be entered, whether daily, weekly, or at each event such as weaning or farrowing. The Punjab survey found that accurate and well maintained records were noticed at 66.7 percent of farms [24]. This means one third of farms lacked adequate records, which limits their ability to make data-driven decisions.

Step 3: Review Data at Fixed Intervals

Schedule regular reviews of your dashboard data. Weekly reviews catch emerging problems early. Monthly reviews identify trends that weekly reviews miss. Quarterly reviews support strategic decisions about genetics, facilities, and herd size.

Step 4: Compare to Targets and Benchmarks

Set targets based on your own history and genetic potential. Use published benchmarks as reference points, but recognize that your farm's circumstances may justify different targets. The disease burden in swine production can be substantial. One study estimated that in the absence of disease, 41 percent fewer sows, 3.5 percent fewer weaned piglets, and 1.5 percent fewer reared piglets would be required to produce the same number of slaughter pigs compared with current average production [18]. This estimate illustrates the potential productivity gains from improved health status.

Step 5: Act on Findings

Data without action has no value. When your dashboard reveals a problem, identify the likely cause and implement a corrective action. Monitor the metric after the change to confirm improvement.

Records and Measurements: What to Track and Why

The specific records you keep depend on your farm's goals and challenges. The following categories cover the essential areas.

Reproductive Records

For each female, track parity, service dates, boar or semen source, farrowing dates, pigs born alive, stillbirths, mummies, pigs weaned, and weaning weight. For each service, track the number of semen doses and the timing relative to estrus detection. These records support culling decisions and identify breeding management problems.

Health Records

For each treatment, record the animal identification, date, diagnosis or suspected condition, product used, dose, and route of administration. Track mortality by stage and cause. Record diagnostic test results and vaccination dates. These records support antimicrobial stewardship and biosecurity adjustments.

Nutrition Records

Track feed deliveries by stage, feed intake by group, body condition scores, and water consumption. Record feed formulation changes and the reasons for those changes. These records support cost control and nutrient management.

Environmental Records

Track temperature, humidity, and ventilation settings by barn. Record mortality spikes alongside weather conditions. These records help identify environmental triggers for disease outbreaks [17].

Common Failure Patterns in Herd Management

Understanding common failure patterns helps you recognize problems early and avoid repeating mistakes.

Inconsistent Record Keeping

Records that are entered irregularly or by different people without standardized definitions lose their value. If one person records weaning to estrus interval differently from another, the data cannot support reliable decisions. Establish clear definitions and train all staff who handle records.

Delayed Response to Indicators

Waiting until a problem becomes severe before acting increases the cost of the response. Subclinical disease can circulate without visible signs [16], so waiting for clinical signs means acting late. Regular review of dashboard data helps you respond to trends before they become outbreaks.

Confusing Correlation with Causation

Herd size is associated with disease risk, but the association may reflect management practices instead of size itself [11]. Similarly, all-in all-out production was associated with increased rotavirus diagnosis [12], but this does not mean all-in all-out production causes rotavirus. When you observe an association in your records, investigate the underlying mechanisms before changing practices.

Ignoring the Difference Between Control and Eradication

PRRS control and eradication require different biosecurity strategies [25]. If you apply control measures when your goal is eradication, you will not achieve your goal. Define your objective clearly and select practices that match it.

Culling Without Data

Culling decisions based on memory or impression instead of records lead to inconsistent genetic progress. The finding that actual culling intervals were shorter than guidelines [13] suggests that many producers rely on informal judgment instead of their stated criteria. Use your records to make culling decisions consistent with your goals.

Limitations of Data-Driven Approaches

Data-driven management has limits that farmers should recognize.

Data Quality Depends on Input Quality

The most sophisticated analysis cannot compensate for inaccurate or incomplete records. If your staff do not record treatments consistently, your antimicrobial use data will be wrong. Invest in training and verification of record keeping.

Benchmarks May Not Apply to Your Farm

Published benchmarks come from specific populations and production systems. Your farm's genetics, facilities, climate, and market may justify different targets. Use benchmarks as reference points, not absolute standards.

Associations Are Not Causes

Epidemiological studies identify associations, not causal relationships. The association between herd size and disease [11] does not prove that herd size causes disease. When you observe an association in your own records, consider alternative explanations before changing practices.

Technology Has Adoption Barriers

Computer vision systems for estrus detection [21] and other technologies require investment and training. The benefits may not justify the costs for all farms. Evaluate new technologies based on your specific labor situation and herd size.

Welfare and Safety Context

Animal welfare and worker safety are integral to herd management, not separate concerns.

Welfare Indicators in Gestation Housing

Housing systems can affect welfare indicators even when reproductive performance is similar [22]. If you observe welfare problems in your gestation housing, investigate the cause. The system itself may be the problem, or the management within the system may need adjustment.

Worker Safety in Estrus Detection

Traditional estrus detection methods expose workers to respiratory toxins, repetitive stress injuries, and chronic pain [21]. Automated systems can reduce these exposures, but they require investment. If you continue with manual detection, ensure workers have appropriate protective equipment and rotation of tasks.

Disease Burden and Welfare

Disease negatively affects the health and productivity of animals, reducing the efficiency and profitability of the livestock sector [18]. PRRS is associated with substantial economic losses, impaired herd health, increased antimicrobial use, and ongoing animal welfare concerns [15]. Controlling disease is both an economic and a welfare imperative.

Antimicrobial Stewardship

Antimicrobial use shows clear disease-group-specific patterns [20]. Understanding these patterns supports syndrome-focused stewardship, where treatment choices are guided by the specific disease group being addressed. Responsible antimicrobial use preserves the effectiveness of these drugs for future needs.

Professional Escalation Criteria

Knowing when to involve a veterinarian or other professional is a key management skill.

When to Call Your Veterinarian

Contact your veterinarian when you observe any of the following: mortality that exceeds your normal baseline, clinical signs of a disease you cannot diagnose, a sudden drop in reproductive performance, or a pattern of treatment failures. The role of veterinarians has shifted to a population-level oriented approach that may be denoted herd health management [14]. Your veterinarian can help you evaluate the current situation, define goals, identify risks, and plan new practices.

When to Seek Diagnostic Testing

Diagnostic testing is appropriate when you suspect a specific disease, when you are considering changes to vaccination programs, or when you are planning herd stabilization. Successful implementation of PRRSV stabilization programs was more frequently associated with veterinarians with long-lasting experience, open to evidence-based veterinary medicine, well-integrated in collaborative networks, and who had reliable access to diagnostic tools and vaccines [6]. Access to reliable diagnostics is a prerequisite for effective disease management.

When to Consider Specialized Consultation

Specialized consultation may be appropriate for complex problems such as PRRS eradication, antimicrobial stewardship programs, or facility design changes. The study of Ontario swine herd size management used discrete event simulation to explore mitigation scenarios for reducing herd size in response to processing disruptions [8]. This type of modeling is beyond the scope of most farms but illustrates the value of specialized expertise for crisis planning.

When to Escalate Beyond the Farm

Some situations require escalation beyond the farm veterinarian. Foreign animal disease incursions, unusual mortality patterns, or suspected regulatory violations should be reported to appropriate authorities. The Ontario study noted that swine production relies on national and international borders remaining open to both live pigs and pork [8]. Disease events that threaten market access require coordinated responses involving industry and government.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the single most important record to keep for reproductive management?

The most important record is pigs weaned per sow per year because it integrates farrowing rate, litter size, and non-productive days into a single metric. This measure reflects the combined effects of breeding management, lactation performance, and culling decisions. If you track only one reproductive metric, track this one.

How often should I review my herd data?

Review critical metrics weekly and comprehensive data monthly. Weekly reviews catch emerging problems such as rising mortality or treatment rates. Monthly reviews identify trends that weekly reviews miss, such as gradual declines in farrowing rate. Quarterly reviews support strategic decisions about genetics, facilities, and herd size.

What does a normal weaning to estrus interval look like?

A survey of swine farms in Punjab reported average weaning to estrus intervals of about 8.3 days [24]. Your farm's normal range depends on genetics, nutrition, and management. If your weaning to estrus interval is consistently longer than your historical baseline, investigate causes such as inadequate lactation feed intake, disease, or boar exposure problems.

How do I know if my culling criteria are working?

Compare your actual culling intervals and reasons with your stated guidelines. A study found that actual culling intervals for unmated gilts and sows were 15 days shorter than the guideline intervals [13]. If your actual practice differs from your guidelines, either adjust your guidelines to reflect reality or change your practice to match your guidelines.

What biosecurity practices matter most for PRRS control?

For PRRS control, the prioritization of semen management and the maintenance of a controlled barn environment are critical elements. For PRRS eradication, the stringent management of replacement gilts, the exclusive use of semen from PRRS-free sources, and a comprehensive awareness of farm location are essential [25]. Define your goal as control or eradication and select practices accordingly.

Can automated estrus detection replace manual detection?

Automated systems using computer vision and infrared imaging can detect estrus based on vulva characteristics and temperature changes [21]. These systems work continuously and alert staff to anomalies. They can reduce labor requirements and improve timing of insemination, but they require investment and training. Evaluate whether the benefits justify the costs for your farm.

How does herd size affect disease risk?

Herd size is associated with disease risk, but the association may reflect management practices instead of size itself. Larger herds face greater risk of pathogen introduction and transmission, but owners of large herds might more frequently adopt management and housing practices that mitigate this risk [11]. When evaluating disease patterns, consider whether herd size or management practices are the cause.

When should I involve a veterinarian in herd management?

Involve your veterinarian regularly for herd health management, also when problems arise. Herd health management is a continuous, cyclic process dealing with planning, implementing, and evaluating decisions [14]. Your veterinarian can help you evaluate the current situation, define goals, identify risks, and plan new practices. Escalate immediately if you observe unusual mortality, clinical signs you cannot diagnose, or sudden drops in reproductive performance.

Related Farming Guides

• Herd Data Management for Swine Production: Records and Analysis
• Dairy Cattle Farming: Nutrition, Housing, Health Signals, and Herd Management
• Mule Care and Management: Nutrition, Housing, and Health
• Swine Health Monitoring and Disease Prevention Programs
• Goat Herd Culling Decisions Based on Welfare and Records

References and Further Reading

• FAO Animal Production and Health. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
• Animal Health and Welfare. USDA National Agricultural Library.
• Animal and Veterinary Resources. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
• Animal Health and Welfare. World Organisation for Animal Health.
• Animal Production and Protection. USDA Agricultural Research Service.
• PRRS management by European swine veterinarians: a descriptive insight into practices and profiles.. Porcine health management, 2025.
• Herd management and subsistence practices as inferred from isotopic analysis of animals and plants at Bronze Age Politiko-Troullia, Cyprus.. PloS one, 2022.
• Management of Ontario swine herd size to optimize abattoir capacity constraints and current consumption of pork in Ontario, Canada using dynamic simulation experiments.. Canadian journal of veterinary research = Revue canadienne de recherche veterinaire, 2025.
• A descriptive study of on-farm biosecurity and management practices during the incursion of porcine epidemic diarrhea into Canadian swine herds, 2014.. Journal of veterinary science, 2020.
• Nutrient management practices among swine operations of various sizes.. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2000.
• Empirical and theoretical evidence for herd size as a risk factor for swine diseases.. Animal health research reviews, 2002.
• Relationship between group A porcine rotavirus and management practices in swine herds in Ontario.. The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne, 2003.
• A herd management survey on culling guidelines and actual culling practices in three herd groups based on reproductive productivity in Japanese commercial swine herds.. Journal of animal science, 2012.
• What is herd health management? A narrative review.. 2026.
• CRISPR mediated PRRS resistant pigs: biological success, welfare implications, and ethical regulatory challenges for sustainable swine production.. 2026.
• Epidemiology of Influenza A virus in Swiss pig herds: subclinical circulation and associated risk factors.. 2026.
• Epidemiological Analysis of Environmental Factors Affecting Porcine Pleuropneumonia in a Herd Endemic for &lt,i&gt,Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae&lt,/i&gt,.. 2026.
• The burden of disease in Swiss pork production.. 2025.
• Investigating attributes for selecting nurse sows in swine herds of Minnesota, USA, using Best-Worst Scaling analysis.. 2026.
• Disease-Group-Specific Antimicrobial Use Patterns and Farm-Level Stewardship Features in Large-Scale Hungarian Swine Herds: A Multi-Farm Survey.. 2026.
• Advanced Swine Management: Infrared Imaging for Precise Localization of Reproductive Organs in Livestock Monitoring. Digit., 2024.
• Evaluation of reproductive and animal welfare parameters of swine females of different genetic lines submitted to different reproductive management and housing systems during pregnancy. Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, 2020.
• Reproductive management of swine. 2020.
• Analysis of survey data of breeding herd for reproductive management practices in swine farms of Punjab. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences, 2019.
• Biosecurity practices useful for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome control and eradication on commercial swine farms using machine learning models.. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 2025.
• Common swine field reproductive surgeries. Clinical Theriogenology, 2023.
• Relationship between group A porcine rotavirus and management practices in swine herds in Ontario. Canadian Veterinary Journal, 2003.
• Factors associated with the seroprevalence of pseudorabies virus in breeding swine from quarantined herds.. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 1991.
• Factors associated with circulation of pseudorabies virus within swine herds.. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 1990.

This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis, treatment, public-health guidance, or regulatory reporting.