Programme

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Leading international keynote speakers present the latest research on the most critical topics in sow longevity, from mortality and survival to farrowing management and piglet life.

Both days also feature oral abstract presentations, debates, flash talks and poster sessions, bringing together the latest research and practical insights.

Day 1 (09:30 – 18:00)

Morning programme – 09.30-11.50

Arrival & Coffee

Welcome to the Conference

Christian Fink Hansen, Director, Danish Agriculture & Food Council

Opening speaker - TBA

Opening speak

The good sow life - present and future perspectives

Keynote Speaker | Emma Baxter, Associated Professor, Scotland Rural College (read more)

Theme: Understanding Sow Mortality

Clinical aspects of sow mortality

Keynote Speaker | Ken Steen Pedersen, Professor of Porcine Health Management, University of Copenhagen (read more)

Oral presentations

Regional differences in sow removal patterns across four major swine-producing regions

Maria Ros Fuertes, PIC

Understanding sow mortality through production records and field necropsies: when and why sows are lost

Mar Avilés, Lleidambient S.L.

Lunch

Afternoon programme – 12.50-18.00

Theme: Improving the next generation of sows

It is all about the gilt - Age weight and backfat at first service affects longevity and lifetime performance

Keynote speaker | Thomas Sønderby Bruun, Senior Specialist in Nutrition & Feeding, SEGES Innovation (read more)

Improving sow longevity through claw health management.

Keynote speaker | Christoph Mülling, Professor of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Leipzig (read more)

Oral presentations

How fast should gilts grow? Effects of rearing growth rate on sow performance

Xandra Benthem De Grave, Schothorst Feed Research

Timing of trace mineral-amino acid complex program adoption reduces white line lesion occurrence across the reproductive lifespan of sows

Lucas Alves Rodrigues, Zinpro

Theme: Improving sow survival

The Sow Welfare Paradox: Welfare ‘wins’ and longevity losses

Keynote speaker | Laura Boyle, Research Officer, Teagasc (read more)

No teeth, no feet, no future? Dental and claw health in Swedish sows

Keynote speaker | Kaisa Ryyty Sylvén, DVM, Dipl. ECPHM, Gård & Djurhälsan (read more)
Keynote speaker | Anna Haglund, DVM, Gård & Djurhälsan (read more)

Oral presentation

Risk factors behind poor sow stability and low gilt retention in Spanish commercial farms

Aitor Arrazola, IRTA

Risk factors behind poor sow ’Blood biomarkers and sow survival – a Denmark and USA case study

Ursula McCormack

Debate

Key Takeaways and thank you

Poster presentations

Day 2 (08:00 – 15:00)

Morning programme – 08.00-11.00

DanBred

Theme: Managing sow health around farrowing

Bridging biology and precision farming: Innovations in sow health management

Keynote speaker | Marianne Kaiser, Tenure Track Assistant Professor, Aarhus University (read more)

Managing the farrowing process of sows in free farrowing systems

Keynote speaker | Alexander Grahofer, Associated professor and lecturer, University of Bern (read more)

Oral presentation

Hydrolyzed yeast supplementation during late gestation and lactation improves piglet weaning performance

Emilian König, Hankkija Oy

Feeding the Prolific Sow for Long Term Success: A Nutrient-Enriched Diet for the Late-Gestation Phase Improved Sow Outcomes at Farrowing, Success in the Next Reproductive Cycle, and Progeny Survival during Lactation

Katlyn McClellan, University of Illinois

Lunch

Afternoon programme – 12.00-15.00

Theme: Improving lactation and piglet life

Feeding the first days of life: Transition feeding and colostrum production and their implications for piglet survival

Keynote speaker | Takele Feyera, Assistant Professor, Aarhus University (read more)

Feeding for the Long Term: Optimizing Lactation Nutrition to Support Litter Performance and Sow Retention

Keynote speaker | Jason Woodworth, Research Professor, Kansas State University (read more)

5 minute flash-talks (order subject to change)

Effects of increasing the dietary level of potassium during transition and on sow blood parameters and colostrum and milk production

Anja Varmløse Strathe, University of Copenhagen

Supporting sow resilience during farrowing and lactation through nutrition: parity-dependent responses to a microencapsulated blend of botanicals and organic acids under commercial conditions

Andrea Bonetti, Vetagro S.p.A

Protein degradation kinetics as a nutritional strategy to support lactation performance and sow resilience.

Pieter Langendijk, Trouw Nutrition

Milk Production in High-Prolific Sows Is Highly Responsive to Nutrient Supply Under Heat Stress Conditions

Cristiam Munoz Alfonso, Adisseo

Setting sows and piglets up for success: the role of management in loose lactation systems

Ashley Norval, DanBred

Pre‑Weaning Supplementary Milk Enhances Post‑Weaning Feeding Behaviour and Growth Performance in Piglets

Laia Blavi, AB Neo

Enhancing Maternal and Litter Performance with Lysophospholipids Supplementation: Evidence Across Independent Sow Studies

Caroline Donaldson, Pathway Intermediates Ltd

A multi-omics approach reveals how a Lactobacillus-derived postbiotic shapes colostrum composition and maternal gut microbiota and improves piglet performance

Barbara Polimeni, University of Bologna

Theme: Improving lactation and piglet life

Practical experiences with pre-weaning feeding strategies

Keynote speaker | Jes Callesen, Consultant and founder, Progris (read more)

Programme

Explore the programme

Day 1 (09:30 – 18:00)

Morning programme – 09.30-11.50

Arrival & Coffee

Welcome to the Conference

Opening speaker - TBA

Opening speak

The good sow life - present and future perspectives

Theme: Understanding Sow Mortality

Clinical aspects of sow mortality

Oral presentations

Regional differences in sow removal patterns across four major swine-producing regions

Understanding sow mortality through production records and field necropsies: when and why sows are lost

Lunch

Afternoon programme – 12.50-18.00

Theme: Improving the next generation of sows

It is all about the gilt - Age weight and backfat at first service affects longevity and lifetime performance

Improving sow longevity through claw health management.

Oral presentations

How fast should gilts grow? Effects of rearing growth rate on sow performance

Timing of trace mineral-amino acid complex program adoption reduces white line lesion occurrence across the reproductive lifespan of sows

Theme: Improving sow survival

The Sow Welfare Paradox: Welfare ‘wins’ and longevity losses

No teeth, no feet, no future? Dental and claw health in Swedish sows

Oral presentation

Risk factors behind poor sow stability and low gilt retention in Spanish commercial farms

Risk factors behind poor sow ’Blood biomarkers and sow survival – a Denmark and USA case study

Debate

Key Takeaways and thank you

Poster presentations

Day 2 (08:00 – 15:00)

Morning programme – 08.00-11.00

DanBred

Theme: Managing sow health around farrowing

Bridging biology and precision farming: Innovations in sow health management

Managing the farrowing process of sows in free farrowing systems

Oral presentation

Hydrolyzed yeast supplementation during late gestation and lactation improves piglet weaning performance

Feeding the Prolific Sow for Long Term Success: A Nutrient-Enriched Diet for the Late-Gestation Phase Improved Sow Outcomes at Farrowing, Success in the Next Reproductive Cycle, and Progeny Survival during Lactation

Lunch

Afternoon programme – 12.00-15.00

Theme: Improving lactation and piglet life

Feeding the first days of life: Transition feeding and colostrum production and their implications for piglet survival

Feeding for the Long Term: Optimizing Lactation Nutrition to Support Litter Performance and Sow Retention

5 minute flash-talks (order subject to change)

Effects of increasing the dietary level of potassium during transition and on sow blood parameters and colostrum and milk production

Supporting sow resilience during farrowing and lactation through nutrition: parity-dependent responses to a microencapsulated blend of botanicals and organic acids under commercial conditions

Protein degradation kinetics as a nutritional strategy to support lactation performance and sow resilience.

Milk Production in High-Prolific Sows Is Highly Responsive to Nutrient Supply Under Heat Stress Conditions

Setting sows and piglets up for success: the role of management in loose lactation systems

Pre‑Weaning Supplementary Milk Enhances Post‑Weaning Feeding Behaviour and Growth Performance in Piglets

Enhancing Maternal and Litter Performance with Lysophospholipids Supplementation: Evidence Across Independent Sow Studies

A multi-omics approach reveals how a Lactobacillus-derived postbiotic shapes colostrum composition and maternal gut microbiota and improves piglet performance

Theme: Improving lactation and piglet life

Practical experiences with pre-weaning feeding strategies

Wrap-up and thank you

Join Pig Research Summit 2027!

Discover new research, international perspectives and the latest insights into sow longevity.