Nutrition: What do dental and oral conditions at weaning tell us about future growth?

Research suggests that it could be beneficial to be able to select for earlier eruption of teeth as a way to improve feeding behaviour

by JANICE MURPHY

Although past studies have suggested that market pigs and breeding sows can suffer from serious oral and dental problems, this whole area continues to be overlooked in the field of swine research. Evidence suggests that there are significantly higher culling rates for sows, regardless of parity, which have damaged or worn teeth. This is most likely attributable to the discomfort associated with these conditions.

Better Pork - June 2010