Swine Sector Research Articles

Environmental Impact of the Hungarian Swine Sector during the PRRS Eradication Program with Full Herd Replacement (2014-2022).

The Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) eradication program in Hungary, implemented between 2014 and 2022, utilized complete herd replacement and the introduction of high-performance breeds to enhance production efficiency and environmental sustainability in the swine sector. As a result, the sow population was reduced by 26.2% while maintaining nearly the same number of slaughter pigs. This led to significant reductions in ammonia emissions (-145,857 kg), slurry production (-153,879 m3), nitrogen emissions (-1,409,951 kg), and overall greenhouse gas emissions (91,768,362 kg CO2eq). Additionally, the feed and water consumption were substantially decreased by 53,237,805 kg and 292,978,094 L, respectively, further lowering the sector's environmental footprint. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of customized eradication strategies and advanced breeding practices in reducing the environmental impact of animal husbandry. These findings underscore the necessity for ongoing collaboration among scientists, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to develop and implement sustainable livestock production methods. The Hungarian experience provides valuable insights into how targeted interventions can simultaneously improve production outcomes and reduce the environmental burden in the swine industry.

Identification of Antimicrobial-Resistant Zoonotic Bacteria in Swine Production: Implications from the One Health Perspective.

Antimicrobial resistance poses a major threat to global health and food security and is primarily driven by antimicrobial use in human and veterinary medicine. Understanding its epidemiology at farm level is crucial for effective control measures. Despite the significant reduction in antibiotic use in conventional livestock production, the swine sector traditionally has a higher level of antibiotic use in veterinary medicine. Consequently, multidrug resistance (MDR) among microbial isolates of swine origin has been relatively frequent. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, enteric pathogens and resistance genes to the main antibiotics used in clinical practice, both within the environment and in animals across pig farms characterized by varying degrees of sanitary status. A total of 274 samples were collected. Of these, 34 samples were collected from the environment (wall swabs, slat swabs and slurry pit), and 240 samples were collected from animals (sows' and piglets' rectal faeces). All samples were analysed for MDR bacteria and enteric pathogens. The study revealed a high frequency of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales and Campylobacter spp., with ESBL-producing Enterobacterales predominating in high health status farms (environment and animals) and Campylobacter spp. in both high health status and low health status environments. Additionally, a high percentage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was found, mainly in environmental samples from high health status farms, and Clostridioides difficile was distributed ubiquitously among farms and samples. Furthermore, though less frequently, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) was isolated only in high health status farms, and Gram-negative bacilli resistant to carbapenems were isolated only in environmental samples of high health status and low health status farms. This study underscores the importance of surveillance for MDR bacteria in farm animals and their environment, including their waste. Such ecosystems serve as crucial reservoirs of bacteria, requiring national-level surveillance to promote responsible antibiotic use and pandemic control.

D for dominant: porcine circovirus 2d (PCV-2d) prevalence over other genotypes in wild boars and higher viral flows from domestic pigs in Italy.

Porcine circovirus 2 (PCV-2) is a key pathogen for the swine industry at a global level. Nine genotypes, differing in epidemiology and potentially virulence, emerged over time, with PCV-2a, -2b, and -2d being the most widespread and clinically relevant. Conversely, the distribution of minor genotypes appears geographically and temporally restricted, suggesting lower virulence and different epidemiological drivers. In 2022, PCV-2e, the most genetically and phenotypically divergent genotype, was identified in multiple rural farms in North-eastern Italy. Since rural pigs often have access to outdoor environment, the introduction from wild boars was investigated. Through a molecular and spatial approach, this study investigated the epidemiology and genetic diversity of PCV-2 in 122 wild boars across different provinces of North-eastern Italy. Molecular analysis revealed a high PCV-2 frequency (81.1%, 99/122), and classified the majority of strains as PCV-2d (96.3%, 78/81), with sporadic occurrences of PCV-2a (1.2%, 1/81) and PCV-2b (2.5%, 2/81) genotypes. A viral flow directed primarily from domestic pigs to wild boars was estimated by phylogenetic and phylodynamic analyses. These findings attested that the genotype replacement so far described only in the Italian domestic swine sector occurred also in wild boars. and suggested that the current heterogeneity of PCV-2d strains in Italian wild boars likely depends more on different introduction events from the domestic population rather than the presence of independent evolutionary pressures. While this might suggest PCV-2 circulation in wild boars having a marginal impact in the industrial sector, the sharing of PCV-2d strains across distinct wild populations, in absence of a consistent geographical pattern, suggests a complex interplay between domestic and wild pig populations, emphasizing the importance of improved biosecurity measures to mitigate the risk of pathogen transmission.

Deletion of MGF505-2R Gene Activates the cGAS-STING Pathway Leading to Attenuation and Protection against Virulent African Swine Fever Virus.

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is the etiological agent causing African swine fever (ASF), affecting domestic pigs and wild boar, which is currently the biggest animal epidemic in the world and a major threat to the swine sector. At present, some safety concerns about using LAVs against ASFV still exist despite a commercial vaccine licensed in Vietnam. Therefore, the efforts to identify virulence factors and their mechanisms, as well as to generate new vaccine prototypes, are of major interest. In this work, we have identified the MGF505-2R gene product as an inhibitor of the cGAS/STING pathway, specifically through its interaction with STING protein, controlling IFN-β production. In addition, immunization of a recombinant virus lacking this gene, Arm/07-ΔMGF505-2R, resulted in complete attenuation, demonstrating its involvement in ASFV virulence. Finally, immunization with Arm/07-ΔMGF505-2R induced the generation of antibodies and proved to be partially protective against virulent ASFV strains. These results identify MGF505-2R, as well as its mechanism of action, as a gene contributing to understanding the molecular mechanisms of ASFV virulence, which will be of great value in the design of future vaccine prototypes.

Unveiling Antibiotic Resistance, Clonal Diversity, and Biofilm Formation in E. coli Isolated from Healthy Swine in Portugal.

Escherichia coli, a commensal microorganism found in the gastrointestinal tract of human and animal hosts, plays a central role in agriculture and public health. Global demand for animal products has promoted increased pig farming, leading to growing concerns about the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant E. coli strains in swine populations. It should be noted that a significant portion of antibiotics deployed in swine management belong to the critically important antibiotics (CIA) class, which should be reserved for human therapeutic applications. This study aimed to characterize the prevalence of antibiotic resistance, genetic diversity, virulence characteristics, and biofilm formation of E. coli strains in healthy pigs from various farms across central Portugal. Our study revealed high levels of antibiotic resistance, with resistance to tetracycline, ampicillin, tobramycin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Multidrug resistance is widespread, with some strains resistant to seven different antibiotics. The ampC gene, responsible for broad-spectrum resistance to cephalosporins and ampicillin, was widespread, as were genes associated with resistance to sulfonamide and beta-lactam antibiotics. The presence of high-risk clones, such as ST10, ST101, and ST48, are a concern due to their increased virulence and multidrug resistance profiles. Regarding biofilm formation, it was observed that biofilm-forming capacity varied significantly across different compartments within pig farming environments. In conclusion, our study highlights the urgent need for surveillance and implementation of antibiotic management measures in the swine sector. These measures are essential to protect public health, ensure animal welfare, and support the swine industry in the face of the growing global demand for animal products.

One Health communication channels: a qualitative case study of swine influenza in Canada in 2020

BackgroundWith increased attention to the importance of integrating the One Health approach into zoonotic disease surveillance and response, a greater understanding of the mechanisms to support effective communication and information sharing across animal and human health sectors is needed. The objectives of this qualitative case study were to describe the communication channels used between human and animal health stakeholders and to identify the elements that have enabled the integration of the One Health approach.MethodsWe combined documentary research with interviews with fifteen stakeholders to map the communication channels used in human and swine influenza surveillance in Alberta, Canada, as well as in the response to a human case of H1N2v in 2020. A thematic analysis of the interviews was also used to identify the barriers and facilitators to communication among stakeholders from the animal and human health sectors.ResultsWhen a human case of swine influenza emerged, the response led by the provincial Chief Medical Officer of Health involved players at various levels of government and in the human and animal health sectors. The collaboration of public and animal health laboratories and of the swine sector, in addition to the information available through the surveillance systems in place, was swift and effective. Elements identified as enabling smooth communication between the human and animal health systems included preexisting relationships between the various stakeholders, a relationship of trust between them (e.g., the swine sector and their perception of government structures), the presence of stakeholders acting as permanent liaisons between the ministries of health and agriculture, and stakeholders' understanding of the importance of the One Health approach.ConclusionsInformation flows through formal and informal channels and both structural and relational features that can support rapid and effective communication in infectious disease surveillance and outbreak response.

Smart Pig Farming—A Journey Ahead of Vietnam

Vietnam heavily relies on pork as its primary source of animal protein. Traditional farming methods, characterized by small-scale operations, dominate the industry. However, challenges such as rising feed costs, disease outbreaks, and market volatility are prompting many farmers to abandon their businesses. Recognizing the pivotal role of the swine sector in both economic development and nutrition, authorities must intervene to prevent its collapse. In developed nations, smart pig farming, utilizing technologies like sensors and cameras for data collection and real-time decision-making, has significantly improved health and productivity. These technologies can detect subtle indicators of animal well-being, enabling prompt intervention. This review aims to analyze the drivers of Vietnam’s swine farming, identify existing production system flaws, and explore innovative precision farming methods worldwide. Embracing precision farming promises to enhance Vietnam’s competitiveness in export markets and bolster consumer confidence. However, reliance solely on expensive foreign technologies may benefit large-scale farms, leaving smaller ones behind. Therefore, fostering local innovation and validating cost-effective solutions will be crucial for the sustainable growth of small- and medium-scale pig farming in Vietnam.

Body weight prediction in crossbred pigs from digital images using computer vision

The development of technologies made it possible to capture digital images by sensors in order to obtain morphometric measurements that can be used in the development of mathematical models for the prediction of body weight (BW) in animals. The objective was to develop mathematical models to predict body weight in crossbred pigs from morphometric measurements obtained with two-dimensional digital images. Data collection was carried out in the swine sector of IF Goiano, Urutai campus, in 52 crossbred pigs housed in the finishing phase. The animals were randomly weighed and filmed by the Microsoft Kinect® v1 sensor camera in the dorsal view. Subsequently, they were conducted for the measurement of manual morphometric measurements, without restraint, being dorsal length, chest width and flank width. The morphometric measurements predicted from the dorsal images were dorsal length, chest width, flank width, dorsal area and perimeter. Through Mask R-CNN algorithm trains the network by input images, was compute the area of the evaluated object in pixels, and thus, can correlate with measures of interest. The Mask R-CNN algorithm were performed with the Collaboratory Google using Phyton 3.0. Mathematical models were developed using multiple linear regression (MLR) and support vector regression (SVR) methodologies for body weight prediction. All Pearson's correlations between real body weight and real and predicted morphometric measurements by digital images were moderate to high magnitude positive and statistically significant (P<0.05). The difference between the real and predicted BW by the SVR was -1.74 kg (R² = 91%) and -2.39 kg (R² = 88%), respectively. The MLR model with real morphometrics measurements explained 60% of BW variance and estimated a BW 18.76 kg below from the real BW mean. The MLR model with predicted measurements explained 53% of BW variance and estimated a BW 22.51 kg below from the real BW mean. The mathematical model developed from SVR has the potential to estimate the body weight of crossbred pigs using morphometric measurements predicted by digital images such as dorsal length, width, dorsal area and perimeter.

First detection and molecular characterization of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in Namibia, Africa.

The swine sector in Africa plays an important role in local economies, contributing to poverty alleviation and community subsistence. In addition, intensive farming is progressively becoming more important in the region. Therefore, any disease affecting swine populations can have detrimental effects on local communities. Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) is among the most important infectious diseases affecting swine worldwide, but information on its epidemiology in Africa is extremely limited. In the present study, 147 healthy butchered pigs, originating from 15 Namibian intensive and rural farms were tested by RT-PCR and the ORF7 genes of positive samples were sequenced for further genetic characterization and phylogenetic analysis. Additionally, 55 warthogs were also evaluated using the same approach. Overall, 7 out of 147 pigs (4.76%) tested positive, all originating from 3 rural farms (with a within-herd detection frequency higher than 14%) characterized by strong epidemiological links. All industrial pig and warthog samples were negative. Sequence analysis revealed that all strains belonged to the Betaarterivirus suid1 species, previously known as PRRSV type I, and were likely imported from Europe at least 6 years ago, evolving independently thereafter. When and how the first introduction occurred could not be determined due to the absence of other African sequences for comparison. The present work provides the first detection and characterization of PRRSV molecular epidemiology in Namibia. Based on the present findings, the presence of the PPRSV appears marginal and limited to backyard farms. While biosecurity measures applied in industrial farms appear to be effective in preventing viral introduction, PRRSV circulation in rural settings still represents a potential threat, and considering the socio-economical implication of livestock diseases decreasing animal performances in rural areas, active monitoring should be encouraged to promptly act against emerging menaces and guarantee the welfare of local pig populations.

Characterization of the technical aspects of the agricultural production system in the swine sector in the production farm of Vereda Caldas

The article exposes how the methods of pig production are established in a producing family of the Vereda Caldas, identifying the management that occurs within this productive sector, thus showing the factors of nutrition and care of the pigs for the optimization in production in search of improving economic, conservation and health aspects where quality standards are established, where the family aims to seek sustainability of the productive sector by establishing and appropriating agroecological production methods

Understanding if the reward is worth the influenza risk: The true cost of showing pigs

Influenza A virus transmission between pigs and humans has been reported periodically worldwide, and spillover events across the animal-human species barrier could lead to the next influenza pandemic. Swine exhibitions serve as a unique interface conducive to zoonotic disease transmission due to extensive commingling of pigs and humans for prolonged periods of time. The majority of zoonotic influenza A virus transmission in the United States has been linked to swine exhibitions, leading some to suggest additional controls for influenza A virus at the swine-human interface. Determining the value of the exhibition swine industry and gauging the financial impacts influenza A virus outbreaks could have on society, helps to inform adoption decisions of mitigation recommendations. This study estimates the total value of the exhibition swine industry in the United States and calculates the predicted costs of the most extreme mitigation strategy, cancelling swine exhibitions to reduce zoonotic influenza A virus transmission. Mixed methods, including a survey, were used to collect data and inform the study model. We estimated that the direct economic impact of the exhibition swine sector in 2018 was $1.2 billion. If pig shows were to be cancelled for one year, the estimated direct economic impact would be $357.1 million. A permanent, > 3-year ban on swine exhibitions would result in a $665 million economic impact, which is a 45% reduction from baseline. The direct economic impact of cancelling the swine show circuit could not be determined, as youth exhibitors may pursue alternative activities that cannot be precisely accounted for. However, the estimated loss to the swine industry justifies seeking enhanced mitigation to prevent disease transmission. Moreover, economic losses secondary to exhibition cancellations may explain hesitancy to participate in active influenza A virus surveillance efforts.

The Impact of PRRS Eradication Program on the Production Parameters of the Hungarian Swine Sector.

The Hungarian national eradication program of PRRS was successfully completed between 2014 and 2022. There were doubts about the efficiency of the eradication program in Hungary from the beginning to the tune that it might only be carried out efficiently through depopulation-repopulation of the infected herds, which is a very costly procedure. In our study, we investigated the impact of the depopulation-repopulation procedure, which played a prominent role in the PRRS eradication program on the productivity of the Hungarian swine sector-namely, on the number of slaughter pigs per sow per year and the total live slaughter weight per sow per year. Since 2014, we monitored the evolution of the PRRS eradication through the depopulation-repopulation approach on the large-scale breeding herds in Hungary. Most producers replaced their herds with animals that were free of PRRS and other infectious diseases (mycoplasmosis, actinobacillosis, swine dysentery, atrophic rhinitis, etc.). On this basis, we evaluated the change in the number of slaughter pigs per sow per year as a consequence of depopulation-repopulation of the herds being carried out. In the statistical analysis linear regression was used. The results of our study demonstrate that the PRRS eradication program with the herd depopulation-repopulation approach led to a considerable improvement of the productivity of Hungarian pig farming. This result also demonstrates that, independent of the PRRS eradication, it is still necessary to consider investments into the individual production units to increase efficiency, and to carry out herd depopulation-repopulation in cases where the current genetics limits improvements in productivity.

Public, private, and public-private partnerships to implement One Health as an action to address antimicrobial resistance in ColombiaParcerias públicas, privadas e público-privadas para a implementação da Saúde Única como uma ação contra a resistência a antimicrobianos na Colômbia

This article describes the importance of public-private partnerships (PPPs) and public-private coordination to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through the One Health approach. These partnerships are developed between governmental actors, private companies, and social organizations to build agendas, decision-making, and the management of projects of common interest. A case study from Colombia is presented. It describes examples of response from the public sector when the World Health Organization (WHO) reported a colistin resistance alert in 2016; from the animal protein production sector under an industry partnership for the rational use of antimicrobials; and, finally, from a public-private partnership in the swine sector, with governmental institutions and international cooperation, to take action to mitigate the risk of AMR. In Colombia, the establishment of partnerships with organizations representing agricultural producers has generated impactful actions such as strengthening ongoing communication channels between the public and private sectors; characterizing the conditions of the agricultural production chain; establishing mechanisms for consultation and validation of health policies related to AMR; obtaining a baseline of indicator pathogens and identification of possible flows of AMR spread; and, finally, achieving knowledge transfer and capacity-building with national and international experts, with actions to raise awareness about the problem of AMR and its impact on public health. The strategic model developed in Colombia through public-private collaboration can inspire other low- and middle-income countries to optimize their use of resources to obtain results that contribute to the national AMR mitigation plan.

Selection of dam breeds under stable and declined conditions

Reproductive selection index of two dam pig breeds was established five years ago to enhance the reproductive ability of sows. Since then, positive genetic progress in the population and some economic disorders (e.g. the input and output prices disproportion) appeared in the swine sector. The study aimed to revise index according to the current circumstances and further ensure the desired gain. In three index variants, the current, optimal, and adjusted trait proportion was assessed. Economic weights (EWs) of the breeding objective traits were applied in two alternatives to evaluate the index for future stable and deteriorated conditions. Under the current index construction and stable EWs, the favourable selection gain in piglets born alive (NBA) and slight extension of farrowing interval (FI) is indicated. The optimal index construction would result in a favourable gain of both traits in one breed. The adjusted index maintained the increasing litter size equal to the current index and achieved favourable gain in FI in both breeds. The same was true for deteriorated economic conditions except for the optimised index variant, where expected higher genetic progress in one breed. Nevertheless, this genetic gain was insufficient to compensate the declined EW of traits, and the overall financial benefit was almost half of those in stable conditions. For both alternatives of evaluated economic conditions, the current index should be revised in terms of a slightly higher proportion of FI to reach favourable genetic gain in both breeding goals.

Assessing the Potential for Rainwater Harvesting Use in a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation Region in the South of Brazil

Sustainability in intensive animal production is directly linked to water management. The increasing pressure on water resources and the occurrence of increasingly frequent and severe droughts makes it harder to meet the demand for animal husbandry in rural properties and highlights the importance of rational water use and the search for alternative sources of water supply. In the midwest region of Santa Catarina state, south of Brazil, the use of cisterns to store rainwater collected from the roofs of houses that confine animals is an alternative already widely used and encouraged to minimize water scarcity. Studies that deal with the potential for rainwater use in livestock production are still scarce; however, available information provides a concrete basis for further technical and economic feasibility studies. The present study aimed to evaluate, based on local precipitation and available harvesting areas, the potential of the use of rainwater to supply the water demand (r, %) and the water-saving potential (R, m3/year) in swine and poultry Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) in Jacutinga river basin and contiguous sub-basin municipalities, a region with great national importance in this activity. As a result, potential r values of 100% to supply water demand in the poultry sector and between 32.7% and 68.3% in the different production stages of the swine sector were obtained. The potential R value in the study area represented 5.2 million m3 per year. Such results reveal the high potential of rainwater harvesting systems not only for minimizing impacts of drought periods but also as an abundant source of water for supplying the husbandry water demand of rural farms, ensuring water security, and serving as a tool for managing local water resources.

Spatial evaluation of animal health care accessibility and veterinary shortage in France

The decrease in the supply of veterinary healthcare in France adversely affects health of food-producing animals. In a One Health perspective, the health of people, animals and their shared environment are interconnected, and adequate supply of veterinary healthcare is required to ensure public health. Prevention of outbreaks and zoonotic diseases that may impact public health mobilizes a set of public policies, including strengthening veterinary workforce. These policies should be informed by quantification of animal health care accessibility, yet this has not been well characterized. The objective was to quantify the accessibility to veterinary healthcare for cattle, swine, and poultry sectors in France. A Two-Step Floating Catchment Area (2SFCA) approach was used to measure the level of accessibility to veterinary clinics. In the cattle sector, the 2SFCA score indicated relatively high accessibility in the north and south of France, but insufficient accessibility elsewhere. In the swine sector, there was high accessibility in the north east and in north of France, medium accessibility in the south west, and insufficient accessibility elsewhere. Finally, in the poultry sector, all regions had insufficient accessibility. Sensitivity analysis examining the effects of a change in spatial accessibility according to various travel time showed that the optimal threshold to compute 2SFCA score in cattle, swine and poultry sectors were respectively, 45, 60 and 60 min. According to a definition of “underserved area” derived from an official decree and the optimal thresholds to compute 2SFCA, the cattle, swine and poultry sector have on average 75.3, 89.9 and 98.3% underserved area, respectively. We provided evidence that the supply of animal health care was not sufficient and we proposed recommendations on how to assess animal health care accessibility, enabling modelling and visualization of the effects of potential public policies aimed at reducing veterinary shortages.

Swine Husbandry Practices in Ethiopia: A Review

In Ethiopia, swine are mainly raised under small scale production systems of urban and peri-urban areas. The swine sector has got very little attention compared to other livestock components. This happened mainly due to religious and social reasons. Swine breeds in Ethiopia consist of exotic breeds and their crosses. The indigenous pig is an animal which has been very neglected and wild. Although smallholder swine farmers make a contribution to the livestock sector, they are discouraged and constrained by issues relevant to culture and religion, in addition to feed shortage, disease, inaccessible market, lack of clear pig and pork marketing system, lack of transport, poor extension and veterinary services, lack of market and shortage of land as the major constraints of swine production and marketing in Ethiopia. This paper highlights the Ethiopian swine industry, the role played by the smallholder swine farmers, the constraints and recommendations to the policy makers and stakeholders on the way of promoting smallholder swine farmers. Keywords: constraints, government, swine production DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/12-1-03 Publication date: January 31 st 2022

Multidrug-Resistant Campylobacer jejuni on Swine Processing at a Slaughterhouse in Eastern Spain.

Simple SummaryThis study was designed to assess the epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter jejuni in swine processing at a slaughterhouse in the Valencia Region (Eastern Spain). The results showed that all batches arrived at the slaughterhouse shedding Campylobacter in faeces, and remained positive during processing, even just before delivery to the consumer. In addition, 96.3% of C. jejuni isolates, the main species involved in human infection from food origin, were multidrug-resistant strains.Campylobacteriosis is the most commonly reported gastrointestinal disease in humans in the EU, mainly from poultry meat consumption. C. jejuni is the main species involved in the human disease. However, little is known about the role of swine meat in its epidemiology. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance of C. jejuni on swine processing at the slaughterhouse. To this end, a total of 21 pig herds were intensively sampled at the slaughterhouse. Campylobacter isolation was based on official method ISO 10272-1:2018, speciation was determined by the hippurate hydrolysis test, and antibiotic susceptibility was performed according to standard disc diffusion assay. The results showed that all batches shed Campylobacter in faeces upon arrival at the slaughterhouse and remained positive at the end of the slaughtering process (42.8%). Moreover, 41.5% of Campylobacter strains isolated were C. jejuni and all of them were resistant to at least one antibiotic, and 96.3% were multidrug-resistant strains. In conclusion, the high level of multidrug-resistant C. jejuni swine batch contamination at the slaughterhouse makes it necessary to include the swine sector in national control programmes to reduce the bacterium and its resistance.

GIS-Based and Outranking Approach to Assess Suitable Pig Farming Areas in the Mediterranean Region: Valencian Community.

Simple SummaryThe livestock sector is the main source of income for the inhabitants of many rural areas, but the environmental problems generated by this industry have led to the emergence of new regulations to make the sector more environmentally friendly. The aim was to identify suitable areas where the livestock sector could be developed, complying with all sectoral standards, and classify the outranking suitable municipalities according to socio-economic, sectoral, and environmental factors. Socio-economic, to make it a key sector for the development of rural areas with depopulation problems; sectoral, to avoid generating health risk; and environmental, to avoid risks of water pollution and degradation of natural and forest areas. The results showed that there was a clear correspondence between the most suitable areas for pig farming and areas with depopulation problems or where rural tourism had not been developed. This information allows the design of public management instruments to prioritise the development of the sector in these areas.The concentration of livestock production is problematic due to environmental concerns. European regulations are guiding the sector to become increasingly sustainable and, at the same time, maintaining the population in rural areas. The aim was to determine suitable areas in municipalities where livestock is presented as a market option. The methodology applied was based on the combination of multi-criteria methods and geographic information system (GIS) techniques, following three steps: removal of unsuitable zones by sectoral regulations (STEP 1); removal of unsuitable zones due to urban planning, and environmental recommendations (STEP 2); and evaluating the resulting areas depending on the importance of socio-economic, sectoral, and environmental characteristics. This study was based in a Spanish region with ongoing conflicts over land use on the coast but with a high number of rural municipalities at risk of depopulation in the interior. The results showed that 33% of the municipalities of the Valencian Community (VC) had suitable and outranking areas for the development of the swine sector. The 43 municipalities with the highest scores were because of the socio-economic factor and confirmed that suitable livestock development in municipalities with the highest risk of depopulation and low rural tourism activity was a key issue for development.

Relationship between efficiency and profitability: The case of Czech swine sector

Aim of study: To examine the link between economic efficiency and profitability of firms belonging to the swine sector.Area of study: This study is devoted to the Czech swine sector that forms the traditional and essential part of agriculture in the Czech Republic.Material and methods: Data from the Albertina CZ Gold Edition database for the period 2008-2017 were used. To evaluate the economic efficiency, the data envelopment analysis models are applied. Return on equity, return on assets and return on sales are used to measure profitability. To assess the relationship between economic efficiency and profitability, the Pearson correlation coefficient is used.Main results: The results demonstrate that there is no clear link between the economic efficiency of firms and their profitability in this industry. The correlation between all three profitability ratios and efficiency score were predominantly positive but not statistically significant in many cases. The economies of scale and scope and the construction of profitability indicators could be the main factors explaining the fact that companies achieving higher efficiency are not also more profitable.Research highlights: The study provides material useful to owners, managers, and customers of Czech agriculture firms. It identifies the relatively high efficiency of firms measured relatively to the best Czech company. In the European context, however, the efficiency of Czech firms belonging to the swine sector is low. It also reveals that the profitability of the firms is not a representative proxy for economic efficiency.