Litter size isn’t only about the sow

New PIC analysis shows the AI boar (“service sire”) can have a small but measurable impact on piglets born alive—an effect that becomes usable with big, well-corrected datasets. Using ~80,000 litters, ~40,000 sows and ~1,600 boars (2020–2024), PIC found up to ~2% differences in liveborn piglets linked to sire lines—small, but valuable when applied systematically in breeding.

Read more here:

Meat quality is won (or lost) after the farm gate

PIC meat scientist Neal Matthews explains how the PIC Pork Quality Compass helps slaughterhouses measure key drivers like cooling rate, pH, colour and texture—and benchmark results anonymously. Since 2021, 57 slaughterhouses have used Compass to spot issues, reduce stress impacts, and lift consistency across markets.

Read more here:

“Dr. Machado’s research found that antibiotic use for piglets increased by more than 3.5 times during the first 15 weeks after a PRRS outbreak on a farm. For older pigs, the use of antibiotics increased by more than 2.5 times. “

Read the full interview to dig deeper into the research and what it means for the industry and consumers.

Stronger pigs, fewer post-weaning losses

New research confirms that genetic resistance to E. coli F18 can protect piglets against today’s highly virulent strains. In a controlled challenge, susceptible pigs showed more severe diarrhoea and higher mortality, while resistant pigs showed no mortality and no intestinal colonisation—highlighting genetics as a practical tool as reliance on antibiotics and zinc oxide declines.


Read the full study here:

Gene editing meets the pasture:
Cattle with a slick coat, enhanced through a small gene edit and approved by the FDA, are better equipped to handle heat stress.

By helping cattle stay cooler in hot climates, this innovation supports animal well-being and productivity—a major step forward for more sustainable livestock production as global temperatures rise.

This is another real-world application of how gene editing is delivering practical, everyday benefits for farmers, animals, and the future of food. Follow along in our series on gene editing in action.

#geneeditinginaction #geneediting #Sustainability #FutureOfFarming #AnimalHealth

Practical innovation, built into your herd

From AI-assisted sow scoring to PRRS resistance R&D, PIC genetics bring high-tech solutions without the complexity. It’s innovation you can use — today.

Explore how PIC genetics future-proof your farm →

Feed less, produce more

A 5% FCR improvement saves up to 18 kg of feed per pig — lowering both cost and emissions. Camborough is now 5% better than EU benchmarks, delivering efficient growth at every stage.

See how PIC boosts feed performance →https://gb.pic.com/newsletter-picmatters/

#PICUK #FeedEfficiency #CostControl #PigGenetics #SustainableFarming

“Gene editing offers incredible promise, but success depends on connecting with consumers and delivering benefits that align with their values,” said Charlie Arnot, CEO of The Center for Food Integrity. “Consumers are much more open to gene-edited products when the benefits are clear, personal and values-based.” 


See a summary of the research here and find more information at PRRSResistantPig.com. 


#geneediting #PRRSResistantPig #PRRS #AgInnovation

🧬 One more parity = more pigs, less cost

Adding just one parity can save up to €50 per pig and reduce emissions per kg of pork. Camborough sows average over 5 parities in top UK herds, with mortality under 8.5%.

Learn how PIC delivers long-term value → https://gb.pic.com/products/camborough/

More pigs, less impact — it starts with genetics

Camborough and X54 sows now deliver +3.5 piglets/sow/decade and lower feed use — cutting farm emissions by 12% per pig since 2016. That’s sustainability you can measure.

Discover how PIC helps you grow greener profits → https://gb.pic.com/products/camborough/

#PICUK #PigGenetics #Sustainability #FarmEfficiency #GreenerFarming