Nutrition and genetics are widely discussed, but air quality much less so. Based on your experience, how important are parameters such as ammonia, fine dust and CO\u2082 in the daily life of animals?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIt is now well known that certain environmental parameters in livestock housing are closely linked to animals\u2019 predisposition to develop specific diseases. A classic example is incorrect temperature management: major thermal fluctuations can favor neurological manifestations associated with Streptococcus suis<\/em>. In recent years, however, attention has expanded to include other environmental factors such as air quality. Parameters such as ammonia, fine dust and carbon dioxide are not just numbers\u2014 they are true indicators of the air pigs breathe. While an operator may spend only a few hours inside the barn each day, pigs remain there 24\/7. This means that altered values can have a direct and continuous impact on their health. Such conditions can weaken immune responses and increase sensitivity to pathogens which, under optimal environmental conditions, would not represent a real problem or would otherwise be easily manageable.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCan you describe a case where an \u201cinvisible\u201d issue significantly affected health or productivity?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe most evident example is precisely the one mentioned earlier. When an operator enters a weaning unit, they perceive temperature and air quality at that specific moment, but they cannot know what happens during the remaining hours\u2014such as at night. Yet thermal fluctuations between day and night can be substantial, especially during certain times of the year. It is not uncommon to observe problems associated with Streptococcus suis<\/em> in weaning units where environmental conditions are not kept consistent over 24 hours. Temperature swings remain one of the clearest examples of this type of issue. Added to this are other \u201cinvisible\u201d but significant factors such as ammonia and fine dust. Although pigs are generally resilient animals, continuous exposure to high ammonia levels irritates respiratory mucous membranes, reducing local defenses and making animals more susceptible to pathogens. Under these conditions, even microorganisms commonly present in farms, such as Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae<\/em>, can cause more severe or harder-to-manage diseases.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSummers are becoming increasingly long and hot. As an expert in the field, what do you observe most in animals experiencing heat stress? And which solutions have proven most effective in practice?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIt is true that summers are becoming longer and hotter, but at the same time today\u2019s pigs are more delicate and sensitive to heat stress. Sows, in particular, are the most vulnerable category, especially in climates like ours\u2014now almost subtropical\u2014where summer temperatures exceed the European average. This is because the sow undergoes physiologically demanding phases\u2014pregnancy, farrowing and lactation\u2014that require high energy expenditure. When ambient heat is added to this, the animal struggles to maintain thermal balance, and increased summer mortality is not uncommon. Growing pigs also suffer from heat stress, though generally to a lesser degree. As for effective solutions, several cooling strategies can make a real difference: enhanced mechanical ventilation, cooling systems, and water misting, all of which help reduce environmental temperature and improve animals\u2019 thermal comfort. The key is never to underestimate the issue, because poorly managed heat stress affects both welfare and productivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today it is possible to monitor almost everything in real time. From a clinical perspective, how does having continuous data on microclimate and animal welfare differ from traditional observation?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe difference is enormous. Real-time monitoring of air quality and microclimate parameters makes it possible to intervene before negative consequences appear\u2014such as a drop in productivity, worsening welfare or, in severe cases, increased mortality. Continuous monitoring allows problems to be anticipated rather than chased. It marks an important paradigm shift: from reactive management based on observing symptoms to preventive management based on objective data that immediately signal deviations from optimal conditions. This approach is essential not only from a clinical and zootechnical perspective, but also from an economic and managerial one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With the growing focus on artificial intelligence and predictive systems, do you see these tools as support for veterinarians, or do they risk replacing some of their skills?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIt is impossible for the role of the veterinarian to be fully replaced by artificial intelligence systems. Natural intelligence remains irreplaceable, because only human experience allows for the perception\u2014through all senses\u2014of what is truly happening inside a farm. Personally, I do not feel \u201cthreatened\u201d by AI; on the contrary, I see it as an opportunity. Today, veterinarians\u2014and more broadly all professionals working in animal production\u2014can acquire new skills by learning to manage and interpret predictive systems so that they become true decision-support tools. This ability to read and contextualize data represents a genuine professional upgrade: AI does not replace the veterinarian but enhances their role, making it even more central in modern farm management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In France, consumers find an A-to-E rating on the label indicating animal welfare levels (the much-discussed Nutri-Score). How do you view this form of communication? Would it help or hinder those working in Italian farms?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nRather than asking whether a system like the Nutri-Score is helpful or harmful, the real question is whether the consumer is truly willing to rethink livestock farming through such tools. Unfortunately, many consumers today hold a negative view of farming, often based on partial or distorted information. If a clear labeling system\u2014one that makes animal welfare standards and farming practices visible and understandable\u2014can help close this gap, then it is welcome. For those working in Italian farms, the challenge is not to fear the label, but to learn how to highlight what they are already doing well. The livestock sector must adapt to evolving consumer expectations and, above all, learn to communicate its professionalism to the public with transparency and pride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many farmers see sustainability as a cost. Can you share an example of when improved animal welfare resulted in a real economic benefit?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWithout delving into environmental sustainability in a broader sense, I would highlight the practical perspective of a veterinarian working in the field. When we face health issues\u2014often linked to environmental quality or welfare conditions\u2014production losses and increased mortality are inevitable. If we consider that the number of piglets weaned and brought to slaughter at nine months can decrease significantly due to losses along the production cycle, we immediately understand the economic impact. Each animal that dies represents not only a loss of final revenue, but also the waste of all resources invested\u2014feed, labor and energy. Healthier animals kept in optimal welfare conditions make the entire pig production chain more sustainable: they perform better, require less feed per kilo of gain and need fewer therapeutic interventions. Reduced antibiotic use is also a direct consequence of improved welfare and overall performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you project yourself into 2035, what do you think will be the biggest challenge for veterinarians and animal health: managing climate change, maintaining economic competitiveness or integrating technology?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nLooking ahead to 2035, I believe all three challenges\u2014climate change, economic competitiveness and technological integration\u2014will remain central to the pig sector. However, I would add a fourth equally crucial challenge: generational turnover. Today, the livestock sector, especially pig farming, struggles to attract younger generations\u2014whether veterinarians, technicians or stockpeople. Yet the sector offers enormous opportunities. For these opportunities to become concrete, farms must evolve into more modern, technological and healthier working environments. Research conducted at the University of Turin shows clearly that young people consider air quality inside farms a key factor in deciding whether to enter this field. This highlights that environmental quality is important not only for animals\u2019 welfare, but also for the health and motivation of the people who work there daily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe interview with Dr. Annalisa Scollo shows how the future of pig farming depends on attentive management, informed use of data, intelligent integration of technology and a renewed commitment to animal welfare. The challenges are significant, but so are the opportunities to improve health, productivity and sustainability across the entire system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Introduction In recent years, pig farming has undergone profound changes driven by genetic evolution, new technologies and the challenges posed by climate change. To better understand how these factors influence farm management and animal health, we interviewed Dr. Annalisa Scollo, veterinarian and lecturer at the Department of Veterinary Sciences at the University of Turin. Her […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9661,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[98,96,97],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9660","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-animal-welfare-en","category-farm-management-en","category-news-en-2"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cynomys.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9660","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cynomys.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cynomys.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cynomys.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cynomys.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9660"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.cynomys.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9660\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9663,"href":"https:\/\/www.cynomys.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9660\/revisions\/9663"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cynomys.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9661"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cynomys.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9660"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cynomys.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9660"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cynomys.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9660"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}