date:Oct 13, 2012
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The immunocrit measures serum antibodies in blood samples from newborn piglets, and the results indicate a newborn piglets mortality and nursing ability, according to physiologist Jeffrey Vallet of the USDAs Agricultural Research Service in Clay Center, Neb. The measurement also reflects a sows ability to produce colostrum.
Results are obtained quickly, and this allows producers to identify piglets that are at risk of mortality. Producers can intervene if a piglet has not eaten or had a ch