In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Karolína Steinerová explores how promoting play behavior in pigs supports welfare, resilience, and growth performance. She discusses her PhD research findings, the practical application of enrichment materials, and the role of positive emotional states in disease resistance. Learn how welfare can drive productivity in swine herds. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Enhancing animal welfare is not only about reducing negative experiences but about providing animals with positive ones like play."

Meet the guest: Dr. Karolína Steinerová holds a BSc in Animal Protection and Welfare, an MSc in Animal Science from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, and a PhD in Swine Behaviour and Welfare from the University of Saskatchewan. She currently manages Producer Services at Sask Pork, leading on-farm animal welfare programs and education.

Click here to read the full research articles:

Rearing pigs with play opportunities: the effects on disease resilience in pigs experimentally inoculated with PRRSV

The promotion of play behaviour in grow-finish pigs: The relationship between behaviours indicating positive experience and physiological measures

Exploring the effect of play on heart rate variability as a measure of positive emotional states in pigs

Regular play opportunities during the grow-finish phase improve pig trainability and learning in a cognitive bias test

Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!

What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:13) Introduction
• (03:09) Career in animal behavior
• (10:41) Emotional health indicators
• (13:44) Welfare and immune response
• (17:18) Practical enrichment tools
• (25:47) Knowledge transfer strategies
• (34:03) Final three questions

The Swine it Podcast Show Canada is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

* Swine Veterinary Partners

- dsm-firmenich

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