In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Kristina Horback, from UC Davis, breaks down the science behind sow personality and its impact on herd dynamics. From aggression levels to social ranking, individual behavioral traits can influence productivity, welfare, and overall barn management. Learn how identifying hyper-aggressive or stress-prone sows early can help improve group housing strategies and reduce disruptions. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Personality is a way to describe an animal’s behavior that is consistent over time and across different situations."

Meet the guest: Dr. Kristina Horback is an Associate Professor of Applied Ethology at UC Davis, with over 12 years of experience researching sow behavior and welfare. With a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology, she applies cognitive science to study swine communication, social interactions, and stress resilience. She has published 14 peer-reviewed articles in top animal behavior journals and has presented her research to industry and academic audiences worldwide.

What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:03) Introduction
• (03:44) Understanding sow personality
• (06:47) Impact on social hierarchy
• (11:27) Identifying aggressive behaviors
• (13:38) Measuring behavioral traits
• (15:51) Role of genetics in aggression
• (22:08) 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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