SWINE Getting Gilts Right: Building the Foundation for Lifetime Sow Performance
Successful sow production starts long before the first insemination. At EuroTier 2026, Ceva Animal Health will present a seminar focused on the importance of gilt development and management in building healthy, productive and long-lasting sow herds.
Entitled “Getting Gilts Right: Building the Foundation for Lifetime Sow Performance”, the session will be led by Eduardo Velazquez, DVM, Swine Veterinary Service Manager at Ceva Animal Health.
Why is gilt development so important?
Gilt development is a key driver of lifetime sow productivity. Preparing replacement gilts for their first insemination and ensuring their successful integration into the breeding herd can have a lasting impact on reproductive performance, longevity and overall herd stability.
A structured approach to gilt management also helps reduce health risks and supports more sustainable production.
What will the seminar cover?
Eduardo Velazquez will explore practical strategies to improve replacement gilt management, including:
- Preparing gilts for first insemination: the importance of age, weight, body condition and oestrus cycle management.
- Quarantine and acclimatization: establishing effective protocols to reduce health risks before gilts enter the breeding herd.
- Strategic vaccination: developing vaccination programmes tailored to the specific disease challenges of each farm and region.
- Understanding herd health status: assessing both the source herd and the receiving herd before introducing replacement animals.
- Optimizing replacement strategies: reducing pathogen introduction through careful planning and fewer animal introductions.
- Managing home-bred gilts: ensuring that animals raised on the farm also receive structured development, acclimatization and health management.
The seminar will provide swine professionals with practical recommendations to support reproductive performance, improve sow longevity and strengthen herd health and stability.
When will it take place?
The seminar will take place on Thursday, November 12, 2026, from 10:00 to 11:30, during EuroTier 2026, as part of the Pig Progress programme.
About the speaker
Eduardo Velazquez, DVM, is Swine Veterinary Service Manager at Ceva Animal Health, supporting veterinarians, producers and industry partners worldwide in improving swine health and production performance.
With extensive experience in swine production, disease prevention and herd health management, he works closely with customers to develop practical, science-based strategies addressing biosecurity, vaccination, reproductive performance and sustainable pig production.
His expertise includes replacement gilt management, disease control programmes and the optimization of breeding herd performance, combining scientific knowledge with practical field experience to help translate health management strategies into measurable production results.
Join the seminar “Getting Gilts Right: Building the Foundation for Lifetime Sow Performance” at EuroTier 2026 to explore practical approaches to healthier herds and improved lifetime sow productivity.
