The effect of two different production systems on pig fecal microbiota composition

Summary

This study examined how different pig production systems and co-rearing with other livestock affect pig fecal microbiota composition. Researchers analyzed fecal samples from pigs raised under three systems: pasture with small ruminants and cattle (L1), indoor with no other animals (L2), and pasture with cattle (L3). Samples were collected in all four seasons of 2022 and analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing. While the microbial alpha diversity was similar across all groups, significant seasonal variation was observed. Microbiota composition differed significantly between L1 and the other two groups, but not between L2 and L3. The most influential factors on microbiome differences were farm-specific conditions and the livestock workers, rather than the production system or co-rearing practices themselves. This suggests that environmental and management factors at the farm level have a greater impact on pig microbiota than the broader rearing system.