April 2025
We are thrilled to share that our project in Uganda has been completed! This initiative is a collaborative effort between Genus, PIC®, Vetline, and AbacusBio aimed at improving the local pig farming industry.
Key Accomplishments:
🔹 Comprehensive Service Packaging
Vetline has successfully developed and implemented a comprehensive service package that includes artificial insemination, health monitoring, and performance tracking. This initiative has provided local farmers with better access to veterinary support, improved breeding techniques, elite genetics, and enhanced productivity.
🔹 Milestone in Insemination & Breeding Success
The project has successfully facilitated insemination across 1,029 farms in 48 districts, resulting in more than 2,000 litters. Improvements in breeding efficiency are contributing to healthier pig populations and greater yields for farmers.
🔹 Weight Tracking for Performance Analysis
To assess growth patterns, we have recorded weight data on pigs in 2,000 litters across a range of ages, including records on 942 PIC progeny and 425 non-PIC progeny. When assessing the weight of pigs at slaughter age, after accounting for litter size and age at weighting, the PIC progeny were, on average, 21.5kg heavier than their non-PIC counterparts. This has the potential to deliver farmers an additional US$65 of revenue. Alternatively, this additional 21.5kg could save about 43 days of growing time (feeding) to the same desired slaughter weight. Pigs reaching a desired slaughter weight earlier can be translated into significant cost savings in feed. Farmers using PIC progeny have reported an estimated 20% reduction in feed costs. This can reduce feed costs by as much as US$30 per pig, and directly improves the profitability of pig farming, ensuring that farmers can invest in further developing their businesses.
🔹 Empowering Local Farmers
A major highlight of this initiative is its impact on farmer empowerment. The program has directly benefited a diverse group of farmers, with 34% female participants and 66% male participants. By providing access to resources, education, and innovative farming techniques, we are fostering a more inclusive and sustainable pig farming community.
The future:
There are ongoing discussions to explore a longer-term relationship between PIC and Vetline, and the continued access of PIC genetics to local farmers.
AbacusBio and Vetline will continue to work together to record and analyse data that enables Vetline to provide a great service to Ugandan pig farmers.
A huge thank you to everyone involved in making this initiative a success!
About AbacusBio:
AbacusBio is a highly respected agribusiness consulting firm, delivering world-class solutions for clients and empowering them with science and business intelligence to grow resources and food for a more sustainable world. With offices in New Zealand and the UK, and a newly opened office in Canada, AbacusBio consultants are deeply engaged with agribusiness communities, leading a diverse range of projects worldwide that highlight the breadth of AbacusBio’s capabilities and services. For more information, visit www.abacusbio.com.
About Vetline:
Vetline Services is Uganda’s leading provider of affordable and reliable high-quality pig semen and professional artificial insemination services. With a strong commitment to improving pig genetics and farmer productivity, we offer a full range of livestock solutions including livestock laboratory services, specialized pig veterinary care, and hands-on farmer training programs. Vetline empowers farmers with science-backed and tailor made solutions.
We are strategically located on Plot 2729/30 in Kiwanga, right next to Namanve Industrial Park.
Visit www.vetlineservicesug.com to learn more.
About PIC:
PIC (Pig Improvement Company) is the global leader in swine genetics, offering genetically superior breeding stock to pig producers and supporting them with technical services to unlock genetic potential. PIC is a subsidiary of Genus, a UK-based company committed to pioneering animal genetic improvement to nourish the world.
