The study aimed to highlight the general trend of indigenous Lao pig utilization and the altered reproductive performance with special reference to location and rearing systems. Indigenous pigs are not only important for household consumption, but they also serve as household savings that the households use anytime, i.e. to support their children's education and traditional activity performance. Proper management is needed to improve reproductive performance of indigenous pigs in Laos.

We report on results of a 30-year cooperation between Hungarian and German scientists on reproductive research in female pigs. Several new techniques such as endoscopy and embryo transfer were used to study endocrinology, the ovulatory process and fertilization in pigs. The research was further focused on indigenous Hungarian Mangalica pigs to highlight particularity and support the renaissance of this native pig breed. This bilateral cooperation was broadened to non-European fatty pig breeds.

Single housing with full-time crating is the typical system for keeping suckling sows, but animal welfare is neglected. Short-time crating is an alternative due to animal welfare. The objective was to compare the two systems under practical conditions. Short-time crated gilts did not cause an increased amount of loss of piglets due to crushing, and the daily gain of their piglets was higher. Behavioural observations showed that gilts' welfare was positively influenced by short-time crating.

A comparative life cycle assessment of pork with different feed scenarios substituting soybean products has been performed. Alternative scenarios used legumes, a protein crop mix, and amino acids. Results expressed per kilogram of feed depended greatly on the method used and the impact category considered. The inclusion of land use change increased global warming potential by up to 43 %. Results per kilogram of pork showed the amino acid scenario to have the least overall environmental impacts.