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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 20 November 2017
Nose-ringing is commonly used in outdoor pig production to prevent pasture damage. However, nose-ringing causes acute stress at the time of ringing and inhibition of normal rooting behaviour (Horrell et al. 2001). Therefore alternatives to nose-ringing need to be investigated. Previous studies have focused on dietary modification as a way of reducing rooting behaviour and pasture damage (e.g. Braund et al. 1998). Although these methods helped to reduce rooting behaviour they were ineffective at decreasing long-term pasture damage. This experiment examined the effectiveness of providing a special, enriched rooting area in an attempt to reduce pasture directed rooting behaviour and consequently reduce overall pasture damage.