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Research Area

My research interest is to improve performance and welfare of pigs in alternative housing systems by applying ethological knowledge.  Specific interested projects include reducing pre-weaning mortality in group farrowing system with emphasis on maternal ability and neonatal behavior, reducing aggression and controlling individual feed intake in group gestation housing with emphasis on social and eating behavior, and alleviating thermal and social stress of grow/finish pigs in hoop barns by studying social behavior and environmental physiology. 

Current Research

Effects of sow parity, birth weight on pre-weaning mortality of piglet in group farrowing systems

Effects of familiarity and weight variation on aggression, welfare and performance in growing and finishing pigs

Extension Programs

We provide several workshops on swine management, both in confinement and alternative systems. 

E-mail: yuzhili@morris.umn.edu

Recent Publications

Li, Y. Z., B. J. Kerr, M. T. Kidd and H. W. Gonyou.  2006.  Use of supplementary tryptophan to modify the behavior of pigs.  J. Anim. Sci. 84: 212-220.

Li, Y. Z., L. Chenard, S. P. Lemay and H.W. Gonyou.  2005.  Water intake and wastage at nipple drinkers by growing-finishing pigs.  J. Anim. Sci. 83: 1413-1422. 

Schmolke, S. A., Y. Z. Li and H. W. Gonyou.  2004.  Effects of group size on social behaviour following regrouping of growing-finishing pigs.  Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 88: 27-38.

Spinka M., H. W. Gonyou, Y. Z. Li and L. A. Bate.  2004.  Nursing synchronization in lactating sows as affected by activity, distance between the sows and playback of nursing vocalizations. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 88: 13-26.

Schmolke, S. A., Y. Z. Li and H. W. Gonyou.  2003.  Effect of group size on performance of growing-finishing pigs.  J. Anim. Sci. 81: 874-878.

Harris, M. J., Y. Z. Li and H. W. Gonyou.  2003.  Savaging behaviour in gilts and sows.  Can. J. Anim. Sci. 83: 819-821.

Li, Y. Z. and H. W. Gonyou.  2002.  Analysis of belly nosing and associated behaviour among pigs weaned at 12-14 days of age.  Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 77: 285-294.