Complex adaptation strategies concerning nutrition, housing technology, and veterinary treatment are required to maintain current production levels under increasingly stringent regulations on the preventive application of antibiotics. The reduced application of antibiotics is recommended for the sustainability of industrial pig production. Probiotic supplementation may contribute to improved sow and piglet health, mitigating the need for antibiotics. The effects of probiotic supplementation on sow performance and the quantity of fecal bacterial communities in lactating sows were investigated. Experimental sows received probiotic supplementation (n=10) and were compared to control sows (n=10). Fecal samples were collected from 20 sows in the second week of lactation. The quantitative measurement of total bacteria, Prevotella genus, Lactobacillus spp., and Bifidobacterium spp. was done by qPCR. Differences in backfat thickness (BFT), BFT loss, and feed intake of control and experimental sows were not significant (p>0.05). The amount of total bacteria, Prevotella, and Lactobacillus spp. was lower (p<0.05) in the fecal samples of experimental sows. The Prevotella percentage in total bacteria decreased, whereas Bifidobacterium spp. the ratio increased in experimental supplemented sows. Overall, probiotic supplementation resulted in notable alterations regarding some of the analyzed bacterial communities.

In areas where the tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) appears and multiplies, the original vegetation degrades and transforms. The invasive tree of heaven is also of great importance in urban environments, where it causes building damage, static problems and endangers utilities. Ailanthus pollen concentration was measured during the 3-year period 2018–2020 at three county capitals (Kaposvár, Szekszárd, Pécs) of the South Transdanubia region, Hungary (Somogy county, Tolna county and Baranya county), with a 7-day Hirst-type (Burkard) pollen trap. The extent of the prevalence of A. altissima can be deduced from its pollen concentration. For this purpose, multi-year pollen data are displayed on a result map in which areas characterized by different pollen concentrations are represented by colour codes. The mass appearance of A. altissima is a serious problem in almost all areas (national parks, forests, inner city zones and towns), where its control/eradication would cost millions of euros. Pollen monitoring provides information on the size of A. altissima stands and provide a basis for proposals and plans for measures to control this invasive tree species and mitigate the damage caused by it.