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Objectives: Establish blood reference values and evaluate the influence of age on the hematological profile of indigenous Slovenian Krškopolje pigs and compare these values with conventionally farmed pigs.
Materials and methods: Blood samples were taken from 57 grower and 36 finisher Krškopolje pigs from 2 organic farms and 183 grower and 47 finisher pigs from 6 conventional farms in Slovenia. Samples were analyzed using an automatic hematology analyzer to measure white blood cell count, red blood cell count (RBC), hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and platelet count (PLT).
Results: The hematological parameter reference values of the Krškopolje pig breed corresponded with reference ranges in the literature. Pig age had a significant effect on hematologic parameters. Organic grower pigs had significantly higher RBC and MCHC values and lower Hct, MCV, and MCH values than conventional pigs. Organic finisher pigs had significantly higher PLT values and lower Hb, Hct, MCV, and MCH values than conventional pigs. All reported differences in hematologic values between Krškopolje and conventional pigs are not expected to affect clinical outcomes.
Implications: These hematologic reference values can be used as a diagnostic tool for assessing the health status of Krškopolje pigs, but pig age must be accounted for. Reference values from the literature are suitable for assessing the health status of both conventionally and organically reared pigs.

Ergot alkaloids (EA) are produced by fungi, including Claviceps purpurea, which can lead to EA contamination of wheat and cereal grains and cause sow agalactia by inhibiting prolactin production. In this case of sow agalactia and increased piglet mortality, a diagnosis of ergotism was made based on clinical signs and feed analysis. The lactation diet had EA at 330 ppb and was fed to sows for 12 to 14 days resulting in 79% (50%) mean (SD) mortality in exposed litters. Ergot alkaloid levels as low as 0.33 mg/kg of feed (0.33 ppm) may result in clinical signs in lactating sows.