BOARD-INVITED REVIEW: The use and application of distillers dried grains with solubles in swine diets

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Distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) may be included in diets fed to pigs in all phases of production. The concentrations of DE and ME in DDGS are similar to those in corn. This paper concludes that DDGS can be included in
diets fed to growing pigs in all phases of production, beginning at 2 to 3 wk postweaning, in concentrations of
up to 30% DDGS, and lactating and gestating sows can be fed diets containing up to 30 and 50%, respectively,
without negatively affecting pig performance.

For more information the full article can be found at http://jas.fass.org/

Rethinking the way we load pigs

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Powerpoint Presentation, presented at the 2009 Livestock Transportation Conference. Claims loading system results indicate that pigs loaded on the P chute during the FP have fewer total deads and total losses.

True digestibility of phosphorus in canola and soybean meals for growing pigs: Influence of microbial phytase

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The objectives of this study were to estimate the true digestibility of P (TPD) in canola (CM) and soybean meals (SM), and to determine the effect of microbial phytase on TPD, CM and SM. The results show a TPD of 41% in growing pigs fed CM or SM. This means that the addition of microbial phytase at 1,000 units/kg does improve the true digestibility of phosphorus in both canola and soybean meals.

For more information the full article can be found at http://jas.fass.org/

Chemical Hazards: A Swine Worker’s Guide

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Precautionary & Hazard Symbols, Point of Entry, Protective Gear, Solvents, Veterinary Drugs, Cleaners & Sanitizers, Insecticides, Rodenticides, Disposal and Emergency Numbers

Characterisation of sows’ postures and posture changes with regard to crushing piglets

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The aim of this study was to analyse different behavioural traits of sows to describe posture changes and to determine the influences of these traits on piglet losses. Twenty sows which crushed one or more than one piglet (C-sows) were compared to 20 sows which crushed no piglets (NC-sows). It is concluded that the results suggest posture patterns of non crushing-sows and Crushing-sows are different, especially nest-building behaviour prepartum and ventral or lateral recumbence postpartum, indicating a possible use to characterise the maternal abilities of sows in minimising piglet crushing.

Tissue fatty acid profiles, plasma biochemical characteristics and cecal biogenic amines in piglets fed diets containing flaxseed and carbohydrase enzymes

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Dietary manipulation has been proposed as a strategy for optimizing performance of newly weaned pigs. Flaxseed (FS) as a feed ingredient contains a number of constituents, such as mucilage, gel forming polysaccharides, structural carbohydrates and ω-3 fatty acids (FA), which could have functional properties in relation to optimizing piglet performance. The aim of this study was to determine tissue FA profiles, systemic and portal plasma biochemical characteristics and cecal digesta biogenic amines in piglets fed diets containing FS and a multi-carbohydrase enzyme supplement (C). It was found that FS with or without C supplementation supported lactate fermentors and reduced biogenic amine levels in the gastrointestinal tract suggesting potential of FS in promoting healthier gut in piglets. Enzyme supplementation increased plasma glucose independent of FS. Overall, the results provide further implications of applying dietary strategies to maintain health and productivity of piglets.

For more information the full article can be found at http://www.journals.elsevierhealth.com/periodicals/livsci

High-value manure

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Water is a valuable commodity on the dry plains of northwest
Oklahoma. So any opportunity to conserve and recycle this
precious resource is a real bonus to businesses like the farrow-to-wean hog operation owned by Chuck and Wathina Luthi. An important aspect to the Luthis’ manure management system
is how the manure is treated prior to flushing the pits, as well as
when it is situated in both stages of the lagoon. They treat the
manure with commercial pit additives, which are part of the overall
Hog Wash system. This system provides a number of benefits,
starting with reduced odor and hydrogen sulfide emissions.
Wathina says it is a natural carbon-based product that not only
improves the working environment in the barns, but also breaks down the manure solids. After eight years in operation, their farm
still has not had any issues with solid build-up in the lagoons, nor
have they had to invest in any mechanical systems to aerate them.

Global Price and Production Forecast

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Financial losses, due in large part to high feed prices, have caused both U.S.
and Canadian hog producers to reduce the number of litters they are
producing. This has led to an expected 2.5% decline in combined U.S. and
Canadian hog slaughter during 2009. Reduced hog slaughter should lift 2009
hog prices closer to breakeven levels. The biggest uncertainty is the impact
on meat demand of the developing global economic recession.

Formulating with Opportunity Ingredients

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This paper will discuss the use of opportunity ingredients in grow-finish pig
diets and what potential they offer to increase margin over feed and facility
cost (MOFFC; net return). There are many existing, and some new, opportunity ingredients that can be used to increase
MOFFC but we must understand the nutrients they contain, risks associated
with using them and potential economic benefits when formulated correctly
into pig diets. Examples of new opportunity ingredients are: dried distillers
grains with solubles (DDGS) and expeller processed canola meal. Existing opportunity ingredients that have been around for some time are canola meal, peas, lentils, faba beans, bakery by-products, Extrapro, stillage, and liquid
whey from dairy industry. These opportunity ingredients can offer significant diet and feed cost savings if
formulated correctly into diets. However there are risks associated with using
them. The risks can be mitigated by acquiring as much information on the
ingredient as possible prior to using such as nutrients it brings to the diet,
impact on diet palatability and diet handling characteristics. As the demand for
traditional feed ingredients increases we will be forced to use more
opportunity ingredients in diets and optimize the use of current ingredients if
we are to control feed costs and remain competitive.

Control of hydrogen sulphide emissions from swine barns using nitrite and molybdate: effect of manure age

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Emission of odorous and gaseous compounds such as hydrogen sulphide
(H2S) from livestock operations can be a major impediment to the expansion
of these facilities, especially in locations close to populated areas.
Occupational and environmental concerns, as well as stricter government
regulations, require the control of H2S emissions. A biological approach used
in the oil industry, in which nitrite and/or molybdate are added to control the
production of H2S in oil reservoirs, was shown to be effective in controlling
H2S emissions from swine manure. Low H2S
concentrations were maintained throughout the treatment using molybdate,
but with nitrite, concentrations increased again after a few days.