Evaluation of l-glutamine for cryopreservation of boar spermatozoa

Posted in: Production by admin on January 1, 2009 | No Comments

Some amino acids (AAs), particularly l-glutamine (l-Gln), have been employed in sperm cryopreservation for mammalian species. However, no studies have been published on boar sperm cryopreservation using AA. Therefore, the objectives of the following experimentswere to evaluate l-Gln as a freezing extender ingredient for cryopreserving boar sperm. We hypothesized that l-Gln would improve the cryosurvival of boar sperm when used in the freezing extender either as an additive to or a replacement for glycerol or EY. The results suggest l-Gln does have the ability to cryoprotect boar sperm, which was particularly shown by an enhancement of post-thaw sperm motility. However, the cryoprotective effect is dependent on the glycerol concentration of the freezing extender, and is only evident when the glycerol concentration is lowered. Additional studies will be required to elucidate the specific cryoprotective mechanisms of l-Gln for boar sperm, which could be different from those suggested for the sperm of other mammalian species.

For more information the full article can be found at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03784320

Identification of genetic markers for productive life in commercial sows

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The objective of this research was to test the hypothesis that these well conserved genes and gene pathways could also play a role in SPL, even though the productive life of sows is a measure of longevity and their reproductive performance during that time frame. Therefore, genes involved in the IGF pathway, along with genes more specific to reproductive traits, were targeted for marker development and association analyses in the evaluation of length of productive life among commercial breeding females. It was found that several markers were significantly associated with the sow survival portion or the reproductive portion of SPL. The CCR7 gene should be considered in marker-assisted selection schemes for improved sow survival, and IGFBP1 should be considered if selection pressure is warranted on reproductive traits. The inclusion of CPT1A in a marker-assisted selection scheme should improve both the sow survival and reproductive components of SPL and should therefore be strongly considered for improvement of sow productive life in commercial females.

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

Setting Pigs Up to SUCCEED

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Farms with a strong focus on setting pigs up to succeed can earn dividends, both in more pigs produced and more quality pigs finished. To reach that success, it takes engaged employees who have been trained in the proper concepts and who understand what it takes to carry them out in a consistent fashion, says Sarah Probst Miller, DVM, Carthage (IL) Veterinary Service (CVS), who maintains a veterinary consulting office at Neoga, IL. “I see a lot of farms where employees might be going through the motions, but unless they are engaged and understand what they are doing and can multitask,” working in the demanding farrowing rooms may not be the right place for them. CVS promotes a “critical care” program that encompasses the importance of both sow and pig care in its Training Toolboxes software programs used to guide and educate farrowing room managers, according to Miller. Three goals are pursued: getting pigs off
to the best start, reducing mortalities and ultimately reducing variation, she says.

ISU Farm defeats swine odor through aeration

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Researchers at the 610-acre Illinois State University (ISU) Farm near Lexington, Illinois, have been addressing the issue of manure and odor management with a number of demonstration initiatives at the facility’s 200-sow farrow-to-finish unit. The program has focused on polymer-assisted separation of manure solids from the much larger percentage of liquid in manure. Other elements include producing marketable compost from the separated manure solids and using the separated effluent for land application at controlled rates and nutrient compositions on a cornfield. Most recently, the ISU Farm has been experimenting with odor control of the separated effluent in light of complaints from neighboring property owners about objectionable smells.

Effects of supplemental magnesium aspartate and short-duration transportation on postmortem meat quality and gene expression of μ-calpain and calpastatin of finishing pigs

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The aim of this study was to test the effects of supplementing swine finishing diets with magnesium (Mg) and short duration transportation stress on blood parameters, pork quality and μ-calpain and calpastatin mRNA levels of muscle
of finishing pigs. It was found that short-duration transportation elicited the expected endocrine and blood metabolite responses to stress in pigs, and improved color and pH values of pork, but reduced tenderness of meat, which may be related to increase of mRNA level of calpastatin in pigs subjected to transportation. Supplementation of magnesium aspartate (MgAsp) improved pork color, and had a trend to ameliorate tenderness impaired by the transportation stress, which may be partly due to a trend to increase mRNA level of μ-calpain with supplementation of MgAsp. However, the functional mechanism of MgAsp on pork quality needs further investigation.

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

Substituting energy crops with organic wastes and agro-industrial residues for biogas production

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The aim of this work was to evaluate the advantages of different substrates used in a full-scale biogas plant situated in a farm in northern Italy, by considering their potential biogas production and their prices in the market during the year 2007. For feeding the considered biogas plant, substitution of EC with some BR and OW was proposed as an example for other similar applications. It was found that a variety of residual biomasses, such as various BRs, AMs, and OWs, can substitute for ECs in AD for the purpose of biogas production, and may thus facilitate future development of agrarian economy. Biogas plants at farm level are good candidates for treating organic residues of municipalities and the agro-industrial sector in a cost-effective way and for providing territorially diffused electric and thermal power.

For more information the full article can be found at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03014797

Cash Flow Hedges Have Accounting Implications

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Hedging and key risk management principles have become mainstream financial tools for many pork producers as they look to manage the risks associated with buying grain and selling hogs. Hedging is an investment to reduce the risk of adverse price movements in an asset. Derivative contracts, such as futures, forwards, puts and calls are now a part of everyday operations as lenders encourage producers to implement risk management strategies. From a financial reporting perspective, these cash flow hedges are accounted for as purchase commitments, derivative contracts not electing hedge accounting and derivative contracts electing hedge accounting. Each of which are summarized in the article. However, make sure you discuss your strategy with your broker, accountant and those who utilize your financial statements to ensure you have considered all issues that may arise from the selection of these methods.

Assessing Consumer Preferences and Attitudes toward Imported Pork in Urban China

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The objective of this study is to assess and measure consumers’ preferences and attitudes
towards U.S. pork. It was found that age had a negative effect on willingness to pay (WTP) for U.S. pork, relative to domestic or Chinese pork. It is plausible that older Chinese citizens are more reluctant to purchase foreign produced
goods because they are either less understanding of imported food products or due to nationalistic and patriotic reasons. The aggregate model also indicated that individuals that shop at international supermarkets have a higher willingness-to-pay for U.S. pork. The food safety variable is insignificant in the WTP model, indicating that consumers
have not established a clear link between U.S. pork and food safety issues.

Societal concern related to stocking density, pen size and group size in farm animal production

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In this study available survey data from Flemish citizens, collected by the researchers during the period 2000–2006, in different waves and with different purposes, are explored in order to gain insights in the societal concern and perception of space allowance as an animal welfare issue. It was found that found that the societal concern of both stocking density and pen size is imperative within the full picture of farm animal welfare. In comparison with other animal welfare related aspects, both stocking density and pen size rank high in terms of perceived importance and receive relatively low evaluative belief scores. The perceived importance for group size is considerably lower as compared to stocking density and pen size, and citizen judgments are milder towards this aspect.

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

Infections with weakly haemolytic Brachyspira species in pigs with miscellaneous chronic diseases

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The prevalence of infections with different Brachyspira species was assessed in 202 pigs with various chronic herd problems using different methods. It was shown that infections with weakly haemolytic Brachyspira spp. may contribute to colonic pathology in pigs with chronic herd problems and that mixed infections seem to occur more frequently than previously noticed.

For more information the full article can be found at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03781135