Amino acids in a yeast-derived protein source (NuPro®) are highly digestible for 3- to 4-wk-old pigs

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

NuPro®, a yeast-derived protein source, is an alternative to spray-dried plasma in diets for newly weaned pigs. There is no information about the amino acid digestibility in NuPro® during the immediate post-weaning period. The objective of this experiment was to determine the ileal digestibility of amino acids in a yeast-derived protein (NuPro®, Alltech Inc.) in 4-wk old piglets. It was found that NuPro® is a source of highly digestible amino acids for newly weaned pigs. The data obtained in this experiment on standardized and apparent ileal digestibility values for NuPro® may be used in diet formulation for pigs between 20 and 30 d of age.

Validation of saliva sampling techniques in swine in order to assess stress responses

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Salivary cortisol (a stress hormone) is an outcome measure that can be used
along with health, behaviour, and productivity as an indication of what pigs are
experiencing when exposed to various production methods. Saliva sampling
has the potential to be a relatively non-invasive method of determining cortisol
concentration, where pigs chew on cotton attached to a rod to collect the
sample. However, techniques have not yet been validated or standardized for
use in grower-finisher pigs. The purpose of this study was to determine the
effect that different sampling regimens have on salivary cortisol concentration. It was found that Group/Interval sampling appears to be the least stressful
regimen for collecting saliva samples. With this knowledge, there will be
increased confidence that salivary cortisol concentrations indicate a stress
response to the situation being tested (for example, the effect of crowding)
and not a response to the sampling procedure

Evaluation of l-glutamine for cryopreservation of boar spermatozoa

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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.

Mapping for manure management

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By employing new manure mapping technologies and through their own progressive initiatives, Iowa’s Van Gilst brothers are keeping their hog farm ahead of the curve on the manure management front. The barns at the Van Gilst operation are all slatted, with eight-foot cement pits under each. The pits can hold enough manure for up to a year, though they try to pump the barns in both the spring and fall, depending on weather conditions. They are working to incorporate technology—in the form of mapping software that would record manure hauls—into their operation,
which will tell them easily and quickly what areas of the fields have been covered.

Fatty acid composition and meat quality traits of organically reared Korean native black pigs

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In recent years, organic animal products have received a significant attention in most developed countries, as the environmentally friendly products are considered to be a healthier and safer than those produced by intensive
production system. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of free-range outdoor and conventional confined-indoor feeding systems on growth performance, meat quality and fatty acid compositions. It was found that that the organic rearing system significantly influence meat quality of longissimus muscle for Korean native black pigs (KNPs). The organic system resulted in significantly highermyoglobin content, and consequently higher redness value (CIE a*) than the conventional one. The current study also identified that the organic system changed fatty acid composition of intramuscular fat, resulting in significantly higher levels of PUFA,USFA and PUFAn-3. In this respect, the quality of meat can be proved to benefit from the organic system for pig production.

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.