Monitoring the air

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

A portable, wireless H2S detection system developed by researchers at Iowa State University will be one of the topics of discussion during the 2009 Upper Midwest Manure Handling Expo being held July 22 in Boone, Iowa. Initially, several different commercially available H2S sensors were tested by ISU researchers in a controlled laboratory environment. From those results, a prototype wireless H2S detection system was developed for testing in swine housing by
commercial slurry applicators. A two-piece prototype consisting of a battery operated sensor/transmitter and receiver was constructed. The sensor/transmitter is placed in the swine housing area before agitation/removal begins; the
operator can then monitor H2S concentrations from outside the building. An operatorprogrammed visual/audio alarm can be set to activate at a desired concentration to alert the operator of dangerous H2S conditions. Once
alerted, the operator can take action to dissipate the H2S gas. Testing confirmed that if monitored, dangerous levels of H2S gas can be dissipated by adjusting ventilation during slurry agitation and removal. This testing also showed
that eliminating above surface slurry agitation greatly reduces H2S burst releases. Additional information about the wireless H2S detection system will be provided during an educational session at the 2009 Upper Midwest Manure Handling Expo in Boone, Iowa (http://www.ag.iastate.edu/wastemgmt/expo_home.htm ). Results from field testing and H2S mitigation techniques will also be discussed by the development team.

The effect of ractopamine supplementation at 5 ppm of swine finishing diets on growth performance, carcass composition and ultimate pork quality

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Five hundred thirty-six finishing pigs were placed on experiment for an average of 26 d prior to slaughter, to determine the effects of 5 mg ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC) per kg of diet on growth performance, carcass composition and the eating quality of pork. Treatments included a control diet similar to a western Canadian commercial finishing diet and a treatment diet containing 5 mg RAC kg-1 with elevated amino acids, vitamins and minerals. The experiment started when average animal weight was 86 kg; pigs were marketed at an average liveweight of 118 kg. Two pigs were selected from each of 32 pens in week 4 of the experiment, for detailed carcass and meat quality evaluation, providing 16 pigs per gender per treatment. RAC-fed pigs reached market weight 4 d sooner (P 13% faster (P backfat and 2.5 mm thicker loins (P but RAC-fed pigs had lower CIE a* and b* measurements (P or overall acceptability (P>0.10), but increased Warner-Bratzler shear force and reduced taste panel tenderness slightly (P improve carcass composition. Minimal impact on pork quality can also be expected with the use of RAC fed at this level.

Transportation of Pigs in Western Canada: Temperatures Within Trucks During Winter and Summer Months

Posted in: Prairie Swine Centre by admin on | No Comments

The pigs were transported from the PSC Elstow Research Farm, and involved approximately 8 hours of travel to the Maple Leaf plant in Brandon. Pigs were loaded in the evening and transported overnight to arrive at the packing plant at 6 am. Trials were conducted in both winter and summer. The truck used for transportation was a three-deck dual (cattle and pigs) purpose, pot-belly trailer. The temperature conditions pigs are exposed to during transport vary considerably between seasons and among compartments within a vehicle. It was found that it may be possible to better standardize these temperature variations by changing ventilation and insulation values in each section/compartment of the trailer. The results found in this study will provide direction for important studies in the future.

Cooking effect on fatty acid profile of pork breakfast sausages enriched in conjugated linoleic acid by dietary supplementation or direct addition

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The aim of the present study was to study the effects of grilling on the chemical and fatty acid composition of pork products enriched in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) through animal dietary supplementation or through direct addition in the product formulation. In addition this study aims to compare the useful of CLA dietary supplementation or direct addition into breakfast sausages. The results from this study show that pork products can be modified to provide a significant increase in a functional lipid, which can have positive influences on health. Moreover, grilling had no clear effect on fatty acid levels in sausages with CLA added during manufacturing process. Grilling has a small but significant effect in sausages made with meat and back fat from pigs with a dietary CLA addition. Total CLA levels were not affected by grilling. Therefore, since CLA levels have been found to be stable during cooking, texture and sensory properties of both types of sausages should be evaluated in future studies to clarify the optimal process to increase CLA levels in pork breakfast sausages.

For more information the full article can be found at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03088146

Prediction of the nutrients value and biochemical characteristics of swine slurry by measurement of EC – Electrical conductivity

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The main objective of the present study was to quantitatively characterize the swine slurries in terms of physical, biochemical, and microbial parameters, in order to find an easy means for predicting nutrient matter by easily determinable parameter of EC content in swine slurries. The regression equations were presented and compared for nutrients and other parameters with EC. The data obtained could be useful for facilitating the implementation of Good Management Practices in South Korean swine farms as well as other countries. It was found that the precise characterization of animal waste is an essential guide for the development of new environmental technologies. Swine
slurries observed significant variations in the physico-biochemical properties, macro and micronutrients. Despite EC proved to be a good indicator for predicting nutrients (TN, NH3-N, TK, Na) and other parameters (SG, TS, VS, FS, TDS, TCOD, SCOD) in the slurry. Hence, single EC meter is satisfactory for in situ determination of slurry characters. The data and correlations could be used for systematic management of swine manure and estimate the nutrient contribution to the agricultural fields in South Korea as well as other countries.

For more information the full article can be found at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/09608524

Decision Making By Consensus

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The substantial swings in feedgrain prices in 2008, along with prospects of only modest profits in 2009, have pork producers asking their trusted advisors a lot of serious questions about positioning their operations for better times. With the potentially conflicting opinions, it is easy for producers to become confused as they attempt to make sound business decisions. To prosper in these periods of rapid price gyrations, the successful producer is wise to rely on consensus from his advisory team. Notice that I stressed “team.” In my experience, there is much to be gained in strategic planning by producers of all sizes and types of agricultural enterprises when all of the individuals providing information and advice are involved in the discussion and decision making process. Who you select for your advisory team depends largely on the skills and talents that are missing in your daily decision-making process. Most often, this team will include: a lender who understands the financial consequences of your decisions; a nutritionist who understands your biggest cash expense – feed; a veterinarian who specializes in hogs and understands the health
implications of any change in production technology; and someone who understands your biggest fixed expense – facilities. In addition, you quite possibly will need input from your tax advisor if you are considering major investments or decisions that could have tax consequences. Together, this team can help you formulate a plan that should keep you successful in the business of pork production for many years to come.

Modeling Pork Supply Response and Price Volatility: The Case of Greece

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The development of the global pork production
has been very dynamic in recent decades. Between
1990 and 2004, global meat production
increased from 180 million tons to almost 260
million tons, and the contribution of pork to
global meat production was about 38% in 2005. The objective of this paper is to explore the
supply response in the pork industry. Several
parameters, such as expected pork producer
price, price volatility, and cost factors, are used
to specify the appropriate supply response
model and describe producers’ risk. The empirical analysis used the GARCH process to model producers’ expectations
about expected price and expected
price volatility and the supply response equation
estimated jointly with the price equation
using the FIML econometric approach. It was found that price uncertainty appears to have a strong
negative effect on Greek pig producers, which
might be an important constraint in their attempt
to expand their farm size and invest in
more productive technologies. Also, it seems that pork industry in a small
country like Greece faces serious problems to
adapt successfully to open market conditions
and achieve high level performances in an increasing
level of international competition. Therefore, the
Greek government should further assist pork
producers to participate in specialized investment
programs, financed jointly by the Greek
government and the EU, providing them with
subsidized capital appropriate for modernization
and growth.

Different roughages to organic growing/finishing pigs — Influence on activity behaviour and social interactions

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The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of roughage on organic growing/finishing pigs’ activity behaviour and social interactions. It was hypothesized that access to additional roughage in the outdoor area would make the pigs use this area more frequently and change their activity pattern and access to the roughage would reduce aggressive behaviour and stress among the pigs. The results confirm that access to additional roughage in the outdoor run did encourage pigs to go outdoors more frequently. This suggests that pigs might be motivated to use the roughage to explore and forage. Although straw was provided indoors, access to additional roughage outdoors affected the pigs to be more active and reduced the aggressive behaviour among them. This indicates that roughage is an important resource that might influence the well-being and the behaviour of pigs.

Experimental enteric infection of gnotobiotic piglets with Chlamydia suis strain S45

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Enteric chlamydial infections of pigs with Chlamydia (C.) suis are frequent and often subclinical. The enteric pathogenicity of C. suis strain S45 was investigated in gnotobiotic piglets. Piglets from three litters (n = 31) were inoculated with egg-grown chlamydiae at 2–3 days of age (n = 17) or used as controls (n = 14). They were observed for clinical signs, killed and necropsied sequentially at 2–13 days postinoculation (DPI). Feces were collected daily and investigated with an ELISA for chlamydial antigen. At necropsy, specimens were collected for histopathology and for immunohistochemical, PCR-based, and serological (complement fixation test, ELISA) detection of chlamydiae. Chlamydial replication and associated symptoms and lesions were observed from 2 to 13 DPI and were particularly pronounced within the first week PI. Clinical symptoms consisted of moderate-to-severe diarrhea, slight and transient anorexia, weakness and body weight loss. Immunohistochemistry and ELISA revealed that chlamydial replication was particularly marked at 2–4 DPI and primarily located in the small intestinal villus enterocytes. Further sites of replication included large intestinal enterocytes, the lamina propria and Tunica submucosa, and the mesenteric lymphnodes. Histopathological hanges included moderate-to-severe villus atrophy with flattened enterocytes and focal
villus tip erosions, and moderate mucosal inflammatory cell infiltrates and lymphangitis in the small intestine. PCR of spleen tissue and blood was mostly negative for chlamydiae, indicating that they did not substantially disseminate into the host up to 13 DPI. All sera were negative for anti-chlamydial antibodies. In conclusion, C. suis strain S45 elicited
significant enteric disease and lesions in gnotobiotic piglets indicating its pathogenic potential for swine.

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

Suffering in diseased pigs as expressed by behavioural, clinical and clinical–chemical traits, in a well defined parasite model

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Based on a well-defined model disease (Sarcocystis miescheriana), we have studied behavioural patterns (lying inactive [LYWA], activity during lying [ADLY], feeding [FEED], drinking [DRNK], rooting [ROOT], walking [WALK] and social interactions [SOCB]) of pigs during stages of health (day 0, before infection), acute disease (day 14 post-infection [p.i.]), recovery (day 28 p.i.), and chronic disease (day 42 p.i.). It was found that Deviation from the populations ‘‘standard’’ activity (before infection) could be predicted with clinical–chemical parameters (e.g. alkaline phosphatase). However, further investigations on other disease models are needed to validate suitability of clinical–
chemical traits in assessing suffering and welfare in diseased pigs in the future.

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