Land-Use Credits to Corn Ethanol: Accounting for Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles as a Feed Substitute in Swine Rations

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

First, we estimate displacement rates and land-use credits from optimal feed rations derived from a least-cost optimization rather than from feeding trial rations. We find that using feed ration changes from feeding trials and using changes between optimal feed rations may give comparable displacement rates in the case of a swine feed ration because DDGS is a dominant feed ingredient such that regardless of the variable nutrient profile outcomes, the maximum inclusion rate for DDGS is always reached in the optimal feed ration.
Second, absent any efficiency improvement impact in the use of DDGS, we propose an approach to calculate displacement rates that takes into account all changes in feed ingredients when DDGS is introduced in the ration. This approach imposes a bound on displacement rates between zero and one. Third, we fully account for DDGS nutrient profile variability and characterize displacement rates and land-use credits with a distribution rather than a single point estimate. The total land-use credit for DDGS in a swine feed ration ranges from -0.367 to -0.596 hectares. The land-use credit from substituting corn in the feed ration accounts for 56.09% and for soymeal it contributes 48.46%.
Finally, we consider and analyze the possibility that feed compounders may discount the DDGS nutrient profile that they assume when they formulate their ration to ensure that they are at or above any realized nutrient profile at a certain probability, which we refer to as the safety level (say 90%). At this safety level, the land-use credit for corn ethanol declines by 8.47% from the mean in the swine ration case.

Effects of variations in the environment, length of journey and type of trailer on the mortality and morbidity of pigs being transported to slaughter

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The objective of this study was to record a range of variables that might be involved when transporting pigs under
commercial conditions. It was found that temperatures below 5°C (especially when there is no bedding in the trailer) and above 20°C, journeys lasting 30 minutes to four hours, waiting times at the processing plant longer than four hours, journeys during October, November and December, and transporting trailer loads of pigs of both sexes were all factors that could adversely affect the welfare of pigs being transported to slaughter.

For more information the full article can be found at http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/content/by/year

Effect of dietary supplementation with inulin and/or benzoic acid on the incidence and severity of post-weaning diarrhoea in weaner pigs after experimental challenge with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli

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Given the purported different modes of action against PWD and gastrointestinal sites where inulin and benzoic acid are effective, we hypothesised that feeding weaner pigs with diets supplemented with inulin and benzoic acid is a means to reduce ETEC colonisation and the incidence of PWD. Accordingly, this experiment was designed to evaluate whether dietary supplementation with 8% inulin and/or 0.5% benzoic acid would reduce ETEC colonisation and subsequently the frequency and severity of PWD under the conditions of an experimental ETEC challenge. The study found that feeding inulin-supplemented diets reduced the incidence and severity of PWD in weaner pigs experimentally challenged with live ETEC. Dietary modulation with inulin and benzoic acid failed to reduce average ETEC shedding, although a significant relationship occurred between average FC and average faecal shedding of ETEC. Overall this study suggests that feeding weaner pigs an inulin-supplemented diet has potential to reduce the incidence and severity of PWD in pigs without reducing the weaner pig performance.

For more information the full article can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/gaan20

Assessing the ventilation effectiveness of naturally ventilated livestock buildings under wind dominated conditions using computational fluid dynamics

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A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was developed to investigate the natural ventilation of a climatic livestock building under different wind incidences (WIs) for three different inlet opening areas. A 1⁄2 scale experimental duopitch building was employed to validate, both qualitatively and quantitatively, the CFD predictions of airflow distribution. To improve the applicability of CFD to building design, a thermal comfort index called the ‘‘minimum comfort temperature’’ was used in this study.

Results showed that ventilation rates were not at their highest when wind was blowing normal to the building because a considerable quantity of the flow exited the building via short-circuiting. However, the greatest ventilation homogeneity was experienced when the wind was blowing normal to the building, because of the formation of two
wind-driven vortices within the building. Results also showed that the highest level of environmental heterogeneity occurs at WIs of 10–40° because the primary vortex only occupies a portion of the total building volume. It was also found that in some circumstances the ventilation rate determined from the flow rate through the building openings may not accurately represent the actual ventilation rate of a building, and measurements/simulations of contaminant decay may form a more accurate measure of ventilation rate.

Expression of Toll-like receptor mRNA and cytokines in pigs infected with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus

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Field observations have suggested that porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) predispose pigs to secondary infections. The interaction between PRRSV and the secondary invaders has not yet been well elucidated. In this study, we investigated the mRNA expression of Toll-like receptors (TLR) in lymphoid organs and cells, and cytokine
secretions by alveolar macrophages (AMs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in response to pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) in PRRSVchallenged pigs. TLR mRNA expressions were measured by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and cytokine concentrations were determined using commercially available ELISA kits. PRRSV infection led to significantly increased secretions of IL-1b and IL-6 by AMs of PRRSV-infected pigs. Infection of pigs with PRRSV also resulted in an increased secretion of IL-1b by AMs in response to lipoteichoic acid (LTA) stimulation, and IL-6 by PBMCs in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and LTA
stimulation. Infection of pigs with PRRSV tended to up-regulate the mRNA expression of TLR2, 3, 4, 7 and 8 in at least one of the lymphoid tissues and cells. Further research is required to demonstrate the association between the enhanced expressions of the specific TLRs and the increased susceptibility to secondary agents with more severe clinical outcomes in PRRSV-infected pigs.

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

Genetic diversity of Brazilian pig breeds evidenced by microsatellite markers

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Until now, among all the types of molecular markers, the microsatellite loci are the most widely used when studying the
genetic diversity and population structure of livestock. Although the Brazilian naturalized pig breeds have been little studied it is known that they present adaptation traits that could be useful in breeding programs aiming at future consumer demands. For this reason, the objective of this work was to evaluate the actual genetic diversity and the population structure of five naturalized and commercial pig breeds sampled in Brazil utilizing 28 microsatellite loci to infer about some primary tasks important in the area of conservations of pig genetic resources. This study made it possible to clarify the importance of the local or naturalized breeds as well as to propose some management strategies for these Brazilian genetic resources. If the molecular markers are used holistically together with other methodologies, like was done in this present study, they can become a very important tool in assisting the conservation and improvement of herds. Therefore, to preserve the genetic integrity of breeds is necessary, in order to prevent their disappearance, as well as to develop similar research aiming at their conservation. In this way, the genetic potential of these naturalized breeds can be used more effectively as a resource for unexpected future demands in the area of animal improvement.

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

Effect of rearing and slaughter conditions on behaviour, physiology and meat quality of Large White and Duroc-sired pigs

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This paper studies the interactive effects of genetic background and rearing environment on behaviour and stress
reactivity during rearing and at slaughter and the genetic background, rearing environment, slaughter conditions and
individual stress reactivity on technological meat quality traits. It was found that despite large effects of year of experimentation, outdoor rearing, genetic type and slaughter conditions influenced behaviour and muscle characteristics, particularly ante- and post-mortem glycogen content, sometimes influencing ultimate pH. Gender influenced various meat quality traits. Effects of rearing on muscle glycogen content and postmortem pH were stronger during the second year of rearing. Outdoor rearing increased muscle redness and water holding capacity was better in Duroc than Large White-sired pigs. Compared to indoor pigs, outdoor pigs showed a larger range and more active behaviour suggesting improved welfare from a behavioural point of view. Outdoor reared pigs were also less aggressive during pre-slaughter mixing, and less reactive to isolation and to novelty. Effect of slaughter conditions on glycogen content and ultimate pH depended on fighting levels during pre-slaughter mixing. Individual reactivity to social isolation had a predictive value for fighting behaviour during pre-slaughter mixing and post-mortem muscle characteristics.

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

Do alternative marketing arrangements increase pork packers’ market power?

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In this article, we use structural econometrics to formally test whether the use of the AMAs by pork packers is the source of their market power on the spot (cash) market for live hogs. We extend Schroeter’s (1988) beef packing industry model and specify the packers’ conjectures of the change in total market procurement of live hogs through the spot market with respect to their own changes as the explicit functions of their AMAs supply stocks. Testing whether these stocks are significant determinants of the packers’ equilibrium conjectures can be taken as a test of whether the
use of the AMAs is a source of market power on the spot market for live hogs. The test is carried out using the USDA mandatory price reporting data. Our results show statistically significant market power of pork packers on
the spot market for live hogs, but the source of that market power cannot be narrowed down to the existence of AMAs stocks.

For more information the full article can be found at http://ajae.oxfordjournals.org/content/by/year

June 2009 Quarterly Hogs & Pigs Report Summary

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The major problem in the hog industry is not the supply of pork, it is production costs. Corn price near $4
per bushel and soybean meal comparably high have increased the cost of producing pork $12 to $13 per
hundredweight compared to 5 years ago. High priced crude oil resulted in high priced gasoline and high
ethanol prices resulted in high corn prices relative to the 35 years prior to 2008. In fact, the profit per hog
in the second quarter would have been $7 to $12 per head with $2 corn. In the June Hogs and Pigs report, the inventory of 180 lb. and heavier market weight hogs was relatively
close to the June slaughter. However, slaughter in the second quarter has been larger than indicated by the
March 1 market inventory when one considers the smaller live hog import from Canada. Hog weights
indicate marketings were not kept current in the second quarter with a year earlier by at least 2 days and
possibly 3 days. Barrow and gilt carcass weights for the most recent week in June were 4 lbs. heavier than
last year. The bottom line is that the June Hogs and Pigs report confirms our belief that producers need to reduce the
breeding herd another 5% or more to get the industry profitable.

Health is King in Good Times and Bad

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One consistent theme continues to be true through good times and especially during bad times — health
is king. Be diligent in lowering costs.

However, protect herd health. Diseases can strike quickly or cause slow, nagging problems that increase production
costs. Herd health decisions are very difficult and shouid not be made without an accurate picture of the disease risks
on your farm. Work with your local veterinarian to identify which diseases are risks to your herd and which can
be effectively controlled with vaccines or other control measures.