Echinacea purpurea as a potential immunostimulatory feed additive in laying hens and fattening pigs by intermittent application

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

Echinacea purpurea is one of the most important medical herbs. It is widely used around the world to treat common
cold and other infectious disorders with the claim to have paramunity-inducing and non-specific immune responses
stimulating effects. Therefore, the objective of this study was to test a repeated short-time application regime for Echinacea juice as feed additive on phagocytosis, antibody response, and blood cell counts of layers and fattening pigs. It was found that that a repeated short time application of Echinacea juice has immune stimulating effects in layers and fattening pigs. It seems that the repeated 2 days-trickle stimulation is sufficient to increase immune response. In this application regime, it is an easy and economic method to enhance immune reactions in layers and fattening pigs. A different dosage adjustment and application regime for layers in further studies will likely optimize the benefit from using Echinacea as feed additive.

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

Effect of sire and sex on the intramuscular fatty acid profile and indices for enzyme activities in pigs

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The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of sex and sire differences on the intramuscular fattyy acid (FA) profile in slaughter pigs. Particular attention was paid to differences in the indices for enzyme activities (desaturases and elongases) involved in the n−3 and n−6 PUFA metabolism. Strong relationships were found between the IMF content and Δ9, Δ5, Δ6 desaturase and elongase activity indices in pork Longissimus muscle were apparent. Sex and sire had no or moderate effects on Δ9 desaturase and elongase activity indices in MUFA metabolism, but both animal factors significantly affected the long chain n−6 and n−3 PUFA metabolism.

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

The effect of sanitary status degradation and dietary tryptophan content on growth rate and tryptophan metabolism in weaning pigs

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This experiment investigates the effects of low grade inflammation and dietary Trp on growth and Trp metabolism. The results indicate that a moderate inflammatory response was obtained by degrading the sanitary quality of environment. Additionally, poor sanitary conditions modified Trp metabolilsm, this means that the amount of Trp available for growth and other metabolic functions might be reduced.

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

Evaluation of corn grain with the genetically modified input trait DAS-59122-7 fed to growing-finishing pigs

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A growth performance experiment was conducted to assess the feeding value of a double-stacked transgenic corn grain for growing-finishing pigs. This modified transgenic grain is resistant to western corn rootworm and is also tolerant to herbicides containing the active ingredient glufosinate-ammonium. It was concluded that the nutritional value of the modified transgenic corn grain containing event DAS-59122-7 was similar to that of the nontransgenic near-isoline control.

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

Genetic relationships of body composition, serum leptin, and age at puberty in gilts

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The objective of this study was to determine whether polymorphisms in the leptin (LEP), leptin receptor (LEPR), paired box 5 (PAX5), aldo-keto reductase (AKR), and pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) genes were associated with age, leptin concentration, backfat as an indicator of body condition, or BW at puberty in 3 lines of gilts and to characterize genetic relationships among these traits. The results are that a QTL that can decrease age at puberty without increasing BFP and BWP at puberty may exist in this region.

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

Mitochondrial DNA sequence variations in some Italian wild boar populations

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In order to investigate the relationships between Italian wild boar and major pig breeds, the genetic variability of four wild boar populations in Italy (Arezzo, Pisa, Parma, Bergamo) using a 533-bp fragment of the mitochondrial control region was studied. The findings suggest that in Italy wild boar populations have a mixed origin, both EU and AS, and that an interbreeding between wild and domesticated strains has probably occurred.

For more information the full article can be found at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1439-0388/issues

Protein digestibility of porcine colostrum by neonatal pigs

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Determination of the digestibility of amino acids in colostrum will provide information about the amount of each
amino acid available from colostrum to the neonate. Requirement of individual amino acids can be accurately estimated
considering digestible amino acid contents rather than total amino acid contents. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the digestibility of proteins in porcine colostrum when fed to neonatal pigs. Considering limited fermentation in neonatal hind gut and infeasibility of ileal cannulation of neonatal pigs within a short recovery period, total track digestibility was measured to provide meaningful values. It was found that nearly all of the proteins and amino acids in porcine colostrum were absorbed by the small intestine of neonatal pigs. The high digestibility of non-immunoglobulin proteins from colostrum is consistent with its enormous nutritional importance for the survival, growth and development of the gut, as well as whole body growth and development. Findings from this study with piglets provided new invaluable information about the bioavailability of proteins in colostrum for neonates.

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

Organic Food and Farming Certification

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In June 2009 the Canadian government published the Organic Products Regulation to regulate organic certification in Canada for organic products. Details on this new regulation are available on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Canadian Organic Office website and at http://canadagazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2009/2009-06-24/html/sor-dors176-eng.html. The new regulation will be implemented on June 30, 2009.

Competing in the International Pork Market

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On June 5, 2008, the provincial government unveiled the long-term strategy and announced an investment of $356 million to stabilize and strengthen Alberta’s livestock industry through the transition toward a new competitive model. This strategy also unveiled mandatory traceability and the development of a new Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency (ALMA). Recognizing that producers are aware of the need to target a product that consumers are prepared to pay a fair price for, open access to these markets and consumers is essential. Production and processing are dependent not only on access to affordable feed grain; regulatory requirements; labor costs and availability; technology adoption and management expertise, but also on investment dollars. ALMA has recognized the need to attract investment into Alberta, particularly from end-users overseas who may have an interest in further integrating their supply chain with a Canadian supply capability. ALMA is still very much in the organization-building stage. We are anticipating full incorporation by January 2009 and to be operational as an independent entity by April 1, 2009. In preparation, we have been in discussion with industry to further align marketing, supply chain and research strategies. Programs for supply chain development, including automation and product development, should be ready to roll out with the new fiscal year.

Antibiotic Resistance – The Global Perspective

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Antibiotic resistance is a serious public health issue, but the magnitude of its
importance to animal health is poorly understood. Most of the resistance
problems in humans arise from poor antibiotic use practices in human medicine, nevertheless, there is good evidence that antibiotic use in animals
increases the prevalence of resistance in some important bacterial pathogens
of humans, including Salmonella and Campylobacter. There is increasing
pressure to ensure that antibiotic use in all fields, both human and animal, is
prudent. Regulatory authorities are also under pressure to increase controls
on approval and use of antibiotics in animals, but there is agreement that any
such controls must first be justified on scientific grounds. Particular attention
has focused on antibiotic growth promoters and antibiotics critically important
for use in humans. There is good evidence that reductions in use of growth
promoters in finisher pigs would have few adverse outcomes, but reductions in
weaned pigs should be accompanied by alternate methods to deal with
diarrhea. Critically important antibiotics should be reserved for therapeutic use
of serious bacterial infections in pigs, and group treatments of these drugs
should be discouraged.