Comparison of production traits between pigs with and without the Escherichia coli F4 receptors in a White Duroc x Erhualian intercross F2 population

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To evaluate the influence of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) F4 receptors on production traits in pigs, ETEC F4ab, F4ac, and F4ad adhesion phenotypes and 27 traits related to growth, carcass, meat quality, and length of the small intestine in a White Duroc × Erhualian intercross population were measured.

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

Managing Transport Risk

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Powerpoint Presentation, presented at the 2009 Livestock Transportation Conference

Omega-3 fatty acids in the gravid pig uterus as affected by maternal supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids

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In this research paper, two experiments evaluated the ability of maternal fatty acid supplementation to alter
conceptus and endometrial fatty acid composition. In Exp. 1, treatments were 1) the control, a corn-soybean meal diet; 2) flax, the control diet plus ground flax (3.75% of diet); and 3) protected fatty acids (PFA), the control plus a protected fish oil source rich in n-3 PUFA. It was found that supplementing n-3 PUFA, beginning 30 d before breeding, affected endometrial, conceptus, and fetal fatty acid composition in early pregnancy. Dynamic day effects in fatty acid composition indicate this may be a critical period for maternal fatty acid resources to affect conceptus development and survival.

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

Hearing Equipment and Protection

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Earplug and earmuff fitting instructions as well as the 4C’s of hearing protection – Comfort, convenience, communication and caring.

Association of parathyroid hormone-like hormone (PTHLH) and its receptor (PTHR1) with the number of functional and inverted teats in pigs

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Parathyroid hormone-like hormone gene (PTHLH) and its receptor, parathyroid hormone/parathyroid hormone-like hormone receptor 1 (PTHR1), play a role in epithelial mesenchymal interactions during growth and differentiation of different tissues and anatomic structures, including teats. Therefore, PTHLH and PTHR1 were evaluated as functional
candidate genes for their effects on number and shape of teats in pigs. It was found that PTHR1 is a candidate gene for number of teats and in particular for affection by and number of inverted teats.

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

An age-dependent association between a leptin C3469T single nucleotide polymorphism and intramuscular fat content in pigs

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In this study the association between a silent C3469T substitution at exon 3 of the Lep gene with SB thickness and IMF content and fatty acids (FA) composition at different time-points throughout the finishing period was examined withthe aim of understanding if genotype effects are temporally modulated. It was found that the associations
between gene polymorphisms and fatness vary with age and fat tissue. Although this circumstance makes more difficult
the identification of causal mutations, it can help for acting at specific ages or tissues. Thus, the fact that, at late ages, the C3469T Lep polymorphism may be preferentially associated with intramuscular fat content but not to subcutaneous fat can be useful for selecting them independently of each other.

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

Feed Additives

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This paper explains how certain feed additives and supplements work. Included is Penergetic-t, MicroSource S, YQP Powder, Micro-Aid, Agroin, D.U.A. from Helfter Feeds, PCS Sales Feed Products, and SHAC’s Feed Additive

Cost of Production Forecast – U.S. vs. Canada Comparison

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In hog production Canada has an advantage in sow production because of productivity and health, the US has an advantage in grow-finish because of facility costs, asset utilization and bigger pigs. Canada has an advantage in grow-finish because of feed and health. Genetics is neutral. In Processing Canada has an advantage because of the immigration policy but the US has a large Hispanic work force. In regards to asset utlization and economies of scale the US has the advantage because of more double shifts and bigger plants. However, Canada has an advantage of being able to focus more on the customer because of smaller plants that are able to provide a customized product. With regards to marketing the US has a larger domestic market but Canada has a strong international recognition. However, the US has an advantage with regards to transportation because of box cars and being a larger world consumer.

Leadership for Positive Change

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In 2005, the Canadian Pork Council launched the Animal Care Assessment,
or ACA, an auditable on-farm program for animal care. The program follows
in the footsteps of the on-farm food safety program, CQA®, which is now a
core program in the Canadian hog industry.
Producers, already burdened with an increasing array of programs and
requirements, voluntary and mandatory initiatives, may wonder why such a
program is needed, and what value it will bring. This paper outlines
the pressures that led to the creation of the program, the steps and challenges
faced in developing the initiative, and the current environment that makes
having such a program critical. It was concluded that developing a national, credible, animal care program was necessary given both the domestic and international pressures facing the industry. But building the program is not enough. Producers need to participate, and to participate, they need to see a benefit. While the incentives are not financial, they are still clear. Without such a program, without such a defense, to domestic and international customers and the public, there is little to stand on.

In vitro digestibility techniques to predict digestible energy content of common ingredients and feed samples in grower pigs

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The regression equation developed in the present study can be
used to estimate the variation in DE content across ingredients and mixed
diets in swine. The in vitro technique can also be useful to calibrate near infrared
reflectance spectroscopy so that DE content can be predicted rapidly in
field situations.