A reverse vaccinology approach to swine dysentery vaccine development

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

This study aimed to use a reverse vaccinology approach to identify B. hyodysenteriae proteins for use as recombinant vaccine components. It was found that the pigs developed antibodies to the proteins, and following the experiment only one developed swine dysentery compared to five of nine non-vaccinated control pigs.

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

Measurement of pig claw pressure distribution

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The change in pressure distribution when an animal with claw problems tries to move leads to specific lesions at the claw sole, which tends to reach the soft tissue causing pain and lack of welfare. Older animals (finishing pigs and sows) are particularly subject to locomotion problems caused by claw injuries, as the use of fogging to reduce heat stress and close contact with urine and manure residues on the floor can reduce claw hardness. The objectives of this research were to simulate in laboratory, the static claw pressure distributions of pigs standing on a hard surface compared to rubber flooring; and to measure the dynamic effects in the field, using live animals with normal gait using a piezoelectric sensing device and to correlate the regions of the claw under most stress to the defects frequently found in commercial pig production. It was found that the rear outer claws are severely overloaded when compared to rear inner claws and front
claws (irrespective of digits) and that is associated with the reported pathologies found in the literature (cracks and sole
ulcers). Also, that applying cushioning through the use of rubber mattresses may reduce the overloading of claws, mostly the rear outer claws, and this may prevent defects from occurring.

For more information the full article can be found at  http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/15375110

Feed intake in the multiparous lactating sow: Its relationship with reactivity during gestation and tryptophan status

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This experiment deteremined whether the feed intake during lactation was related to the reactivity of the sow during gestation and plasma Trp and cortisol concentrations. This test allowed the selection of 12 reactive (R) and 8 nonreactive (NR) sows for the study. It was found that the NR sows were less reactive to human contact, had shorter farrowing duration, and a shorter birth interval than R sows. Feed intake was also greater for NR sows throughout the whole lactation period. Plasma cortisol concentration was maximal on the day after farrowing and returned to normal within 4 days postpartum. A low reactivity during gestation was associated with behaviour of the sow that was favourable to piglet survival during farrowing, increase feed intake and decreased plasma Trp concentration during week one of lactation.

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

Transport Quality Assurance

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Powerpoint Presentation, presented at the 2009 Livestock Transport Conference. Includes critical issues, certification benefits, and what is next.

Raw potato starch in weaned pig diets and its influence on postweaning scours and the molecular microbial ecology of the digestive tract

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This study evaluated to effect of raw potato starch (RPS) on growth performance, postweaning diarrhea, and gastrointestinal microbial populations in weaned piglets. It is concluded that 7% of RPS can be used to prevent postweaning diarrhea in weaned piglets and there was no effect on growth performance.

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

Respiratory Eqipment Fact Sheet

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Facts and different types of equipment, as well as the proper fitting.

Role of selection and inbreeding on the incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma in Sinclair swine

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This paper reports the quantitative analysis of the historical database of a herd of Sinclair swine affected by cutaneous malignant melanoma. The herd was under partial and non-systematic selection for melanoma susceptibility (animals having at least one tumour during the first 6 weeks of life). It was found that there was no evidence of dominance in the individual inbreeding coefficients but the number of live-born pigs was lower in litters from parents susceptible to the disease (p < 0.01).

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

Control charts applied to simulated sow herd datasets

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This paper presents an approach for computer-based farm analysis, to support the decision-making of the farmer. The
aim was to develop a method enabling the farm manager to quickly detect with statistical certainty emerging process
changes in swine production. To gain more insight into the optimal design of the CUSUM as well as the EWMA
(exponentially weighted moving average) chart in agriculture production processes without any side-effects, a simulation study was performed. It was found that both the EWMA and CUSUM charts enabled a clear graphical presentation of the results. The classification performance was comparable. The presentation of the EWMA chart may be easier to understand, because actual values are assigned in contrast to CUSUM, which works with deviations. An advantage of CUSUM is the possibility to differentiate between calculating the positive and negative deviations. Modern computer technology enables the implementation of control charts in online production monitoring. Further, analysis of the relevant (out-of-control) deviations should examine the underlying causes to improve farm performance.

Going Organic

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Faced with time-consuming drives to apply its manure and new
phosphorus
management regulations, the Grenier family hog operation
recently turned to technology company Envirogain and its system
of converting manure into organic fertilizer.
In the Canadian province of Quebec, which has a major hog
industry, the manure problem has become so severe that a
moratorium has been placed on the expansion of pig farms. In
regions which have been found to have too much phosphorus in
the soil because of manure application, pork producers have been
forced to find other areas—often more than 50 kilometres from
their breeding sites—to spread pig manure. While the challenge to meet these requirements is great, help is
coming thanks to a new hog manure treatment system that is
being developed, marketed and operated by Envirogain, a
technology firm in Saint Romuald, on the south shore of Quebec
City. After five years of research on an experimental site, the firm
is marketing a technology that will allow hog operations to
continue production, and not have to be concerned about looking
for new land to spread manure.

Country of Origin Labeling – COOL

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The new Country of Origin Labeling requirements took effect in the U.S. on
September 30, 2008. Most non-processed beef, pork and chicken sold in
grocery stores must be labeled with the countries in which the animals were raised and slaughtered. There are a number of potential outcomes from
COOL. The law could be loosely enforced or repealed. Packers may make
widespread use of multi country labels. In this case COOL is likely to have
little impact on pork or hog trade between the U.S. and Canada. Canadian
pork has the potential to develop into a niche market and sell at a premium to
U.S. pork. U.S. retailers may resist handling more than one label, causing
packers to resist buying hogs born in Canada. Time will tell.