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Industry Partners
Prairie Swine Centre is an affiliate of the University of Saskatchewan
Prairie Swine Centre is grateful for the assistance of the George Morris Centre in developing the economics portion of Pork Insight.
Financial support for the Enterprise Model Project and Pork Insight has been provided by:
Enhanced Resistance to Bacterial Infection in Protegrin-1 Transgenic Mice
Posted in: Environment, Nutrition, Ontario Pork, Pork Insight Articles by admin on April 29, 2008 | No Comments
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria have become a public health concern. It was suggested that one source of resistant pathogens may be food-producing animals. Alternative approaches are therefore needed to enhance the resistance of farm animals to bacterial infection. Protegrin-1 (PG-1) is a neutrophil-derived antimicrobial peptide that possesses activity against a wide range of bacteria and enveloped viruses. Here we report on the production of transgenic mice that ectopically expressed PG-1 and compare their susceptibilities to Actinobacillus suis infection with those of their wild-type (WT) littermates. Of the 126 mice that were challenged with A. suis, 87% of the transgenic mice survived, whereas 31% of their WT littermates survived. The PG-1 transgenic mice had significantly lower bacterial loads in their lungs and reduced numbers of pulmonary pathological lesions. The antimicrobial function of PG-1 was confirmed in vitro by using fibroblast cells isolated from the transgenic mice but not the WT mice. Moreover, differential blood cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid indicated greater number of neutrophils in PG-1 transgenic mice than in their WT
littermates after bacterial challenge. Our data suggest that the ectopic expression of PG-1 in mice confers enhanced resistance to bacterial infection, laying the foundation for the development of livestock with improved resistance to infection.
Challenges in the Anaerobic Digestion of Hog Manure
Posted in: Energy, Pork Insight Articles by admin on April 25, 2008 | No Comments
Anaerobic digesters (AD) have different requirements when hog manure is used instead of dairy manure. As well, chemicals like antibiotics and disinfectants can impede the AD functioning. Some level of inhibiting substances, like ammonia, is normal, but if these levels get too high the AD will stop. The maximum level of inhibiting substances an AD can tolerate will depend on the individual substrate and microorganisms. Mathematical simulations can be run to predict yield and stability under various conditions, and a program known as Aquasim has been developed to do so. Aquasim has been run to determine Biochemical Methane Potential with different substrates, to create a semi-continuous flow model for bioethanol by-product, and to monitor a stable dairy biogas plant. The program can fairly accurately predict the complex biological and chemical response of an anaerobic digester under multiple conditions.
An Industry in Change
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The industry needs to change if it is going to be able to recover its competitive edge in the global market. Contributing economic factors to why Canada is now less competitive include the strong Canadian dollar, devaluing of weaner and finisher pigs, and inefficient Canadian packers. However, we may be coming up to a time of increased opportunity for producers due to high cull slaughter, farm closures and herd reductions reducing supply, and hopefully a drop in grain prices. The US will still have an advantage over Canada, so the Canadian industry needs to work together to improve our competiveness. Ways to strengthen the industry include becoming better at risk management, reducing costs, urging the government to reduce barriers and support the industry, and increase the efficiency of packers. The industry needs to change to respond to modern day challenges, but once it does so there is a lot of opportunity for the future.
The mammalian target of rapamycin-signaling pathway in regulating metabolism and growth
Posted in: Ontario Pork, Pork Insight Articles, Uncategorized by admin on April 21, 2008 | No Comments
The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) plays key roles in cellular metabolism and hypertrophic- hyperplasic growth, and it acts as a central regulator of protein synthesis and ribosome biogenesis at the transcriptional and translational levels by sensing and integrating signals from mitogens and nutrients. Hormonal and stress factors can affect the mTORsignaling
pathway via their receptors and signal transduction pathways. Nutritional regulation of the mTORsignaling pathway is mediated by their corresponding plasma membrane transporters, other unknown mechanisms, or both. Adenine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, an important cellular energy sensor, can interact with the mTOR-signaling pathway to maintain cellular energy homeostasis. Interactions ofmTORwith regulatory-associated protein of TOR or rapamycin-insensitive companion of mTOR result in 2 mTOR complexes, with the former (mTOR complex-1) being the primary controller of cell growth and the latter (mTOR complex-2) mediating effects that are insensitive to rapamycin, such as cytoskeletal organization. Upstream elements of the mTOR-signaling pathway include Rashomolog enriched in brain, and tuberous sclerosis complex 1 and 2, with tuberous sclerosis complex 2 as the linker between phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B or Ras-Raf-mitogen-activated protein kinaseextracellular signal-regulated protein kinase pathways and the mTOR pathway. Ribosomal protein S6 protein kinase 1 and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 are currently the 2 best-known downstream effectors of mTOR signaling. Hormonal factors, stressors, and nutrients can differentially mediate cellular metabolism and growth via the mTOR pathway with
effectors specific to the organ or tissue types involved.
Nutritional Management of the Gilt for Lifetime Productivity – Feeding for Fitness or Fatness?
Posted in: Nutrition, Pork Insight Articles, Production by admin on April 3, 2008 | No Comments
Sows have the potential to produce 60-70 pigs in their life, but their actual numbers are often only half that due to premature culling. The main reasons for earlier culling are reproductive failure and lameness. Improving sow longevity decreases the size of the replacement gilt pool needed, and results in improved overall financial return. Breeding recommendations will often suggest waiting until gilts reach a certain weight and/or fatness before first breeding, with the idea that fat gilts will have sufficient body stores to be successful through pregnancy and lactation. While some studies suggest increased lifetime liveborn numbers with increased backfat, many other studies have failed to identify any correlation between fatness and lifetime reproductive success. Improved fitness may be a better way to avoid early culling, and body condition scores are useful to assess fitness. Contrary to popular belief, BCS are generally gauges of musculature rather than fat, except for very over conditioned sows. Proper BCS, and proper management when sows are outside the acceptable range, can help prevent reduced reproductive performance. Lameness is a major reason for culling, and may contribute to reduced reproductive performance and other health issues. High BCS and rapid weight gain can add to a predisposition for lameness. However, certain management strategies can help reduce the prevalence of lameness in a herd. Flooring with a bedding material like straw, and reducing slip risks can help prevent injuries. As well, a significant change in flooring between gilt rearing and breeding areas can lead to increased foot and leg injuries in gilts. Finally, one other factor that may affect gilt performance is air quality, specifically ammonia levels. Different management strategies to improve gilt fitness and reduce lameness can help increase longevity and improve lifetime reproductive performance in sow.
Forgotten Diseases
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The widespread impact of PCVAD and PRRS results in other diseases sometimes being overlooked in the present day. One of these diseases is coccidian, which has the potential for a long-term impact on growth and performance. There is no longer a treatment available on the market, and benchmarking, control, and treatment should be explored. Post weaning diarrhea can be caused by several pathogens, and one of these is E. coli. A more virulent strain appeared in the 1990s, and although research started on treatment it did not continue. PCVAD weakens the immune system and allows otherwise low-infectious pathogens to infect the host. The increased infection rate by these “sui-cide” pathogens could also partially be due to a genetic defect in the modern hog’s immune system. Swine influenza has also re-emerged after triple reassortments of H3N2 were found in swine herds in 2005, and vaccination or prevention are difficult due to the constantly evolving nature and multiple strains of influenza. One of the main public health concerns is salmonellosis that is commonly found in barns, but other pathogens like E. coli and Campylobacter have also been found. Monitoring of diseases is important to track changes in herd health and herd or public risks.
Principles of Health Management
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Limiting disease introduction and spread within a herd can be achieved by using four principles. The first principle is to understand the disease by knowing as much as possible about things like how it spreads, how long it stays in the environment, under which conditions it thrives etc. Also part of this principle is keeping track of what it is doing in the herd, and this can include monitoring and diagnostic testing. The second principle is to keep away new diseases, or new sources of the same disease. This relies on good biosecurity, and even the best barn will have areas they can improve. Thirdly, replacement management can reduce disease transmission. Ensuring gilts have a strong immunity before breeding will help reduce the possibility of spreading disease to their litter. Having gilts enter the herd earlier, closing the herd, purchasing gilts that have been exposed and developed immunity to certain pathogens, like Mycoplasma, and purchasing gilts from PRRS-negative herds can all help depending on the specific barn conditions they are entering. Finally, good husbandry and management protocol dedicated to reducing transmission can help reduce the impact of a disease.
Alternative Sources of Energy – On-Farm Options
Posted in: Energy, Pork Insight Articles by admin on April 1, 2008 | No Comments
An on-farm source of alternative energy is an anaerobic digester, which can be run off of liquid manure. Anaerobic digestion produces digestate and a bioga composed of carbon dioxide and methane. Biogas can be used for energy or fuel, and have a decent energy output. Using additional material, like high energy crops, as well as liquid manure are usually necessary for proper functioning, and will also greatly increase the energy produced. Management for the anaerobic digester requires some management and skill to have it functioning properly. As well, it is useful to be connected to a grid as excess electricity can be produced. Ways to deal with payment or cost of electricity include net metering and the standard offer program (Ontario), and there are various funding programs available in Ontario.
Pulling the Pin on Disease
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When a new disease enters the herd there are indirect costs from increased mortality and decreased performance, and direct costs from treatment or vaccines. The effectiveness of a treatment or vaccine should be considered, and certain ones can bring additional risks as well. If things are not improving, the barn should be examined by someone outside (veterinarian, feed representative etc.), advisors and spreadsheets should be used to see costs and make decisions, and the producer should set an expense point that will not be crossed.
Fire Disaster Recovery: Producer and Veterinary Perspectives
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The summary of events and personal account from a producer after a fire destroyed the farrowing, nursery, breeding, and part of gestation areas of his barn. Emphasis is placed on prioritizing, keeping up staff moral and having a support system if it were to happen again. None of the staff suffered serious injuries, but smoke inhalation is a large danger in a fire.