Optimized management of genetic variability in selected pig populations

Posted in: Production by admin on January 1, 2008 | No Comments

The results of this research showed the potential value of completing each periodical
calculation of estimated breeding value by optimizations considering genetic variability and
of releasing corresponding information to breeders, in order to enhance
maintenance of genetic variability.

Survey on Salmonella prevalence in slaughter pigs from Saskatchewan

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Organic acids in diets for entire male pigs: Effect on skatole level, microbiota in digesta, and growth performance

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Supplementing diets with formic acid, benzoic acid,
sorbic acid, or normal coated or inulin coated butyric
acid did not affect skatole or indole levels or organic
acid levels in colon of entire male pigs. Formic acid or
benzoic acid supplemented diets resulted in lower
plasma skatole levels than the control or the sorbic
acid supplemented diets. Adding formic acid, benzoic
acid, sorbic acid to diets for entire male pigs reduced
microbial population in the gastro-intestinal tract, but
this did not coincide with changes in skatole production
in the hind-gut.

Investment in swine research is money well spent

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Research has improved
feed efficiency by more
than five per cent over the
last 10 years, reducing feed
costs per market pig by
more than $3.50 – just one
example of the dividends
that flow from investment
in applied research

Effects of breed, sex and halothane genotype on fatty acid composition of triacylglycerols and phospholipids in pork longissimus muscle

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The two major types of lipids in the longissimus muscle (LM) are triacylglycerols (TAG) and phospholipids (PL). The objective of this study was to determine the effects of breed, sex and HAL-1843TM genotype on the fatty acid composition of TAG and PL in LM using purebred pigs fed the same diets. It was found that this report demonstrates that breed and sex were significantly associated with the content of TAG and with the fatty acid composition of
TAG and PL in LM. The HAL-1843TM genotype had minor effects on the concentrations of a few fatty acids in TAG and PL. These results suggest that the effects of breed and sex on fatty acid composition of LM observed in our previous study (Zhang et al. 2007) are the net results of the influences of breed and sex on TAG content and the impact of breed
and sex on TAG and PL fatty acid composition.

Quantification of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide emitted from pig buildings in Korea

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Extensively modern pig production practices degrade the air quality in pig buildings and thereby pose a health risk to the pigs and farm workers (Whyte, 1993; Pearson and Sharples, 1995). To address these environmental problems, the U.S. and Europe are imposing more stringent regulations on aerial contaminants both within and from pig houses (Wathes et al., 1998; Gay et al., 2003). Aerial contaminants generated in the pig buildings are classified into gases, particulates and airborne microorganisms (Wathes, 1994). Representative gaseous compounds in the pig building are ammonia and hydrogen sulfide which are generated by the pigs themselves or by decomposing manure and easily adsorbed onto airbourne dust particles derived from feedstuffs (Bottcher, 2001). If ammonia and hydrogen sulfide are adsorbed onto fine dust particles such as PM2:5, they pose seriously adverse health effects on both pigs and workers because they penetrate the respiratory system (Donham et al., 1986). These gases promote a deterioration of equipment in the pig buildings (Ni et al., 2000b), elicit serious complaints from neighbors if the odors are emitted outdoors (Ni et al., 2000a), and can potentially damage ecosystems by soil acidification, water eutrophication and global warming (Harssema et al., 1981; van Breemen et al., 1982; Buijsman and Erisman, 1988). For pigs, ammonia concentrations above 100 ppm have been shown to cause a decline in feed consumption and daily weight gain (Stombaugh et al., 1969) and concentrations in the range of 50275 ppm lowered the ability of the pigs to clear bacteria from their lungs (Curtis et al., 1977). Concentrations of hydrogen sulfide below 10 ppm have no adverse health effect on pig growth (Curtis et al., 1977), but concentrations of 502100 ppm, 10021000 ppm, and 1000 ppm cause chronic, subacute, and acute intoxication, respectively (Smith et al., 1979). The Korea Ministry of Environment restricts livestock facilities, including pig buildings, to maximum levels of 1 ppm for ammonia and 0.02 ppm for hydrogen sulfide, based on a mandate to lessen odor emissions (KME, 2004). Prior to devising abatement techniques to prevent these environmental and hygiene problems caused by ammonia and hydrogen sulfide emitted from pig buildings, it is essential to accurately determine their concentrations. To date, there is no such field data from pig buildings in Korea. Therefore, the aim of this study was to provide both pig producers and governmental regulators in Korea empirical information on the concentrations and emissions of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide in the different types of pig buildings, and to compare values from Korean pig buildings to those in other countries. Concentrations of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide in the pig buildings averaged 7.5 ppm and 286.5 ppb and ranged from 0.8 to 21.4 ppm and from 45.8 to 1235 ppb, respectively. The mean emissions of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide per pig (normalized to 75 kg liveweight) and area (m²) from pig buildings were 250.2 and 37.8 mg/h/pig and 336.3 and 50:9mg/h/m², respectively. Ammonia and hydrogen sulfide concentrations and emissions were higher in the pig buildings managed with deep-pit manure systems with slats and mechanical ventilation than in other housing types.

For more information the full article can be found at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03014797

Simultaneous Chemical and Sensory Characterization of Volatile Organic Compounds and Semi- Volatile Organic Compounds Emitted from Swine Manure using Solid Phase Microextraction and Multidimensional Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry–Olfactometry

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In this research, a solid phase microextraction (SPME) and novel multidimensional gas chromatography–mass spectrometry–olfactometry (MDGCMS- O) system were used to simultaneously identify volatile organic compounds and related odors emitted from swine manure. It was found that nearly 68% of the compounds for which reaction rates with OH·radicals are known had an estimated atmospheric lifetime.

For more information the full article can be found at https://www.agronomy.org/publications/jeq

Ammonia Emissions Affected by Airflow in a Model Pig House: Effects of Ventilation rate, Floor Slat Opening, and Headspace Height in a Manure Storage Pit

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Laboratory experiments were performed to study the influence of airflow on ammonia emissions from pig house
slurry in a model growing/finishing pig house with slurry in the pit and a clean slatted floor with various opening areas, 100%, 33.3%, and 16.7%. It was found that the NH3 emission rate was more sensitive to the ventilation rate than to the slatted floor opening ratio and air headspace height in the pit. In addition, the NH3 emission rate was much more sensitive to variations in the ventilation rate at low ventilation rates than at high ventilation rates. Similar sensitivity responses were obtained for both slatted floor opening ratio and air headspace height.

Analysing New Crop Grains

Posted in: Prairie Swine Centre by admin on | No Comments

A cold and wet spring which delayed seeding and sprouting has resulted in a late harvest
throughout most of Saskatchewan, if not the Western Canadian Prairies. Although, a
long, dry and sunny fall could significantly improve the outcome, it is reasonable to predict that
the harvest will result in significant amounts of grain that is immature, frozen and or
sprouted. Discounted, frost damaged wheat, canola or barley can represent an opportunity for pork
producers. Producers should have the grain tested for fibre content (ADF and NDF) and use
appropriate equations to adjust the DE content. However, these equations are not accurate if the
damage is severe (bushel weight of 40 or below for wheat or 45 for barley). The energy content
of severely damaged grain should be discounted by 10% and/or it should be diluted with
undamaged grain.
If ergot or mould is suspected, again the grain should be tested. It should then be mixed with
“clean” grain to ensure the toxin does not exceed the recommended levels. None of this grain
should be included in rations destined for the breeding herd.

A Neonatal Swine Model of Allergy Induced by the Major Food Allergen Chicken Ovomucoid (Gal d 1)

Posted in: Ontario Pork, Pork Insight Articles by admin on December 14, 2007 | No Comments

Food allergy is a serious health problem for which a validated outbred large animal model would be useful in comparative investigations of immunopathogenesis and treatment and in testing hypotheses relevant to complex
host-environmental interactions in predisposition to and expression of food allergy. Objective: To establish a neonatal
swine model of IgE-mediated allergy to the egg protein ovomucoid (Ovm) that may mimic human allergy. In order to induce Ovm sensitivity, piglets at days 14, 21 and 35 of age were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection of 100  g of crude Ovm and cholera toxin (50, 25 or 10  g). Controls received 50  g of cholera toxin in phosphate-buffered saline. The animals were challenged orally on day 46 with a mixture of egg white and yoghurt. Outcomes were reported as direct skin tests, clinical signs, IgG-related antibody and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis. Results: Sensitized pigs developed immediate wheal and flare reactions, and after oral challenge, sensitized but not control animals displayed signs of allergic hypersensitivity. Serum IgG-related, Ovm-specific antibodies were detected only in the sensitized pigs and IgE-mediated antibody response to Ovm was confirmed by positive passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reactions induced by sera of sensitized but not by heat-treat-ed sera from Ovm-sensitized pigs or sera of unsensitized control pigs. The present results confirm induction of Ovm-specific allergy in pigs and provide opportunity to investigate allergic predisposition and immunopathogenesis of IgE-induced Ovm allergy using outbred neonatal swine. This may better simulate allergic disease in humans and allow investigation of candidate prophylactic and therapeutic approaches.