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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:
An Overview of the Animal Care Assessment Program
Posted in: Welfare by admin on January 1, 2007 | No Comments
The treatment and care of animals is important, as is outlined in the 1984 Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Farm Animals: Pigs. These codes provide information about recommended practices to produces and interested parties. There is now a program in development that looks at promoting sound animal care practices on Canadian hog farms, providing a mechanism to demonstrate that the practices are being followed, and building confidence throughout the supply chain and consumers. This program is called the ACA. This program will be delivered through the CQA agency in each province. This program will efficiently be implemented in the near future.
Relationship between growth and non-nutritive massage in suckling pigs
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Nursing in piglets relies on a particularly complex communication system, due in part to piglets being a precocial and a polytocous species lacking a milk cistern, such that milk is available at all teats simultaneously only for very short periods of time throughout the day. After lactation is established during the first couple of days, nursing becomes synchronous and cyclical, with all piglets suckling simultaneously every 30–70 min, over 20 times a day (Fraser, 1980; Lewis and Hurnik, 1985). These regular nursing bouts include five discrete phases that are observable in both domestic (Fraser, 1980) and wild breeds (Horrell, 1997). The first three phases involve the communication and coordination between the sow and her litter to ensure piglets arrive at and stimulate the udder to induce milk ejection (Algers, 1993; Bazer et al., 2001). Once the sow and piglets are synchronized and the udder has received adequate stimulation, the fourth phase, milk ejection, occurs (Fraser, 1980). The fifth and final phase of piglet nursing involves massage after milk is ejected. This period involves both massage and slow sucking (Fraser, 1980) and is very variable in length, depending on whether the sow or piglets terminate the nursing bout (Jensen et al., 1998) and on the age of the piglets (Horrell, 1997). The final massage is generally longer in duration than the massage prior to milk ejection (Algers and Jensen, 1985) and involves the expenditure of substantial amounts of energy (Klaver et al., 1981) that would seem to be counterproductive for animals trying to survive and grow. The objective of this experiment was to determine if there is a relationship between non-nutritive massage and growth in the young pig over the course of lactation. The suckling behaviour of 195 piglets from 20 litters was observed during at least three nursing bouts on each of three separate days. Piglets were weighed at birth and at 15 days post-partum, and 15-day growth rates were calculated. There was a significant difference between and within litters in suckling behaviour performed after milk ejection. Growth rates were negatively correlated with suckling during the final massage for individual piglets (r = -0.26; P < 0.003) and entire litters (r = -0.79; P < 0.001). Slower growing piglets also performed more suckling behaviour between nursing bouts r = -0.23; P < 0.05) and during incomplete nursing bouts (r = -0.30; P < 0.01) Piglets that performed the final massage consistently grew slower than those not involved with this costly behaviour. This data supports the hypothesis that massage after milk ejection is representative of piglets’ nutritional need. However, it appears that a lengthy massage does not result in an overall net return on piglet growth rate.
Vaccination of Sows and Gilts against PCV2 Diseases: Field Experiences in Europe
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Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) has been associated with a number of disease syndromes in pigs, including post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS), proliferating and necrotizing pneumonia, porcine respiratory disease complex (PRDC), abortion and reproductive problems (Allan & Ellis, 2000). Porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS) and a new ear necrosis syndrome have also been associated with PCV2 but today, there is not definitive evidence that PCV2 is the major cause of these syndromes. Since the end of 2004, CIRCOVAC® (Merial), a PCV2 vaccine dedicated to sows and gilts to control PCVD in the whole herd, has been used in several parts of the world. The goal of this paper is to review the large-scale studies of PCV2 vaccination in Europe. PMWS/PCVD are still major causes of impaired economic performance in all parts of the world. Vaccination of the sows with CIRCOVAC® has now extensively, and in various geographic areas, been shown to prevent PMWS mortality and to decrease total mortality in piglets as well as to improve growth and performance of the piglets. The vaccinated herds previously suffering from PCVD were able to recover and to return to a “close-to-normal” performance (even sometimes better than before the PCVD outbreak), due to an almost total reduction of the increase in mortality above the basic non- PCV2-related mortality. In addition, the recent studies presented here confirm the largely reported beneficial effects of CIRCOVAC® in the field on reproduction as well as on the very early period of the piglet’s life. The data regarding reproduction are in contradiction with other recently presented observations in the United States, using the PigCHAMP system (Nerem, 2007), that did not show PCV2 vaccination in 18,000 sows to improve reproduction results, although the tool used is quite similar to the GTE data analysis system. This may have several explanations including a different health status of the herds/sows, a difference in the time frame of the study or a difference in the vaccine used. Vaccination of the sows and gilts with CIRCOVAC® induced major improvements in reproduction parameters, in the piglet performance during the suckling phase as well as impressive improvements in pig heath status and growth for their life span.
Recent Developments In Genetic Improvement Of Pigs
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Computer modeling for quantitative genetics has improved selection for traits such as growth rate, back fat, disease resistance, and meat quality. Today genetics are used in closed high health status herds to improve characteristics of the pigs (such as growth, feed conversion, and back fat) in an attempt to differentiate the quality of one producer from another. Nucleus herds as well as commercial herds are seeing genetic improvement in both the purebred lines as well as the commercial lines. Growth, reproduction, and carcass traits are considered crossbred traits, but genetic selection of purebreds and crossbreds are essential. Genetic improvement companies have worked to improve these characteristics as well as other industry important characteristics such as sow mortality and scrotal hernia. These companies have also responded to consumer demand via customized genetics. Genome mapping in the field of molecular genetics is helping to increase gene marking and the results will be seen soon. Genome mapping will help to improve reproduction, feed intake and growth, body composition, coat colour, meat quality, and disease resistance, as well as reduce negative effects such as “acid meatâ€. One challenge geneticists are attempting to tackle is genetic relationship to immunological traits and disease resistance. Particular focus is being given to PRRS, Haemophilus parasuis, and Salmonellosis.
Feeding Wheat DDGS to Growing-Finishing Pigs
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There is increasing interest in producing ethanol from cereal grains for use in motor fuels. Ethanol-blended fuels offer several advantages over regular gasoline including protection from gas line freezing, higher octane ratings and the potential to reduce motor vehicle greenhouse gas emissions. To produce ethanol, grain is milled, mixed with water and cooked. Enzymes are added to the mixture to convert starch to sugar and the sugar is fermented by the addition of yeast. After complete fermentation, the ethanol is removed by distillation and the remaining fermentation residues are dried and used for livestock feed. In Western Canada, wheat is the most common substrate used to produce ethanol. It is expected that the increase in ethanol production from wheat will lead to substantial quantities of wheat distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) being made available to the Western Canadian Livestock Industry. If swine producers are to use these products effectively, it is essential that their nutritional value be accurately assessed. The principle concerns in feeding wheat DDGS are its high fibre content which lowers the digestible energy content of the product and its low dietary lysine content which inevitably means that synthetic lysine must be added in order to provide a balanced amino acid profile. A feeding trial at the University of Saskatchewan confirmed that wheat DDGS should be limited to 5-10% of the diet during the growing period. However, it can completely replace soybean meal during the finishing period without detrimental effects on pig performance. Care should also be taken to properly balance the diets for all limiting amino acids.
CFIA Trucking Regulations
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As part of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s Animal Health Program, the transportation of animals is regulated to prevent undue pain or suffering in animals. However, the current regulations were created in the 1970s and lack current context. Long distance transport of animals has become more common, the science regarding animal physiology, welfare and health has evolved making certain current requirements inadequate, and the regulations insufficiently address the needs of all species. The concern for the welfare of animals and the belief that all animals, not just food animals, should be protected from suffering reflects the shared views of the industry and the public. Modernization of regulations will ensure that Canada keeps pace with international standards as well. The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) has now established standards for the transportation of animals by land and sea. Canadian regulations are consistent with OIE standards; however, some areas of the Canadian regulations need improvement such as those pertaining to feed / water / rest intervals and loading density. An advance notification to all Canadians was published, in April 2006, inviting comments on the existing regulations and areas that are being considered for modification before a proposal is drafted and published in the Canada Gazette, Part I. Most of the areas that the CFIA had identified as being in need of modernization were similar to those of the respondents. These topics included updated definitions, sea transport, compromised animals and consistency in enforcement. The most contentious issue was re-defining the time periods that animals – notably food animals – can be transported without feed, water and rest As result of comments received, the CFIA is modifying the regulatory amendment to convert the prescriptive food water and rest intervals to outcome-based standards. Certain challenges to good transportation practices must be addressed, regardless of whether the current regulations or the proposed amendments are in force. CFIA inspection records show that even the minimum standards set out in the current regulations are regularly contravened. Per fiscal year, CFIA issues approximately 200 administrative penalties, with or without fines, for transportation-related contraventions. Another challenge that the industry is facing includes the use of very large transport vehicles and stressed hogs. The use of these large multilevel transports creates a twofold problem. It forces the hogs to navigate several ramps that often exceed the recommended angles for the species, resulting in increased animal injuries and stress. Secondly, it is difficult and unsafe for handlers to get into the pens on the trailer (for lack of head room) and consequently hogs end up being unloaded with electric prodding from “outside” the trailer. The resulting proposed regulations are based on clear and concise directions, which allow the regulated parties the flexibility to adapt to changing conditions and new technologies. A balance of performance based, goal based and prescriptive regulatory elements should allow for flexibility, good judgment and experience to achieve desirable transportation outcomes. The Canadian Pork Council (CPC) is commended for taking a lead role in promoting national animal welfare expectations that are monitored from within industry. The CFIA encourages the industry to lead animal welfare initiatives. Challenges will continue to be encountered and the CFIA wants to continue working in collaboration with the Canadian pork industry to achieve the shared goals of improved animal welfare.
The mystery of the disappearing loin – is disease the culprit?
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Loin depth is one of the key characteristics that pork producers strive to increase because they are paid a premium for pigs with larger loins. So why has the average loin depth across the province dropped dramatically since the first quarter of 2005?
It’s a complicated issue, but perhaps the most likely culprit is disease.
Ontario pork producers have been battling several serious diseases over the past few years, including PRRS and circovirus. While the most obvious effects have been on increased mortality and morbidity rates and an increase in medication costs, the higher incidence of disease may also be having an effect on carcass characteristics.
Chris Hills works for Wallenstein Feed and Supply Ltd. He helps his customers analyze market hog data using Ontario Pork’s Online Information Network Knowledgebase (OINK). He often looks at the data and suggests to producers how marketing might be done differently to help them take advantage of premiums offered by the packers.
One of his clients came to him with a concern that the loin eye area of his hogs seemed to be decreasing steadily over time. Loin eye is a measurement of the meat in a pig’s back that makes up the pork chop and one of the key factors that those in the industry strive to maximize.
Hills took a look and discovered that the loin eye area of his producer’s stock was indeed declining. There had been eight turns through this particular barn over the span of about three years that seemed to show a steady decline. The market weight of the animals was not significantly different, but the average loin eye size had dropped from a high of 64.7 millimetres to 57.6 millimetres on the last group. “That’s huge!” says Hills.
The producer had changed genetics, but had switched to a line about three years ago which should have improved carcass quality. Hills contacted the genetics supplier and got recommendations for feed, but it has not made a difference. The producer has several other barns that are not using Wallenstein feed and they are all experiencing the same drop in loin eye area.
Hills was curious and raised the question among colleagues in the industry. He discovered that his producer was not alone and that data from Ontario Pork revealed that there had been a steady decline in loin eye area for all pigs marketed across Ontario since the first quarter of 2005.
In the same quarter of 2000, the average loin depth of pigs marketed in Ontario was 56.61 millimetres. It has increased every quarter until the first quarter of 2005, to a high of 63.17 millimetres, at which point it started to fall and has dropped each quarter since then to a low of 60.26 in 2006 (see chart 1). This is significant because it is not about one producer or one month. It is a measurement of all the pigs marketed in the province over the span of many months.