SEARCH
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:
New Applications for Health and Innovation in Veterinary Medicine
Posted in: Welfare by admin on January 1, 2006 | No Comments
Throughout the history of livestock production, infectious diseases have been a problem. One of the greatest impediments to the economics of livestock production today is the loss due to infectious disease. In addition to the current endemic diseases that plague livestock production, the emergence of new diseases or re-emergence of diseases to which populations are totally susceptible is especially worrisome. In the last 30 years, there have been approximately 30 newly emerged or re-emerged diseases, many of which can infect multiple species. There is clearly a need for novel, more effective control and treatment methods to ensure the viability of the livestock industry. Currently, the 3 available methods to control infectious disease include antimicrobials, vaccines, and immunomodulators. Recent advantages in our understanding of the interactions between disease causing organisms and the host, combined with techniques to identify protective antigens are providing novel approaches to developing more effective vaccines. Furthermore, by combining methods to stimulate the host’s own defences (innate immune responses), we can induce early protection from a broad-spectrum of infections, in the case of accidental introduction of a disease. These approaches should reduce animal suffering and add significant economic benefits to the producers, as well as improve food safety for the consumer
Silencing of natural interferon producing cell activation by porcine circovirus type 2 DNA
Posted in: Welfare by admin on | No Comments
Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) infection of natural interferon producing
cells (NIPCs) impairs the induction of interferon (IFN)-a and
tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-a by cytosine-phosphorothioate-guanine
(CpG) oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs), thereby preventing both their autocrine
maturation and the paracrine maturation of myeloid dendritic cells
(DCs). The present study shows that the PCV2-mediated inhibition of
NIPCs was mediated by viral DNA, although it was independent of virus
replication. The inhibitory effect of PCV2 DNA was more diversified than
if it had simply targeted CpG-ODN-induced cytokines (IFN-a, TNF-a,
interleukin-6, IL-12). A broad spectrum inhibition was noted, affecting
responses induced by toll-like receptor (TLR)-7 and TLR9 agonists, as
well as viruses including pseudorabies virus, transmissible gastroenteritis
virus and classical swine fever virus. From these results, it would appear
that PCV2 DNA can induce a dominant negative signal influencing independent
pattern recognition receptor-induced activation cascades. Despite
a concomitant internalization of PCV2 DNA and CpG-ODNs, no colocalization
was observed, indicating that PCV2 DNA and CPG-ODNs may not
target the same receptor. This study describes a novel modulation of the
innate immune response, which would render the host more susceptible
to secondary or concomitant microbial infections.
Comparison of scratching behaviour of growing pigs with sarcoptic mange before and after treatment, employing two distinct approaches
Posted in: Welfare by admin on | No Comments
Sarcoptic mange in pig breeding and finishing farms is a major economic problem. The economic losses by mange are caused by the costs of treatment and damage to piggery fixtures through permanent rubbing, reduced feed conversion efficiency, increased return rates, and piglet mortalities (Davies, 1995). Horst (2004) estimated that the loss due to reduced feed conversion efficacy and increased piglet mortalities at €66 per mangy sow and year. Kirchner (1998) reported a mortality of 11.5% in piglet as a consequence of frequent unrest (pruritus) in untreated mangy sows, in contrast to 3.7% in treated sows. Damriyasa et al. (2004) examined 11 breeding farms with a total of 2754 sows and estimated the mean economic loss due to Sarcoptes scabiei infestation at €4200 per affected farm and year. Based on these economic losses and the animal welfare issues, there is a need to eradicate and prevent sarcoptic mange and to establish mange-free pig farms. To achieve a mange-free status and certification a reliable management and control program, and sensitive and specific diagnostic methods are required as complementary tools. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), skin scraping, clinical score, papular dermatitis score and scratching index are tools with differing specificities and sensitivities. Of these, the scratching index using different limiting values is often used and has been recommended by various authors as an additional method for the diagnosis of sarcoptic mange. The aim of the present study was to observe the scratching behaviour of growing pigs suffering from sarcoptic mange in a closed herd before and after treatment, to calculate scratching indices using different methods and to critically evaluate the results obtained employing recommended limiting values. In a closed pig breeding and finishing herd suffering from sarcoptic mange, two selected groups of pigs were filmed during a period of 10 days before and after treatment. The observation always commenced each hour and lasted for 15 min. Before treatment, observations was done round the clock, after treatment from 8:00 to 22:15. Before treatment the pens were stocked with 11 (pen A) and 10 (pen B) growing pigs (Large White x Landrace sows; 5 months old) with an average weight of ~70 kg examined for sarcoptic mange by skin scrapings and ELISA. The animals had never been treated with an acaricide or endectocide before. After 10 days, the pigs were treated twice (18 days interval) with Dectomax® 1% solution for pigs (Pfizer, Austria) at a dose of 0.3 mg Doramectin i.m./kg body weight. After treatment, seven pigs were observed in both pens. Most scratching actions both before (83.1%) and after (94.5%) treatment were of one to 10s. After treatment, the 10s scratching episodes decreased by 67.3% (from 21.2 to 6.9 mean SRE/pig), and the scratching actions of longer than 10s by 91.7% (from 4.3 to 0.4 mean SRE/pig), such that the latter could be observed only occasionally after treatment. A distinct increase in scratching activity both before and after treatment could be observed primarily between 10:00 and 15:00. Significant differences of scratching and rubbing activity between before and after treatment could also be seen at midday. Depending on the methods used and the limiting values set, 6.7–34.6% of the observations before and 2.0–17.3% of the observations after treatment revealed a ‘‘strong evidence of mange’’ or a ‘‘suspicion of mange’’. All other observations indicated that the pigs were free from mange.
Measuring Performance and Maximizing Throughput In the Finish Phase
Posted in: Production by admin on | No Comments
Techniques of the Hanor Company are discussed in regard to monitoring key production indicators of the finisher barn. Information keeping is important in 6 key areas: 1) Daily/Weekly Reporting (death loss, inventory, etc.); 2) Close-out reporting (growth, death loss, feed conversion, etc.); 3) Top Hog Marketed Index; 4) Market Result Report; 5) Feed; 6) Finances.
China – Pork Powerhouse of the World
Posted in: Production by admin on | No Comments
In recent years, live pig and pork production and pork consumption have been undergoing dramatic changes in China. As the biggest pig and pork producing country in the world, all these changes will not only influence the pig and pork industry in China, but will also affect international feed and pork trading countries. An overview of the current status and challenges faced by China will help the world understand the past, present and future trends in the Chinese pig industry. This information may also enable countries and companies to adjust pork production policies to suit the future international market economy in pork. China has an abundance of labour but is running out of land and resources. There is a lower pork price but high cost for major agriculture products. As a pork powerhouse, China will influence all aspects of the world pig industry such as labour, feed ingredient trading, food processing, pork trading, live pig trading, equipment and technology transfer. More strict measures are required to limit small-scale operations to improve meat safety and international competition. China can be expected to continue its role as a pork powerhouse of the world. The present pattern of increases in productivity, lean yield and carcass weight will continue. Rather than becoming a new export market for existing pork producing countries, China will probably become a major international competitor in the pork export market.
GO TO THE MASTERS WITH GROW-FINISH F:G AND ADG
Posted in: Production by admin on | No Comments
Factors that Affect GF Performance are health, genetics, nutrition (energy, dietary lysine level), feeder pig weight, barn design and gender. Economic summary assumes the following: total grow-finish cost = $55 / pig; facility cost = $0.10 / pig / day; feed cost = $120 / ton (unless given); deathloss cost = $75 / pig; and additional live weight = $45 / cwt.
Affectation 1 (g) – Conseils, commissions et législation
Posted in: Production by admin on | No Comments
Le Centre de compétence sur les conseils, les commissions et la législation appuie les organismes suivants :
• le Conseil manitobain de commercialisation des produits agricoles,
• la Commission manitobaine des machines agricoles,
• la Commission de protection des pratiques agricoles du Manitoba,
• l’Office de la propriété agricole du Manitoba,
• la Commission manitobaine du contrôle du prix du lait,
• le Bureau d’accréditation des organismes de producteurs agricoles,
• la Commission de médiation agricole du Manitoba,
• la Commission hippique du Manitoba.
Le Centre de compétence sur les conseils, les commissions et la législation examine et modifie la législation actuelle et présente de nouveaux projets de lois et de règlements. En outre, le Centre de compétence aide les producteurs et leur permet d’accroître leurs revenus :
en fournissant des services de médiation,
en fixant les prix des produits,
en fournissant un mécanisme de financement des activités de recherche et de promotion,
en réglementant la production et la commercialisation de certaines matières premières agricoles.
Le Centre de compétence s’efforce d’appuyer les producteurs en ce qui a trait à la gestion et à la mise en oeuvre de pratiques agricoles acceptables ainsi qu’à l’adoption de normes de sécurité à la ferme dans certains régimes de commercialisation.