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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:
COMPARISON OF ODOR DISPERSION PREDICTIONS BETWEEN CFD AND CALPUFF MODELS
Posted in: Environment by admin on January 1, 2006 | No Comments
Plume-in-grid modeling for particulate matter
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Bioactive Compounds in Swine Manure
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Composted swine manure was examined for the presence of antibacterial
and antifungal activities. While commercial composts show some antibacterial
activity composted swine manure demonstrated inhibitory activity against Gram-positive
bacteria and fungi. Weaker inhibitory activity against Gram-negative
bacteria was also detected in composted swine manure. It is likely that these
antimicrobial activities are due to compounds produced by bacteria or fungi
present in the composted swine manure. An antifungal compound of possible
commercial and agricultural significance is present in composted swine manure.
Antibacterial agents of the same significance are also present.
Auto-sorting Technology Receives International Focus
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Saskatoon – How many pigs does it take to make a pen? This question is the focus of a workshop held at the Prairie Swine Center Focus on The Future Conference, March 27 & 28 in Saskatoon.
“This workshop is designed to bring together experienced operators to discuss and demonstrate through their operation some of the key factors that determine the success, including pig training, personnel training, equipment selection, and barn design” notes Dr. Harold Gonyou, Research Scientist with Prairie Swine Centre.
Lee Whittington, Manager of Information Services at Prairie Swine Centre points out the considerable experience of the speakers on the program, “We will have two farms discussing their systems, with Cliff Her of Humboldt, Saskatchewan, and Don Huftalin of Malta, Illinois. Mr. Her is the grow-finish production manager with Big Sky Farms, and has constructed 45,000 large groups housing spaces with auto-sort technology. Mr. Huftalin and his family operate a 2000 sow farrow to finish farm, using 18 auto-sorters spread over two states, with internet links allowing management of the barns and auto-sorting equipment from the home farm”
“This technology offers opportunities as well as some significant challenges to farm operators” notes Dr. Gonyou, “By having this discussion we are in a position to assist farms in making wise choices for incorporating new technology based on experience as well as recent research, it also gives the industry an excellent opportunity to help develop plans for future research in this area.”
Registration for the conference can be made by phone 306-373-9922, fax 306-955-2510, or email ken.Engele@usask.ca
Prairie Swine Centre Inc., located in Saskatoon, is a non-profit research corporation affiliated with the University of Saskatchewan, and is recognized globally for its contributions to practical, applied science in pork production in the disciplines of Nutrition, Engineering and Animal Behaviour.
Effect of Ractopamine in Finishing Swine Diets – Economics
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SUMMARY
Pigs were fed a control diet, or that diet supplemented with 5 ppm ractopamine for an average of 27 days. Ractopamine improved growth and feed conversion, decreased backfat and improved loin thickness. The economic benefit accruing from the use of ractopamine will depend on market prices, grading grids and the current farm’s carcass quality. Based on our experiment we estimate a “typical” return in the range of $2 to $3 per pig sold.
INTRODUCTION
Paylean® is a feed additive that was recently registered in Canada. The active ingredient of Paylean® is ractopamine, a beta-adrenergic agonist known to stimulate muscle growth and inhibit lipid growth. The final decision to use Paylean® will depend on the relative economics. Similar to other feed additives, there is a cost to using this product. Apart from the cost of the product there are costs associated with the additional nutrients and management required to exploit the performance expected with Paylean®.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Approximately 530 animals were assigned to receive either a control or a diet supplemented with Paylean® to supply 5 mg/kg ractopamine (RAC). This was to provide an average of 28 days on Paylean® prior to slaughter.
All animals were fed a diet comparable to the barn’s normal gilt finisher, The experiment consisted of two treatments: control or 0.25% Paylean®, equivalent to 5 ppm ractopamine (RAC). Except for total lysine which was increased to 1.00 % and the 5 ppm ractopamine; the Paylean®-fed pigs were fed a diet formulated to the same specification as the controls.
All pigs were shipped to Mitchell’s Gourmet Foods in Saskatoon. Shipping occurred once per week. Pigs were shipped at 116 kg. Market weights were recorded on the morning prior to marketing. The room was completely emptied on week 14 of the growout period (week 6 of the experiment) as per normal barn procedure. Pigs not attaining 116 kg after 14 wk of growout are classified as tail-enders.
Carcass weight, backfat and loin thickness, estimated lean yield, carcass index and carcass loin premiums were recorded at the packing plant according to Mitchell’s standard grid.
Because the economic impact of using ractopamine is dependent on individual farm circumstances, the calculations used different scenarios. We assumed a market price of $1.40 kg and a net market value of $149.00. Other assumptions are described under the appropriate table.
RESULTS and DISCUSSION
Table 1 shows the performance and carcass parameters, which influence the economics of pork production. Additionally, the feed costs, associated with the use of ractopamine are described.
Based on our data, the use of RAC would permit the close-out of a room or barn approximately one week earlier. Assuming that pigs are available to refill that room one week earlier, the net return per pig place would increase by almost $5.00 per year (Table 2). Alternatively, the number of tail-end pigs could be reduced. Reducing the proportion of tail-end pigs from 7.5 % to 0.75 % would increase gross income by about $2.17 per pig sold in a $1.40 /kg market and assuming the tail-end pigs weigh an average of 81 kg, have an average index of 101.9 and receive a loin bonus of $1.86,
If producers are operating under a grading system that does not penalize heavier carcasses, the increase in growth rate could be converted directly into heavier pigs sold (rather than pigs of the same weight sold earlier). Using the growth data obtained from our experiment, and accounting for the additional feed required the return over feed cost would be an additional $3.94 per pig sold (Table 3).
RAC decreased back fat thickness by 1 mm and increased loin thickness by 2.5 mm. In gilts, where backfat was unchanged and loin thickness increased by 2.4 mm, carcass index actually declined by 0.3. In barrows, backfat was reduced by 1.8 mm and loin thickness increased by 2.6 mm, carcass index actually increased by 1.6. Based on the results of our experiment, this increase in carcass index would increase grow income per pig by only $0.80 in a $1.40/kg market.
The increase in loin thickness observed as a consequence of using RAC would increase loin premiums on most farms. However, in our experiment, the control pigs already had a loin thickness of 68.3 mm, and loin premiums dropped from $3.50 to 0.50 when loins exceeded 70 mm.. However, if average loin thickness is 62.8 mm (Mitchell’s Gourmet Foods, personal communication) and assuming a standard deviation of 6.8 mm (PSC Elstow Research Farm, unpublished) RAC would decrease loin premiums from $2.56 to $2.46 (Table 4). A change in loin premiums would dramatically alter this scenario.
CONCLUSION
The actual benefit accruing from the use of RAC will depend on individual farm circumstances. However, based on our data, the “typical” farm will see a return of $2 to $3 per pig sold. Transit losses must be controlled.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Strategic funding provided by Sask Pork, Alberta Pork, Manitoba Pork Council and Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food Development Fund. Specific funding for this project from Elanco Animal Health is gratefully acknowledged.
Grower/Finisher Room: Large Group Pens: Making them Work
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As pig production continued to increase in the past, the need for regrouping pigs to maximize space efficiency became necessary. Studies show that the larger the group of pigs, the less fighting that occurs. This will lead to better carcass quality. An initial reduction in growth rate in large pens should not be worried about because it will balance out at the end. A shift in the dunging area should not be confused with poor ventilation. Health checking in large pens involves getting in amongst the pigs and walking in a set pattern to observe. Weighing and sorting can be a challenge, which is why some producers elect to weigh and sort in small groups at a time and/or in a designated area. Auto sort systems have the potential to be efficient but reports have been variable. There should be adequate feeder space for the stage of production required and the pig’s first trip through the feeder should be pleasant and stress-free. With good management practices auto sort feeders can be very good for successful sorting and weighing of large groups of pigs.