A dispersion modelling approach to determining the odour impact of intensive pig production units in Ireland

Posted in: Environment by admin on January 1, 2004 | No Comments

Forage Yield and Nutrient Uptake of Warm-Season Annual Grasses in a Swine Effluent Spray Field

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Residual effects of pig slurry applied to a Mediterranean soil on yield and N uptake of a subsequent wheat crop

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Greenhouse gas emission from NAP-covered earthen manure storage basin

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The objective of a negative air pressure (NAP) cover in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from an earthen manure storage basin (EMB). GHG emissions were measured from the same EMB when it was uncovered and covered with chopped straw in 2001, 2002 and 2003, and compared with the emissions from the NAP-covered EMB in 2004. The 2.cell EMB was located at the 600 sow farrow-to-finish operation of PSC Elstow research Farm Inc. near Elstow, Saskatchewan.

Mitigating the Compliance Cost of a Phosphorus-Based Swine Manure Management Strategy

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Regulatory changes by federal and state agencies portend a switch from nitrogen based livestock manure disposal policies to phosphorus-based policies. This paper estimates the compliance costs of such a policy change for a hypothetical hog-grain farm in North-Central Indiana. The farm includes 1,500 acres of cropland and has the capacity to raise 11,970 grow-finish hogs annually. The farm model also has the potential to produce four different crops on six different land types. A nonlinear math-programming model was developed to determine the optimal mix of management activities for a phosphorus-based regulation. The model allows mitigation of compliance costs via the choice between four different pig diets, three alternative methods of manure disposal, changes in timing of manure application, and crop pattern adjustments. This analysis includes that the new regulation will result in a decrease in whole-farm returns above variable costs, the use of phytase enzyme in pig diets, and an increase in wheat acreage. The model also reveals that it is optimal for the farmer to hire a custom hauler to assist in application of manure in an effort to reduce the degree to which available field days constrain farming activities and land application of manure. The estimate cost to the farmer, as a result of the policy change, ranges between $0.56 and $21.74 per unit of pig production capacity.

Associations between lying-down behaviour problems and body condition, limb disorders and skin lesions of lactating sows housed in farrowing crates in commercial sow herds.

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As the occurrence of group housing of dry sows increases, a concern that arises is that these sows may develop problems when they are confined farrowing environment. This study assessed the welfare of group housed gestating sows during the confinement of farrowing by investigating the prevalence of limb disorders, injuries, impact of body condition and the variation in the methdodolgy in lying-down behaviour. The assessments took place in 10 commercial herds. Forty-one percent of the sows observed demonstrated some form of difficultly lying down. Slipping was linked with difficulty lying-down, which was associated with lesions on the hind feet. Larger (fat) sows took more steps with their hind legs when attempting to lie down, while overgrown hooves was associated with abnormal behaviours when lying down. Skin lesions were found the most frequently on the lateral hind feet and shoulders. Fifteen percent of the sows observed were lame and lameness was associated with a numerous factors. Lameness was associated with an increase in the number of lesions found on the hock and hind feet. Lameness was also related to the occurrence of uncontrolled movements when trying to lie down. Thus, there may be a few key indicators that can be used to indicate the overall welfare of sows in the farrowing environment when they are group housed during gestation.

The effects of different beak trimming techniques on plasma corticosterone and performance criteria in single comb white leghorn hens.

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Chicks were either beak trimmed at 6 days of age with a 2.8 mm gauge, or at 11 weeks of age with a block cut approximately 2 mm anterior to the nasal openings. Two hours after beak trimming at 6 days of age, corticosterone levels were higher than they were prior to beak trimming. Body weight and feed consumption were depressed until 8 weeks of age. Beak trimming at 11 weeks of age caused an increase in corticosterone concentration compared to controls, and feed consumption and body weight decreased. Feed consumption at 72 weeks of age for non-trimmed birds was greater than both beak trimmed treatments. Whereas, the beak trimmed birds resulted in better egg income, feed cost per hen, and net income. Both beak trimmed birds had better feather scores and less fearfulness. The results of this study suggest that the birds adjusted to beak trimming and had better performance than non-beak trimmed birds.

Assessing attitudes toward farm animal welfare: A national survey of animal science faculty members

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In order to assess the attitudes about farm animal welfare, a survey was developed and given to animal science faculty members in the United States. The survey was initially developed and tested using 34 faculty members from a Midwestern public university. The questionnaire was then sent to animal science faculty across the United States. The response rate was 45 % with 446 respondents. The following percentage of respondents agreed that the most popular methods of raising livestock provide adequate levels of animal welfare: layer birds (51%), meat birds (58%), swine (66%), dairy (84%), sheep (86%), and beef (87%). More than 90% of respondents agreed with general principles of animal welfare and that unnecessary fear and distress should be avoided. However, only 32% of the respondents were concerned with the distress that some routine husbandry procedures cause (e.g., castration without anesthetic). Level of concern was assessed with regards to various industry practices/outcomes. For example, 83% of respondents are concerned about flooring in intensive housing and agreed that it affects lameness; whereas only 16% were concerned about early weaning pigs. Gender and political ideology were significantly related to attitudes scores. Women with more liberal political views were more concerned about animal welfare. With more information about attitudes towards farm animal welfare from various stakeholders (animal scientists, veterinarians, producers and consumers), animal welfare scientists will gain insight into areas where more research is required and where gaps exist in accessibility of knowledge.

The impact of applied ethologists and the International Society for Applied Ethology in improving animal welfare

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Understanding and improving animal welfare has been a focus for applied ethologists since the International Society for Applied Ethology (ISAE) was founded 35 years ago. Even though there have been changes in the living conditions for farm and laboratory animals, the rate of progress seems slow. Advances in animal welfare seem to be more likely if the issues are of public concern, if there are economic advantages, and when networks exist to aid in the transfer of information and to organize relationships between commercial and legislative sectors. The development of animal welfare science and animal ethics as academic disciplines has also been a slow process. Applied ethologists have been leaders in this pursuit. The subjective experiences of animals have been the focus of both applied and fundamental research. The advancement of animal welfare science needs to be a collaborative approach. However, the advancement of animal welfare science needs to go beyond the applied ethologists and become more of a collaborative approach. The ISAE is composed of experts in animal behaviour. Members of the society provide advice on animal welfare issues for policy makers, retailers, commodity groups, etc. The membership of the ISAE is expanding and becoming more diverse, which provides great opportunities for more influence on animal welfare issues. One of the society’s goals should be to increase its profile and develop materials and regionally based pools of experts that are more available to those in need. The development of scientific reports that have international input could also aid in debates about animal welfare. Members of the ISAE are likely to continue contributing to animal welfare science research.

Annual Meeting Keynote Address: Animal agriculture and emerging social ethics for animals

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Within the past 30 years, the treatment of animals in various areas of human use has emerged as a new social ethical issue. Society’s moral concern has outgrown the traditional ethic of animal cruelty that began in biblical times and is law in civilized societies. There are five main factors, which have caused the emergence of this new social concern. Most importantly, is the emergence of industrial agriculture, which has replaced husbandry-based agriculture. The rise of industrial agriculture has threatened the contract between humans and animals and has resulted in an increase in animal suffering. The existing laws against animal cruelty do not cover the routine suffering that food animals must endure. Therefore, in order to express social concerns regarding animals, a new ethic for animals was required. The ethic for humans has been used as an example for the development of the ethic for animals. The development of laws that ensure the rights of animals has surfaced as a possible vehicle for reform. Otherwise, traditional methods of animal husbandry should return in order to correct the problems created by industrialization.