Solid Manure Handling and Application Systems

Posted in: Environment by admin on January 1, 2003 | No Comments

Annual Report

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Evaluation and demonstration of composting as an option for dead animal management in Saskatchewan

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CHARACTERISTICS OF PHOTOTROPHIC AND NON–PHOTOTROPHIC LAGOONS FOR SWINE MANURE

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Denitrification in Constructed Wetlands Used for Treatment of Swine Wastewater

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Reduction of High Soil Test Phosphorus by Corn and Soybean Varieties

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Top 10 cost cutters and revenue generators

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

Many producers may already be implementing changes and new ideas to lower costs and increase revenues. In many cases, this is the key to success in maintaining an operational pork production system. This article looks at 13 ideas focused on changes that can be implemented and monitored easily and inexpensively. For example, ideal feed formulation is dependant on animal weight and performance, as well as the cost of ingredients. If diets have not been updated recently, ingredient prices will likely have changed and may be costing the producer more than is required. Effects of these changes have been calculated in terms of dollars/pig marketed.

Variation in pig performance: Can we do anything about it?

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

Variation in the hog barn is becoming an increasing topic of interest in the pork industry. Variation within the barn is a cost to the producer as it reduces barn utilization and causes a loss of revenue market. Variation can be the result of many causes, but most often fits into the categories of genetics or environment. Birth weights, weaning weight, litter of origin, gender and the parity of the dam all genetically affect the individual pig. Ideally, negative environmental impacts would all be eliminated. However, this is not usually the case. The producers goal should be to minimize negative environmental impacts by ensuring access to resources such as feed and water and minimizing exposure to pathogens. Statistically, variation can be defined in many ways. Most commonly, variation is measured as the standard deviation or coefficient of variation. The more dispersed the weights of the pigs, the larger the standard deviation. Certain management practises can be employed to reduce variation; however, this depends on the existing coefficient of variation. One suggestion to manage variation is to house barrows and gilts separately since barrows tend to eat more feed than gilts and reach market weight 5-7 days sooner.

The influence of adverse or gentle handling procedures on sexual behaviour in fearful and confident sows.

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This experiment examined if sows’ fearfulness of humans can inhibit sexual behaviour when humans are or are not present. Also, the effects that adverse versus gentle handling may have on the sexual behaviour of sows was examined. During the third week of lactation forty-eight sows were classified as confident or fearful of humans based on a forced three-step human approach. Six days prior to weaning and until the termination of oestrus, sows were either handled adversely or gently twice daily. At weaning, a human approach test was conducted in the sows’ home pen and in a novel arena. Three days after weaning until the end of oestrus a T-maze test was conducted to examine proceptive behaviour with and without the handler being present. The sows were monitored for standing heat during the T-maze test, in her home stall and trans-rectal ultrasonogram was conducted to ensure ovulation did take place. Whether the sow was confident, fearful, gently or adversely handled, all sows came into heat. In the human approach test, regardless of whether the sow was fearful or confident, adverse handling made the sows more fearful of humans. There was a tendency for fearful sows adversely handled to be more fearful of humans than a confident sow adversely handled. In the T-test conducted before the onset of oestrus, adversely handled sows spent less time standing near the boar pen when the handler was present. The presence of the handler had a similar effect on fearful sows. The opposite reaction to the handler was seen in gently handled or confident sows. During oestrus, fearful adversely handled sows spent significantly less time standing near the boar pen when the handler was present. All other sows spent similar amounts of time close to the boar pen regardless of whether the handler was present or not. This illustrates that fearful sows handled gently can overcome their fear of humans during oestrus.

Decreasing aggression with increasing group size in young domestic fowl.

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The overall objective of this study was to look at the social strategy of domestic fowl living in larger groups use in commercial production systems. The aggressive behaviour of white leghorn female chickens was observed in groups of 15, 30, 60 and 120 in 3, 6, 12 and 24m2 at a constant density of 5 birds/m2. Focal observations of 12 birds per group were carried out from 3 to 18 weeks of age. At all group sizes, aggressive pecking peaked between 6 and 12 weeks and then declined. Regression analysis on means across all ages showed a linear reduction in the frequency of pecks and threats given per focal bird with increasing group size. However, the frequency of pecks and threats received per focal bird showed the opposite pattern, being higher in larger than smaller groups. There was evidence that birds’ to adapt different social strategies with increasing group size. It could be speculated that, while the majority of birds may adapt a tolerant strategy in larger groups, a minority may be despotic, directing aggression indiscriminately towards other birds.