The dose response to phytase inclusion in diets from growing swine

Posted in: Prairie Swine Centre by admin on January 1, 2003 | No Comments

A study was conducted to define growth response of growing pigs to four levels of a unique, new, phytase enzyme and to determine how critical the Ca: available P ratio is to optimizing the utilization of the phytase enzyme in practical swine diets. Eighteen different diets were used (5 levels of phytase plus a positive control, at 3 different Ca:P ratios) for a 28-day growth and digestibility experiment. Neither performance (ADG, ADFI, feed conversion) nor P digestibility was affected by the Ca concentration in the diet. This result was unexpected and will require more research in the future. The improvement in ADG, ADFI and feed conversion with the inclusion of phytase reached a plateau at 250 U/kg inclusion rate. Phosphorus digestibility was improved in a linear manner with each incremental increase in phytase addition. The inclusion of 250 U/kg phytase in the diet reduced the amount of total phosphorus excreted in manure and increased phosphorus digestibility.

Relation between early fear- and anxiety-related behaviour and maternal ability in sows.

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This study tested the hypothesis that sows that were less fearful of humans and novel objects at 8 weeks of age would have better mothering abilities which would result in higher reproductive success. Eight-nine gilts were tested in a human approach test and in a novel object approach test. Of the 89 sows tested, only 30 were bred and their subsequent farrowing productivity was recorded. To determine the effect fear and anxiety would have on gilt productivity the following parameters were monitored at farrowing: the duration of farrowing, time interval between piglets birth, the number of times the sows lied on top of or crushed a piglet while she was farrowing, the number of liveborn, stillborn piglets and piglets deaths after birth until weaning. Increased fear of humans (‘fear’) was associated with longer farrowing durations, larger differences in the time interval between the birth of piglets. As the length of time for a sow to farrow her litter increased, there was an increase in the number of piglet deaths prior to weaning. Gilts that were more fearful of humans also had more stillborn piglets and more piglets die prior to weaning. Fear of a novel object (‘anxiety’) was also associated with a higher number of stillborn piglets. It was concluded that fear of humans in reproductive animals could potentially lead to a decrease in productivity.

The effects of surface type on lying behaviour and stress responses of dairy cows during periodic weather-induced removal from pasture.

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Since cows are often moved off a pasture during wet weather, four alternative surfaces were examined in terms of cow lying behaviour, body weight, dirtiness, locomotion, and fecal concentrations of stress-induced hormones. Thirty-two non-lactating Friesian cows housed in groups of four on either a specially constructed wood chip pad, a concrete yard, a gravel-surfaced farm laneway or a small paddock. The cows resided there for 4 days, except for the 3 hour period in which they spent grazing at pasture. The farm laneway and the paddock became very muddy during the experiment. Cows on the wood chip pad spent the greatest amount of time lying down. The effects were the result of the frequency of lying bouts rather than the lying duration. Cows in the other treatments compensated by lying in the pasture more during the 3 hour pasture period. The cows housed in the concrete yards had lower body weights and higher fecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations at the end of the 4 day period than cows on the wood chip pad and in the small paddock. Cows that had been housed in the concrete yard had reduced stride lengths when they walked at the end of the 4 day period than cows housed in the farm laneway or small paddock. The cows on the wood chip pad were the least dirty. The results of this study showed that it is important to provide cows with a well drained and comfortable surface to lie on during periodic weather-induced removal from pasture.

Mammary expression of new genes to combat mastitis.

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By combining genes from different organisms, via recombinant DNA techniques, transgenic animals have been developed. Whether this costly technology becomes used in mainstream agriculture will depend on capability establishing new traits in animals that cannot be incorporated by any easy method. Some potential benefits to the livestock industry by using transgenic animals are: more efficient nutrient usage as fewer nutrients will be lost in the feces, altered milk composition that provides all desired nutritional components, and improved immunity to disease. This study is attempting to reduce mastitis in dairy cows by manipulating the mammary gland cells to secrete more antibacterial proteins. This has already been achieved in mice, as they secreted higher levels of the protein lysostaphin in their milk. When this protein is secreted with the milk it improves the mouse’s resistance to Staphylococcus aureus, which is a major cause of mastitis in dairy cows. Currently other antibacterial proteins are that can work complementary to lysostaphin are being sought after. The benefits of having the antibacterial proteins in the milk, is that it will reduce the use of antibiotics currently used to treat mastitis. Injecting or ingesting the antibacterial proteins has proven to be ineffective, as the body’s immune system will destroy them because they are a foreign protein or they are broke down during digestion. However, if the animal produces the protein itself it prevents the immune system from breaking down the protein. Research is also underway to try to limit lysostaphin production to only when it is needed, during an infection with mastitis. The incorporation of transgenic animals into the agricultural industry could be very beneficial but before they are incorporated the DNA used and the animal that is produced from the altered DNA must be extensively studied.

Consumer perceptions: pork and pig production. Insights from France, England, Sweden and Denmark

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The aim of this study is to use focus groups to obtain insights into decision-making towards fresh pork purchase and attitudes towards today’s pig production systems using consumers from France, England, Sweden and Denmark. It was found that many positive perceptions of pork meat were evoked, such as being good value for money and always available.
Negative images of the systems of production used today were expressed, but often rationalised in terms of consumer demands, market competition and by comparisons to previous systems of production. Knowledge of production systems appeared of little consequence in terms of meat market potential as several groups freely remarked that there was no link between the negative images of production methods and their purchase behaviour. The groups were clearly confused and had a strong mistrust in the limited information at the point of meat purchase. Careful consideration should be given to the labelling, in particular, taking account of the evident consumer ethnocentrism, and assuring that this information enhances consumer confidence.

Identification of potential physiological and behavioral indicators of postoperative pain in horses after exploratory celiotomy for colic

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Learning performances in young horses using two different learning tests

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Horse’s personality, including the physical abilities of horse should be considered to achieve optimal performance in equine sports as well as in leisure. Besides temperamental aspects, like emotionality, or the horse’s reactivity towards humans in handling situations, the learning ability of the horse is another relevant personality trait. In the present study 39 young horses (Dutch Warmblood) were tested repeatedly in two learning tests to study whether differences in learning performance are consistent over time and whether individual learning performance differs between learning tests or is affected by emotionality. An aversive stimulus was used in one learning test (the avoidance learning test) and a reward was used in the other learning test (the reward learning test). During both learning tests behaviour as well as heart rate were measured. Each test was done twice when horses were 1 year of age, and twice when they were 2 years of age. In addition, half of the horses received additional physical training from 6 months onwards. In both tests horses could be classified as either performers, i.e. completing the daily session, or as non-performers, i.e. returning to the home environment without having completed the daily session. There were some indications that emotionality might have caused non-performing behaviour, but these indications are not convincing enough to exclude other causes. Horses revealed consistent individual learning performances within years in both tests, and in the avoidance learning test also between years. There was no significant correlation between learning performances in the avoidance learning test and the learning performances in the reward learning test. It is concluded that individual learning abilities are consistent over a short time interval for an avoidance learning test and a reward learning test and over a longer time for the avoidance learning test. Furthermore, results indicate that some horses perform better when they have to learn to avoid an aversive stimulus while others perform better when they are rewarded after a correct response. It is suggested that these differences may be relevant to design optimal individual training programmes and methods.

Farm Labor Legislation – How Does It Affect You?

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Government has allowed the agriculture sector more lenience in the labor department. In 2002 the Saskatchewan government imposed Labor Standards on agriculture employees. This resulted in unhappiness among the agricultural employees because of the way it changed long-standing procedures. Pork producers were having a difficult time implementing these into their operations. A significant problem with administering Labor Standards is the conflict that results from different interpretations of how the rules should apply. Employee termination has become more standardized and difficult because the terminated employee has the Division of Labor to fall back on. This can result in additional payment being made to the terminated employee as an unnecessary cost of the producer. Occupational Health & Safety must be adhered to and the Human Rights Code must be followed.

Reproductive Management: A Scientist in Production Clothing

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New ideas and observations about production come about when somebody new enters a production system (in this case, a research scientist). Implementing a once-per-week weaning across the production system means a reduced number of trips to the off-site nursery. Estrus that is not detected is more expensive than females that do not cycle. Boar stimulation is necessary for induction and detection of heat. A quick check of wean-to-estrus interval (WEI), % bred by 7 or 10 days after weaning, and entry to first service on gilts are often used to indicate successful usage of boars. Hormone replacement therapy does not make gilts older or more mature. They merely kick-start the cycle and enhance the expression of estrus. AI success is synonymous with excellent heat checking. Knowledge of the farms mating patterns and able staff are important for AI to be successful. More doses of semen in an AI program do not always equal better fertility. The decision to obtain maximum pigs per insemination involves more cost considerations than just price of extra semen. Animal welfare is a reproductive issue. The brain monitors reproductive cycles as a ratio of estrogen to progesterone more than absolute values of other hormones, and the value of any concept is the cost of implementation.

New levels of vitamin B12 recommended for early-weaned piglets

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Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, plays a central role in allowing animals to efficiently utilize dietary energy and protein. With respect to protein utilization, vitamin B12 acts to help animals use the sulphur amino acid methionine, a limiting amino acid in some swine diets. A deficiency of dietary vitamin B12 can lead to depressed tissue and plasma B12 concentrations, reduced growth and feed efficiency. Additionally, a deficiency of dietary B12 can lead to the accumulation in blood and tissues of a toxic metabolite known as homocysteine. At elevated concentrations, this metabolite has been shown to negatively impact the fundamental processes that lead to muscle growth, including DNA synthesis and protein accretion. Therefore, adequate dietary B12 levels are critical to ensure that the level of this metabolite is kept in check. A primary factor to consider for vitamin B12 nutrition relates to the dietary sources of this vitamin. Vitamin B12 is considered the “Animal Vitamin” because the primary dietary sources of this vitamin are animal products, such as milk powder, fishmeal, and meat meal. Plantbased ingredients do not contain appreciable levels of this vitamin. Therefore, pig diets, because they are cereal-based, require additional sources of vitamin B12 in the form of a synthetic vitamin found in premixes. The level of vitamin B12 required in the final diet will depend on the age and stage of swine. For young pigs weighing 5 to 10 kg, the current published value for vitamin B12 requirements is 17.5 micrograms per kilogram of diet. These estimates are based on extrapolations from studies with heavier, older pigs conducted over 40 years ago. In light of the central role that vitamin B12 plays in protein and energy metabolism, we conducted experiments to define the optimum level required in the diet to meet the needs of the young pig. While growth and feed efficiency were important criteria, we also used sensitive measures of vitamin B12 status, including plasma B12 and homocysteine concentrations. Our research supports a new estimate for vitamin B12 (cobalamin) requirement for early-weaned piglets. For pigs weighing 5-10 kg, the addition of 35 micrograms of vitamin B12 to a kilogram of diet is necessary to avoid accumulations in the toxic metabolite homocysteine that, if left unattended, could lead to depressions in performance and health as the animal ages.