An assessment of several potential enrichment devices for feedlot cattle.

Posted in: Welfare by admin on January 1, 2002 | No Comments

This study looked at four potential environmental enrichment devices for feedlot cattle over a 22 day trial. Two of the devices allowed cattle to rub and scratch different portions of their body, and these were used most extensively by the animals and by 75% of the cattle in each pen. Of the two scratching devices, the one that allowed scratching of the head and back of the animal was used the most, and increased in usage up to 16 days after the beginning of the trial. The other device allowed scratching of the sides of the animal. The other potential enrichment devices involved accessing odours by sniffing and nosing a pipe hung in the pen. These devices, using milk and lavender odours, were used very little and primarily during the first 2-3 days of the trial. The milk based devices was used slightly more than the lavender devices. The conclusion of the study is that scratching devices have greater potential as enrichment devices in feedlots than do odour based devices.

Effects of Marketing Decisions on Net Present Value of Pork Production for Independent and Allied Swine Producers

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For the target-weight scenario, net present value is maximized when the target weight
reaches about 270 pounds, holding other variables constant (figure 3). Also, model
simulation suggests that if producers grow genetically improved feeder pigs and
if the purchase premium is appropriate, NPV improves to a value between $6,000
and $8,400. For example, this happens with a 0.1-pound increase in ADG and a
premium of $1.00 per head for 260 pounds to 280 pounds target-weight scenarios.
The pricing matrix we used penalizes a pig heavier than 280 pounds. The
model indicates that targeting about 270 pounds market weight is optimal and
producing pigs heavier than 280 pounds is not advised; thus, our model closely
emulates the current market situation. The pricing matrix signals producers to
decrease the proportion of pigs heavier than 280 pounds. Our model advises a
compliant target weight. Thus, independent finishers have incentive to market
pigs just past the midpoint of the “sweet zone” of the pricing matrix (the range
of weights where pigs are not penalized for being too light or too heavy).
For allied farmers with a fixed shipment schedule, it is also more profitable to
ship heavier pigs than the 1995 to 1998 average. Extending all shipping schedules
by an additional eight days (a longer production period results in heavier pigs
shipped) maximizes NPV (figure 4). In this case, pigs will be on feed for 120,131,

Optimum Strategies In Artificial Insemination, With Emphasis on the Timing Relative To Ovulation and the Role of the Boar

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Artificial insemination can be extremely effective with as little as one dose in the 24-hour period prior to ovulation. The problem occurs in determining when ovulation is going to occur. This optimal 24-hour period ensures maximum fertilization potential of the sperm and the egg. Extender, age, dosage, freezing, and backflow during AI all affect the fertilization potential. Increasing semen quality, deep uterine insemination, uterine white blood cell reduction, and certain sow characteristics are all being investigated to improve the fertilization of sows.

Predicting ovulation timing is difficult due to the variability between sows. Work is being done to identify the application of varying stimulus intensities to identify different stages of estrus. For example, it is possible that the shade of vulva redness can be used to identify what stage of estrus the sow is showing. A red inner vulva would mean to put off the insemination until the redness disappears.

When it comes to insemination frequency, studies show that 24 hour intervals between inseminations has the same reproductive results as 12 hour intervals. In fact, insemination of sows as often as possible may not just be a waste of semen, labor and money, but may also have negative effects. This is due to uterine infections interfering with maximal fertilization. The optimal timing of insemination during estrus varies between farms. Sows with a short (3-4 days) wean to estrus average have a long estrus, associated with an advanced ovulation time. To get farm-specific data, farmers should establish the duration of estrus and also take into account the effect of weaning to estrus interval on the duration of estrus. This also enables checking of the appropriateness of insemination timings of individual sows.

Sperm transport within the sow is essential. External boar stimulus increases the hormone oxytocin, which initiates uterine contractions. Boar presence during insemination is a must-have, as it positively influences uterine contraction activity especially when the contraction pattern of a sow is low.

New Generation Partnerships: Is the Future Co-operatives?

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The initiation of cooperatives is defensive in nature. Business usually succeeds when cooperatives derive from market failure rather than low prices. The second stage of a cooperative is survival of the entity. The third stage is the description of ill-defined property rights followed by the fourth stage, which addresses these problems. The fifth stage is action, where shares can be sold on the stock market. New Generation Partnerships require up-front capital investment and commitment from members. They either own the processing capacity or develop a strategic alliance with the existing processor. They minimize many problems and have the potential for long-term success. The question is, can an NGP work in the hog sector? The future trend looks to be less government assistance, more tight linkages between producers and supply chain management, and an increase in food safety and quality. Internally, the number of hog farms has been decreasing at a fast pace with large-scale growers increasing. Packers in Canada are being purchased by US owned entities, which is bringing down the traditionally 100% Canadian owned industry. Since the price crash in 1998/1999, there has been increased interest in hog cooperatives in the US. There seems to be a strong desire to move toward fully integrated production processing units. Producers themselves feel that cooperatives have potential due to leverage-able assets in hog production.

Within-herd Use of Boar Semen at 5 º C, with a Note on Electronic Monitoring of Oestrus

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A system was designed to allow a small swine farm in a nothern latitude to use its own boars for artificial insemination (AI) conveniently. Semen was collected twice weekly for 3 day use (days 0,1 and 2), extended in an egg yolk extender and stored at 5ºC. Farm personnel were trained to manage the entrie AI programme. For simplicity all semen collected was used for insemination. In the first test 47 gilts and 15 sows were inseminated with semen from four boars. One boar was subfertile with a farrowing rate of 36%. The averages for the other boars ranged from 71 to 100%. Then semen was collected from seven boars and all was used to inseminate 70 gilts and 55 sows with 3 x 10 9 or more per litter. Litter size for sows was 1.5 piglets larger than for gilts. There was no difference in farrowing rate when more than 3 x 10 9 sperm were inseminated. The feasibility of initiating a complete AI programme within a small herd using herd boars was established. However, selection of the boars, use of only high quality semen, and experience with detecting oestrus was required to increase the farrowing rate. The use of various agents to protect sperm against cold shock below 15ºC is worthy of further investigation. a new type of electronic probe, which measure the conductivity of cervical mucus, could be helpful if a boar is not available for conventional detection of oestrus

Using surface water in nursery pig production

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Water is an important resource in swine production whose quality can significantly impact pig performance and, therefore, profitability of a swine operation. A growing number of pigs are being raised in areas where good quality ground water is unavailable, and therefore surface (dugout) water must be used. This report highlights potential challenges of using of surface water in nursery pig production and some of the procedures available for improving water quality. A summary of the findings of a recent study comparing ground water with surface water and different treatment methods, and the main indicators of water quality is presented. The findings support the use of surface water for commercial nursery pig production and suggest that investing in costly water treatment procedures may not always be justified. Swine producers should first ensure that water quality, and not other factors (e.g. barn environment), is indeed the problem. The following is a summary of the main indicators of water quality and a brief discussion of the available water treatment methods. Water pH ranging from 6.5 to 8.5 is considered acceptable to pigs. A low pH may reduce the effectiveness of medication delivered via water. Water hardness is a measure of the amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium salts and is expressed as calcium carbonate. Soft water has no effect on pig performance. However, with hard water the excess calcium might interfere with phosphorous utilization. Water containing soluble salts with less than 1000 ppm is considered safe to pigs. High levels might cause water refusal or mild temporary diarrhea. Contamination of groundwater with nitrates and nitrites mainly occurs through leaching from the soil or through surface water runoff that has been exposed to material with high nitrogen levels. Nitrates are toxic to pigs if water levels exceed 1500 ppm. Nitrites are more toxic and levels should not exceed 10 ppm in water for pigs. Symptoms of nitrate poisoning include: high respiration rate, incidence of diarrhea, reduced feed intake, and increased abortions among pregnant sows. Bacterial contamination of water is viewed as a serious problem relative to the quality of water for both human and livestock use. The level of coliforms (a group of disease-causing bacteria) indicates bacterial contamination of water. A count 1of 5000 total coliforms per 100 milliliters is the maximum allowed in water for pigs, but the type of bacteria present may be more important. Water quality should be checked at least once a year, with a measurement of bacterial (coliform) contamination always included. It is important to note, however, that in some cases measured indicators of water quality do not always mean poor pig performance. Therefore, any decision to install expensive water purification systems can only be justified if pig performance is significantly reduced. Some of the methods available for water treatment include chlorination, coagulation, filtration, and pH adjustment. Of these, chlorination is the most widely utilized within the industry and works best in water with low pH and low levels of contaminants. Installing a water softener offers a simple means to reduce the hardness of the water. Other techniques like ion exchange have limited application in commercial pork production due to cost.

The effect of methionine on digestion indices and N balance of young Mong Cai pigs fed high levels of ensiled cassava leaves

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Asdditivity of Apparent ileal and Fecal Phosphorus Digestibility Values Measured in a Single Feed Ingredients for Growing-Finishing Pigs

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Two experiments were conducted to determine apparent ileal and fecal P digestibility values in barley, wheat, peas and canola meal and to examine whether the apparent P digestibility values measured in single feed ingredients are additive when used in diet formulation for growing-finishing pigs. In both experiments, five barrows, with average initial body weights of 40 and 35 kg, were fitted with a simple T-cannula at the distal ileum and fed five diets according to a 5 x 5 Latin square design. In exp. 1, the barrows were fed five diets (diets 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5) formulated to contain five graded levels of barley (0, 22.5, 45.0, 67.5 and 90%, respectively) and canola meal (42.7, 36.6, 30.5, 24.4 and 0%, respectively). In exp. 2, the barrows were fed five diets (diets 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5) formulated to contain five graded levels of wheat (88.5, 66.4, 44.3, 22.1 and 0%, respectively) and peas (0, 16.8, 33.6, 50.4 and 67.1%, respectively). Chromic oxide (0.4%) was used as a digestibility marker in both experiments. The pigs were fed twice daily, at 0800 and 2000. The dietary allowance was 1800 g d(-1). Each experimental period lasted 8 d. Representative fecal samples were collected during days 5 and 6. Ileal digesta were collected for a total of 24 h, at 2-h intervals, during days 7 and 8. The ileal and fecal P digestibility values in barley, wheat, peas and canola meal were associated with large standard errors, suggesting a large variability within each feed ingredient. There were no differences (P > 0.05) between the directly determined and predicted apparent fecal P digestibility values in diets 2, 3 and 4 of exp. 1. However, there were differences (P < 0.05) between the directly. determined and the predicted apparent fecal P digestibility values in diets 3 (46.5 +/- 1.0 vs. 38.7 +/- 0.6) and 4 (48.2 +/- 1.2 vs. 41.6 +/- 1.2) in exp. 2, indicating that apparent fecal P digestibility values are not always additive in diet formulation. It is concluded that apparent P digestibility values are variable and not very reliable in diet formulation for swine.

AMMONIA VOLATILIZATION FROM CONSTRUCTED WETLANDS THAT TREAT SWINE WASTEWATER

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Slurry Application Techniques to reduce Ammonia Emissions: Results of some UK Field-scale Experiments

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Shallow injection, trailing shoe and band spreading machines were evaluated, in terms of their potential for reducing ammonia (NH3) emission, by making measurements after application and in direct comparison with surface broadcast applied cattle slurry (pig slurry on one occasion). Several sets of comparative measurements were made with each type of machine on both grassland and arable land (mostly cereal stubbles), covering a range of soil, crop and weather conditions. Measurements of NH3 emissions were made for 5a