SEARCH
Industry Partners
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:
Development of Genetic Markers for Swine Improvement
Posted in: Production by admin on January 1, 2000 | No Comments
Northern Bioidentification Service Ltd. has been offering genetic analysis services for animal management since its inception in 1995. Most of this work is based on a special class of genetic markers called microsatellites or Short Tandem Repeat DNA sequences. A limitation has been the availability of good marker sets. They are not always available from the published literature, and competitors often keep their own markers as trade secrets allowing them exclusive access to specific markets.
A special class of genetic markers, termed Microsatellites, are used in genetic analysis. These offer a number of specific advantages: they are present in only one copy in the genome; they are identifiable by the PCR reaction, making the sampling process quick and simple; they mutate rapidly and are, therefore, highly polymorphic and highly informative; and finally they can be analyzed using an automated genetic analyzer, which is available in the NBS Ltd. laboratory.
The objective of this study was to develop improved methods of producing microsatellite genetic markers used for pig genetic improvement. A good marker set will give NBS Ltd. a tremendous advantage in accessing the lucrative pig genetic management market, and a better service can be offered at a better profit owing to improvements in the markers themselves.
Specifically, the project seeks to develop trinucleotide repeats (units of three DNA bases) rather than the more common dinucleotide repeats. These are easier for the automated genotyping equipment at NBS to separate and distinguish. They also amplify more cleanly; dinucleotide repeats tend to produce artifactual “stutter peaks”, which make the data harder to interpret. These make the analysis easier and greatly reduce lab and analysis costs for routine genotyping work.
Physical and Chemical Properties of Screened Flushed Pig Slurry Waste
Posted in: Environment by admin on | No Comments
DROPLET SIZE AND LEAF MORPHOLOGY EFFECTS ON PESTICIDE SPRAY DEPOSITION
Posted in: Environment by admin on | No Comments
Nutrient Flows for Poultry production in The Netherlands
Posted in: Environment by admin on | No Comments
Government targets for ammonia emission and for N and P loss per hectare (ha) of agricultural land were used to assess carrying capacity for poultry production in The Netherlands with data from 1990. In addition, the effect of alternative management strategies on carrying capacity was determined. Ammonia emission from poultry production in 1990 [20.5 gigagrams (Gg) N] exceeded the target for 2000 (i.e., 6.9 Gg N). Targets defined for 2000 and 2010 (i.e., 4.6 Gg N) can be achieved, however, without reducing poultry numbers, assuming national introduction of measurements studied. Measures that reduced ammonia emission directly, i.e., introduction of low-emission housing or manure application techniques, were most effective. In 1990, N and P losses equalled 215 kg/ha for N and 31 kg/ha for P. The N loss was slightly lower than the target for 2000 (219 kg N/ha) but exceeded the target for 2010 (144 kg N/ha). Reduction of application of artificial N fertilizer, however, reduced N loss effectively from 215 to 22 kg/ha. National P loss in 1990 exceeded the target for 2000 (15.3 kg P/ha). Reduction of application of artificial P fertilizer reduced P loss most effectively from 31 to 14 kg/ha. To achieve the target for 2010 (8.7 kg P/ha), additional reduction in P excretion by poultry is required. This reduction can be achieved by use of phytase in layer and broiler feed and by use of a coarse Ca source in layer feed. Unlike pig production, carrying capacity for poultry production in The Netherlands is not limited by governmental targets for acidification, eutrophication, or drinking water contamination.
Measurement of Odour Emissions from Hog Operations in Manitoba
Posted in: Environment by admin on | No Comments
Odour emissions were measured by olfactometer and trained observers on ten hog farms in Manitoba a
COMPOSTING DEADSTOCK – A Producera
Posted in: Environment by admin on | No Comments
Composting is the biological decomposition of organic materials under controlled conditions. Microbes will consume oxygen and organic matter to produce heat, carbon dioxide, water vapour and stabilized organic matter. The Livestock Manure and Mortalities Regulation requires mortalities to be kept in a secure storage location and disposed of within 48 hours after death. Otherwise, mortalities must be continually frozen or refrigerated. No person shall dispose of mortalities except by burial or incineration, composting, or delivery to a rendering plant. The benefits of composting are: sound biosecurity, discreet method for year-round carcass and after-birth disposal, easy disposal of materials (weanlings, afterbirth, even feeder pigs and sows), carcasses can be disposed of immediately, composted materials can be recycled onto farm fields as a value-added soil conditioner. Compost bins should be built on an elevated site that has 24-hour year round access. The site should be able to control any leaching or run-off. When locating a composter consideration should be given to traffic patterns required for moving dead pigs, the required ingredients, and removing the finished compost from the composter. While offensive odours are not usually generated in the composting process, the handling of dead pigs on a daily basis may not be aesthetically pleasing. It is a good idea to build the composter surrounded by trees. The bins may vary in size depending on the type and size of the operation. A 350-500 sow farrow-to-finish operation would require 3 piles, each approximately 15 feet wide and 30 feet deep. Larger operations may choose a more customized system or larger bins in similar proportions (i.e., 25 x 50 ft). It is recommended that the base should be a concrete pad with a 4-6 inch curb or lip to prevent leaching and run-off. A buffer of crushed rock around the compost bin will discourage rodents. It should be noted that using sawdust will control nearly all run-off and leaching. While bin configuration is not critical, bins are often laid out as three-sided enclosures. The open side should be wide enough (at least two feet wider than bucket width) so that the bin contents are easily accessible with a front end or skid-steer loader. A roof is recommended to help control moisture levels. An open compost bin may receive too much rainfall in a given period or too much snow accumulation in winter. Properly finished compost should appear as a dark, nearly black granular material resembling humus or potting soil. It may have a slight musty odor. The pile temperature will have dropped to the ambient (outside air) temperature. Some resistant bones (skull parts, teeth) may be visible, but they should be soft and easily crumbled by hand. The material is now ready for spreading onto an existing land base.
Effect of Group Size of 10, 20 and 80 Growing Pigs on Productivity – Poster
Posted in: Prairie Swine Centre by admin on | No Comments