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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:
Relationships between human-animal interactions and productivity of commercial dairy cows.
Posted in: Welfare by admin on January 1, 2000 | No Comments
This study examined the relationships among stockperson and cow variables of 66 commercial farms. Stockpersons were assessed in terms of their attitudes toward cows and their behaviour while handling animals. The cows were assessed in terms of their response to humans and their productivity. Stockpersons with a positive attitude toward cows were less likely to use forceful, negative, tactile (touching) interactions with the animals. Cows that were handled with fewer such interactions were more willing to approach humans. Animals that were willing to approach humans had higher reproductive performance (conception rate). Also, cows that received a higher number of forceful interactions produced less milk and had higher cortisol levels. The results of this study illustrate the complex relationship among stockperson attitude, handling, cow productivity and welfare. Although causal relationships could not be determined, the area offers considerable potential for research on human-animal relationships that positively affect animal welfare.
Electrical stunning and exsanguinations decrease the extracellular volume in the broiler brain as studied with brain impedance recordings.
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This study examined the effects of three methods of stunning and exsanguinating (bleeding out) chickens. The first method involved electrical stunning of the whole body, followed by exsanguinations. This method was always effective in achieving an immediate reduction in brain impedance (a measure of degree of function). Birds reached a criterion of A? original impedance within 4 minutes with this method. The second method was electrical stunning of the head only, followed by exsanguinations. Some birds showed similar responses as the whole body stunning, while others were similar to the third treatment. The conclusion is that this method did not always yield an adequate stun. The third method was exsanguinations only. The drop in brain impedance was slower, and the criterion of A? original level was only achieved after 5 minutes. However, by 10 minutes all treatments were similar. The conclusion is that whole body stunning induced immediate brain damage indicating an adequate stun. Head only stunning was not reliable in this study.
The Influence of Restraint Immobilization Stress on the Concentration of Bioamines and Cortisol in Plasma of Pietrain and Duroc Pigs
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Forty-five Duroc (recognized as not susceptible to stress) and 34 Pietrain (susceptible to stress) pigs were subjected to immobilization stress in a prone position for 5, 15, 30 and 60 min. Plasma concentrations of epinephrine (E), norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA) and cortisol (C) were determined in response to restraint stress. The concentrations of E, NE and DA were different between the two strains of pigs (some significant interactions); the highest response was seen after 5 min of stress. The concentration of plasma C increased with duration of stress and there was a significant interaction between strain of animals and the time of stress. Our data substantiate the use of E, NE, DA and C as indicators of stress in swine as early as 5 min after exposure to the stressor. It is also shown that stress-susceptible Pietrain pigs had higher plasma concentrations of E, NE and DA than Duroc pigs.
ATMOSPHERIC STABILITY EFFECTS ON PESTICIDE DRIFT FROM AN IRRIGATED ORCHARD
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Farmers split over livestock expansion virtues
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Farmers are split regrading livestock expansion in Manitoba, some see it as an opportunity and others view it as an annoyance. Varying points have been heard by a livestock review panel examining livestock expansion in Manitoba over th past month. Advocates for intensive hog operations believe they diversify the economy can create future livelihood in farming, and investment in the livestock industry are crictical to the province’s economy. While opponents, state hog barns hurt property values and destroy neighbourhood harmony.
An Alternative Approach to Manure Collection: The Conveyor Belt System
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The key to a successful swine waste management system is to produce less waste and/or produce some valuable from it. One system that combines these is the installation of manure collection belts underneath the flooring.
The idea is that fresh manure will drop from the pens and land on the tilted belt. The urine will then drain off and be transported elsewhere while the fecal matter will remain, where a drying process will occur. This system has several advantages including reduced ammonia and odour emissions because of the separation of the two kinds of waste and manure transport becomes easier and cheaper as the manure is drier. This system is also low maintenance, the belt life ranges from 5 to 10 years because of its durability, and finally there is greater flexibility because dry manure can be used as fertilizer, as soil amendments such as compost, or as fuel to be burned for energy production.
The question with any new technology is the feasibility for producers. Will it be practical and economical for the farm? The poultry industry has used this system for many years but the economic feasibility for pork producers is still being researched. Estimates suggest the belt will increase the cost of the barn to $5/pig place but that this would be offset by the savings in no longer needing a large lagoon or spray field and the cheaper transportation.
Human health effects of dust exposure in animal confinement buildings
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