The Role of Infectious Aerosols in Disease Transmission in Pigs

Posted in: Air Filtration, Pork Insight Articles by admin on August 31, 1999 | No Comments

There are many diseases that infect pigs by way of Airborne transmission. This paper reviews the general principles of the airborne pathway, including aerosol production, decay and inhalation. Also discussed is practical issues regarding aerosol sampling and sample analysis. Details of the aerobiology of porcine diseases, including foot-and-mouth disease, Aujesky’s disease, and respiratory diseases, are explained. Some other diseases are discussed based on the evidence gathered that they are transmitted by air. To prevent the spreading of airborne diseases, dust reduction, air filtration, air disinfection, vaccination should be considered.

The Role of Infectious Aerosols in Disease Transmission in Pigs

Posted in: Air Filtration, Pork Insight Articles by admin on August 28, 1999 | No Comments

Their are a number of infectious diseases in pigs that are transmitted through the air. This study reviews the general principles of the airborne pathway, including aerosol production, decay and inhalation. The study also discusses practical issues about aerosol sampling and sample analysis. The research describes in detail aerobiology of porcine diseases, including foot-and-mouth disease, Aujesky’s disease, and respiratory diseases. Also discussed is other disease that have potential to be transmiteed through the air. Some considerations suggestted for preventing airborne diseases in pigs are: dust reduction, air filtration, air disinfection, vaccination and the establishment of disease-free regions.

Perceived welfare issues in dairy cattle, with special emphasis on metabolic stress.

Posted in: Welfare by admin on January 1, 1999 | No Comments

Segregated early weaning and welfare of piglets.

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Chronic inflammatory responses of lambs to rubber ring castration: are there any effects of age or size of lamb at treatment?

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Space use and agonistic behaviour in relation to sex composition in large flocks of laying hens

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In a natural habit, feral fowl and red jungle fowl form groups and stay within a certain area. When domestic fowl are forced to live together in large flocks, some studies have found indications that birds form subgroups within the main large group, although some have not found this phenomenon. The objective of this experiment was to test the hypothesis that hens in large flocks have home ranges in parts of the pen and that they form subgroups. Furthermore the influence of males on formation of subgroups was tested in this study. Eight flocks of 568 A

The Economic Impact of Genetic Improvement

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If the pork industry in the United States is to prosper, it is imperative that production efficiency of lean, quality, consumer-oriented pork products improve. The pork industry is one of several industries competing for a share of consumer market demand. Consumers, both domestic and international, have the option of purchasing numerous pork substitutes.
Due to rapid improvements in production efficiency, the retail prices of broilers and turkeys have risen less than pork prices. As a result, pork, the medium priced meat, lost sales to poultry in the more price sensitive markets and is competing with beef in less price sensitive markets.
As the pork industry matures, the most efficient producers continue to expand. The expansion of the more efficient producers causes profit margins to decrease. Thus, it is increasingly important that each pork producer carefully consider genetic options. Only progressive pork producers utilizing
seedstock with superior genetic potential arising from strategic selection practices remain competitive. Pork producers must exploit the power of genetic improvement programs in order to improve their production efficiency. While most commercial producers are aware of the dollar returns
associated with investments in improved management, the majority fail to realize the substantial economic impact of genetic improvement. Selection based upon performance data can be highly profitable for pork producers. Using proven selection techniques, it is possible to genetically
improve economically important traits at the rate of about 2 to 3% per year.
Improved efficiency of pork production results not only from genetic progress, but from advances in all areas of swine production: genetics, nutrition, physiology, management, and health. Longterm
improvement of a commercial producera

Field Evaluation of a Wet Pad Scrubber for Controlling Dust and Odor Emissions

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Previous studies(Wang, 1998) have shown a strong correlation between odor and dust levels. In this study a wet pad scrubber was installed in a tunnel ventilated swine finishing building in order to view the removal of dust and odors from airflow. The wetpad scrubber (washing wall system) was installed 4ft infront of the exhaust fans so all ventilation airflow passes through the system. Dust and ammonia levels were measured at the air inlet, upwind of the scrubber and downwind of the pad at low and high ventilation rates.

The scrubber did not initiate a static pressure drop, however was not very effective in evaporating water. Dust removal was very effective at low ventilation rates, reducing dust levels up to 65%, however dust levels were only reduced by 20% at ventilation rates typical of hot weather. Ammonia levels realized a small reduction of 6.7% at the low ventilation rate, but no difference was reported at the high ventilation rate. Except for the smallest particles, particles numbers were less after passing through the scrubber than after it. A chemical analysis of dust particles indictaed pehnols and mercaptans were absobed by dust particles wimilar to that of other studies. Phenol levels in the dust were not significantly different before and after the scrubber, however since duts levels were reduced total amount of phenols on the dust was reduced. At high ventilation rates consistent with hot weather, odour was reduced betwenn 13-17%. Results from this tsudy strongly suggest that odours emitted from swine buildings are strongly linked to dust, therefore odour intensity reduction are similar to dust reductions.

Technological Windows in Manure Treatment Systems for Quebec

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Manure and subsequent odours generated from intensive livestock operations is growing in public concern. To aid in promoting new manure treatment technologies the Quebec Ministery of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food established “Technological windows in manure treatment systems” (TW). These TW’s were established to better inform livestock producers and the public about new, or enhanced manure management technologies. The type and relative success of manure treatment and odour reduction of 1) anaerobic air ambient temperature, bisor biofiltration, bio-fert, Ppurin Par and Fan separator are outlined.

Effects of Organic Cover Biofilters on Odors from Liquid Manure Storage

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Odour complaints are the single largest source of complaints with respect to intensive livestock operations. One method of odour reduction is the use of a biofilter. These low-cost filtration systems have been succssful in reducing hydrogen sulfide and odour emission levels from livestock operations.

This study set out to examine the impact of a manure-soaked straw cover, water-soaked straw cover and a dry-straw cover on the odour and hydrogen sulfide emissions generated from a manure storage unit. Two trails were completed to evaluate the biofilters, the first trail lasted from April 1 – May 4, 1998 and the second trial lasted from June 4 – July 23, 1998. All samples were analyzed for hydrogen sulfide and odour threshold levels.

Hydrogen sulfide levels were influenced by two factors: difussion of the odour through the biofilter and dilution by the fresh air flowing acress the surface of the biofilter. The average hydrogen sulfide reduction for the first trial (April 1 – May4) from the straw soaked with manure was 95% and the straw soaked with water realized a 91% reduction. During the second phase of the trial the dry straw cover was compared with the water-soaked straw cover. Average hydrogen sulfide concentrations at the surface ranged from 1,145 – 2,037 ppb at the manure surface and 110 – 115 at the outlet for the dry straw cover. Representing a 92% H2S reduction rate. The wet straw cover averaged 573 – 847 ppb at the manure surface and 101 – 153 ppb at the outlets, representing a 81% reduction in concentration levels. The average H2S reduction of the control, no straw cover was 50% between the manure surface and the outlet.

Odour reduction with the wet straw was 55% while the straw soaked with manure was 45%. The manure soaked cover odour reduction was not as high because the manure in the straw contributed to emitting odours. Odour reduction levels were reduced 59% with the dry straw cover. The hydrogen sulfide and odour concentrations were not as high in the second study. This can be explained by the summer testing period, in which the higher temperature would increase microbial activity and therefore increase the amount of hydrogen sulfide and odour being emitted from the manure.