Alternatives to Minimize the Environmental Impact of Large Swine Production Units

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

As the size of hog operations increase so do the potemtial for complaints of odours, water contamination vehicle traffic and noise. Water contamination complaints have been related to spills, purposeful discharges and structural failure; while odour complaints stem from buildings, manure storage facilities and application. Technologies exist to minimize or eliminate the impact of hog operations on the environment. Producers, elected officials and the public will need to identify concerns and evaluate alternatives to prevent or minimize the impact of intensive hog operations on water quality and the impact odours have on the surrounding area.

New Computer Program Helps Farmers Manage Manure

Posted in: Environment by admin on | No Comments

A new computerized decision-making system for manure management on the farm, developed by University of Guelph researchers, is designed to save money and protect the environment. MCLONE4 is a software package for farmers and consultants, that evaluates cost, labour, odour , nutrients and environment to rate agricultural manure systems. It calculates environmental risks, and makes manure application recommendations and calculations designed for Ontario farms. The program includes extensive on-line help and advice on how to use the program and interpret results. MCLONE4is unique in dealing with more than just manure nutrient management as it covers economics and environmental risk. a

Direct Measurements of Methane Emissions from Grazing and Feedlot Cattle

Posted in: Environment by admin on | No Comments

Air concentrations of volatile organic acids in confined animal buildingsa

Posted in: Environment by admin on | No Comments

Effectiveness of 3 Manure Pit Additives (Poster)

Posted in: Prairie Swine Centre by admin on | No Comments

Field pea DE content and chemical characteristics

Posted in: Prairie Swine Centre by admin on | No Comments

Field peas are used increasingly as a source of energy and amino acids in swine rations in Western Canada. The DE content in 11 field pea samples ranged from 3098 to 3739 kcal/kg (1997 PSCI Annual Research Report). The objective of this study was to relate content of field pea samples with chemical and physical characteristics to enable subsequent calculation of prediction equations. Overall, ether extract was the only characteristic with a statistical significant relationship with DE content. We were unable to predict the DE content of the field pea samples accurately with the chemical or physical characteristics included in the study.

Travel sickness and meat quality in pigs.

Posted in: Welfare by admin on | No Comments

The effects of environmental enrichment and intermittent lighting on the behaviour and welfare of male domestic turkeys.

Posted in: Welfare by admin on | No Comments

Does pecking at inanimate stimuli predict cannibalistic behaviour in domestic fowl?

Posted in: Welfare by admin on | No Comments

Cannibalism involves the pecking and tearing of skin and underlying tissues of another bird. It is a serious welfare problem in egg laying stains of domestic fowl. This study assessed the pecking behaviour of caged White Leghorn hens towards feather-shaped stimuli varying in colour (red or blue), material (paper or feather) and movement (stationary or movable) attached to a board placed in the feed trough. Each of the eight stimulus combinations was presented to two replicate groups of 5 young hens for 15 min at 45 and 57 days of age. Severe pecks were directed more frequently at feathers than paper stimuli and at movable than stationary stimuli but there was no differential response to red and blue stimuli. When reassessed the responses to the stimuli in groups of four hens at 696 and 710 days of age the study found no significant effects of colour, material or movement on the latency to peck the stimuli, or the frequency of gentle and severe pecks at the stimuli. There was a positive correlation between the frequency of severe feather pecking at flock mates and the frequency of cannibalistic behaviour. This study did not find significant correlation between the frequency of pecking at the inanimate stimuli and the frequencies of pecking at the flesh and feathers of flock mates. In summary it is concluded that the frequency of pecking at inanimate stimuli was not a good predictor of future cannibalistic behaviour by hens in this study.

A Check List for Solving Prblems – The Importance of Light

Posted in: Energy by admin on | No Comments

Duration of light for various ages of swine is examined. Barn design in relation to lighting for swine is also addressed.