Partitioning psychological and physical sources of transport-related stress in young cattle.

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Impact of feeding regimen on behavioral and physiological indicators for feeding motivation and satiety, immune function, and performance of gestating sows.

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Rapid growth problems: ascites and skeletal deformities in broilers.

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Fall and Winter Hormone Concentrations Related to Stress in Pigs Identified as Normal and Carrier for Stress Susceptibility

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Stress susceptibility in swine, also known as malignant hyperthermia (MH), is a
genetically inherited condition responsible for major economic losses in the swine industry.
Pigs that are heterozygous carriers (Nn) of the genetic mutation in the halothane
gene are exceptionally sensitive to common stressors such as exposure to high temperature,
handling, fighting, breeding, and transport. As a result, pork producers are constantly
searching for means to control stress in swine. Seasonal changes are known to influence the stress response by their action on biochemical peripheral and central pathways, causing the release of pituitary and adrenal hormones and central nervous system monoamines in animals and humans. The
functional relationship between neurotransmitters is greatly affected by the seasons
and was correlated to disturbances in animalsa

Hydrogen Sulfide Emissions from a Mechanically Ventilated Swine Building During Warm Weather

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Hydrogen sulfide gas is on of the most dangerous gases produced from manure decomposition, being produced through anaerobic fermentation of manure. Hydrogen sulfide concentration of 50 ppb can cause dizziness, nauisea and irriatation of the respiratory tract, and concentrations in excess of 1,000 ppb can cause respiratory paralysis or death.

Hydrogen sulfide concentration were measured in three locations in a naturally ventilated grower-finisher barn: pit-head space, pit fans and wall fans. Average daily mean concentration ranged from 158 – 197 ppb, averaging 158 +/-21 for all three locations, with a maximum and minimum of 38 and 536 ppb respectively. There were also wide daily concentration fluctuations and moderate concentration diffeences wre apparent between the three locations. Demonstrating the importance of selecting the proper location for measurement.

The average daily hydrogen sulfide emission was 587 +/-57 g/d or 7.0 +/- g/d per 500 kg of body weight from the building. The daily hydrogen sulfide emsissions were between 2-6 g/d per 500 kg fo body weight over half of the days that were being tested. The daily indoor concentration levels were found to be inversely porporational to the ventilation rate and inside temperature. The daily emission rate was directly porportional to the ventilation rate, temperature and pig weight.

Nutrient Removal from Swine Wasteater with Growing Duckweed

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Due to their limited land base, North Carolina has examined various means of treating swine wasterwater in order to reduce nutrient content, in particular nitrogena dn phosphorus. One method as been the incorporation of plant species including: weater hyacinth, duckweed and microalgae. Duckweed is the most practical of these alternatives, a high nutrient absoprtion rate, fast plant growth and a high protein compostion (allowi it to be used as alternative feedstuff).

Facts on Pfiesteria

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The swine production along with human wastes, poultry, fertilizer and urban runoff are suspected to have trigger the development of Pfiesteria to its toxic forms in estuaries where the rivers join the oceans. The toxic form of Pfiesteria feeds on the fishes resulting in dying fishes from bloody sores. A massive hog manure spill has been linked to subsequent major fish kill by Pfiesteria in 1995 in North Carolina. Research will be done to evaluate the situation and also the contribution of the pork industry to the problem. The pork producers are encouraged in the mean time to protect themselves by the promotion and adoption of stringent waste management standards.

The contribution of swine production to the problem of nutrients’ increased load in the water and undesirable micro-organisms activity has to be investigated by systematic research considering whole system approach and watershed evaluation. Otherwise this production already pointed out as causing environmental problems could be easily blamed as being the problem.

A Survey of Ventilation Rates in Livestock Buildings in Northern Europe

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Ventilation rates in 329 livestock buildings in Northern Europe (England, The Netherlands, Denmark and
Germany) in winter and summer were estimated from a carbon dioxide (mass balance). On the basis of 500 kg liveweight, the mean ventilation rate across all countries was 341 m3/h for cattle, 241 m3/h for pigs and 451 m3/h for poultry during winter. The corresponding summer ventilation rates were 404, 428 and 965 m3/h (500 kg) liveweight, respectively. Recommended maximum ventilation rates in summer were not reached in some pig and poultry houses: the installed capacity may have been insuA

COMPOSTING PIGGERY WASTE: A REVIEW

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Manure Management for Swine Facilities – French Version

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