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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:
Water quality and weanling pig performance
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Few well-controlled studies have investigated the impact of poor quality water on pig performance; most suggest the pig is capable of handling relatively high concentrations of sulphates and other mineral contaminants without apparent effect. However, claims from field workers suggest that under farm conditions, water quality is an important issue that has not yet been adequately addressed. Two experiments were conducted to determine how pigs react to poor quality water under commercial farm conditions. They were carried out on a commercial farm, where the well water was high in sulphates, total dissolved solids and iron; an on-site reverse osmosis unit provide high quality water for comparison. Although diarrhea was observed, water quality had no impact on weanling pig performance or nutrient digestibility. Based on these results, along with previous research, it can be concluded that pigs weaned at three weeks of age have the ability to handle relatively high quantities of sulphate in their drinking water and maintain overall growth performance. It can further be concluded that the presence of diarrhea alone, associated with high sulphate water, cannot necessarily by linked to poor animal performance.
Chronic effects of dust inhalation on the respiratory tract in pigs.
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Distinction between Different Slurry Application Techniques by their Ammonia Emission with FTIR-Open-Path Measurements and Dispersion Modelling
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The purpose of this experiment was testing the FTIR method and instrumental set-up for field comparaison of emissions from different manure spreading systems and also to evaluate those emissions and compare the spreading techniques. For the specific conditions of the experiment, reductions of 26% were observed for the bandspreading method and 45% for the trailing shoe system compared with the conventional double deflector nozzle. Emissions of other gases such as NO2 could not be observed; other techniques such as static chambers would probably be more appropriate for emissions of small gases quantities.
Ammonia Emissions from Pig Slurries : Evaluation of Acidification and the Uses of Additives in Reducing Losses
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The experiment was done in laboratory under controlled conditions and measurements were taken only during few days. This type of experiment can be a good step to screen additives available and retain the most promising ones for further analysis and research in production conditions. A standard procedure for additive evaluation is needed in order to be able to compare on a reliable basis the manufacturers’ claims.
Housing for Frowing Pigs Meeting the Needs for Animal, Stockman and Environment
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Changes were made in the floor design and the climatization to optimize the conditions for growing pigs by improving the air quality and the lying comfort of the animal and also to reduce the ammonia volatilization from the floor and the manure in the pit. By lowering the manure pit area from 50 to 25%, the ammonia volatilization can be reduced significantly. Metal slatted floors also contribute to lowering the ammonia emissions compared to concrete slatted floor. By partially covering the slatted floor with naps this will result in less fouling of the solid floor as the animals will not lay on the slatted area and subsequently soiling the solid floor thus resulting in less ammonia emissions. The tested ventilation systems influenced significantly that the air quality at the stockman and pigs breathing areas. The total dust concentration and the ammonia concentration were higher in systems using bedding (sawdust) and this should be considered even if the animal welfare is increased. Changes in the pen floor design and climate control system can significant effects on the air quality and the ammonia emissions.
Five different slatted floor types and two different ventilation systems (high inlet and outlet, low inlet and outlet) were tested. The ventilation system with low inlet and outlet resulted in lower ammonia concentrations at the animal level but the same emission rates through the exhausted air were measured.
New Injection Technique – Direct Ground Injection (DGI registered)
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The pressures tested for the injection are 500 and 800 kPa (72,52 and 116 psi). The authors present their results as being preliminary and more research will follow. The advantage of such an application system is that the stones in soil would have little effect on the application and since the application is not done mechanically there is no injectors wearing and no stone lifting. Also, the soil is less disturbed than with the mechanical injection and manure injection can be done with low damage to grass land. Application rates below 45 m3/ha work best but the rate can be increased to about 80 m3/ha before manure appears on top of the soil. Very cohesive soil (clay and loam soils) are not suitable for the use of this injection technique as manure penetration is difficult. More work would need to give information on the work rate and the economic of the DGI technique. Comparison between more conventional injection systems and DGI would also be interesting.
Potential for the Psychrophilic Anaerobic Treatment of Swine Manure Using a Sequencing Batch Reactor.
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The psychrophilic anaerobic treatment is realized at temperatures ranging between 5 to 25 C. This anaerobic treatment is more promising under Canadian conditions than mesophilic and thermophilic anaerobic processes where higher temperatures in the reactor has to be maintained. The results presented are promising however the experiment were done on a laboratory scale as this type of treatment is technically feasible on a larger scale, it is stable and easy to operate. The investment cost of such equipment are not discussed.
Uniform Terminology for Livestock Production Facilities
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This gives general terminology for livestock production facilities. General structures and environment, farmstead planning and arrangement, housing environment, structural components, materials and design, livestock terms, feed and watering equipment domestic water and waste system terms and farmstead electrical terms are discussed.