The importance of the calcium:phosphorus ratio in maximizing the benefit of the phytase enzyme – Effect on total and soluble phosphorus output

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An experiment was undertaken to determine the effect of the ratio of calcium to total phosphorus in the diet on the effectiveness of the phytase enzyme, and also to determine the effect of the calcium:phosphorus ratio on the amount and form (soluble versus insoluble) of phosphorus excreted when the diet contains phytase. The use of phytase in pig diets is rapidly increasing as extensive research has documented its efficacy in improving the digestibility of phosphorus in cereal grains. This allows diets to be formulated with less total phosphorus, resulting in a reduced cost of feed and decreased phosphorus output in the manure. This will become even more important if and when environmental farm plans are based on phosphorus output in the manure rather than nitrogen, or in addition to nitrogen. It is also well known that as the animal’s intake of phosphorus declines, the calcium:phosphorus ratio becomes increasingly important. It was concluded that the differences in phosphorus output, due to either phytase or calcium:phosphorus ratio, are largely due to changes in the soluble inorganic fraction – the largest phosphorus fraction and the fraction which is thought to be responsible for problems of leaching. The effective use of phytase requires careful attention to the ratio of calcium to total phosphorus in the diet. Also, adding phytase to a swine diet is favourable environmentally, because it decreases output of both total and soluble phosphorus.

Performance Award for PSC Elstow Research Farm Inc.

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Saskatoon, SK., October 24, 2006: Brian Andries, Acting Farm Manager for PSC Elstow Research Farm Inc., is pleased to announce that for the second year in a row PSC Elstow Research Farm Inc. has won the Maple Leaf Performance Award for the largest average loin. “The award demonstrates the commitment of our staff to deliver a quality product by paying attention to details from the genetics to the final weighing of all animals prior to market.”

Joe Langen, Manager of Procurement at Mitchell’s Gourmet Foods in Saskatoon, “A research farm was not expected to do this well. We are aware that as part of the research program, frequently pigs must be marketed both too light and too heavy compared to the ideal commercial weight. It is our feeling that the combination of the herd management and the diligence of the staff to get the weights as close to optimum as the research program allows has really paid off in producing a consistently large loin”. This award is presented to demonstrate the importance of certain characteristics in the pig leaving the farm that benefit the packer as well as the retailer marketing this pork.

Brian Andries explains how they have been able to produce such consistent results. “Carcass performance is a combination of meeting the genetic potential of the animal with a feeding program that meets requirements at each stage of production and monitoring shipping weights at market closely. In this regard a new method of weighing every second week and making use of our knowledge of the growth rate in the barn we are able to predict accurately the weight gain and therefore the expected weight of the animal two weeks from now”. The result is an animal that meets the current grading grid with consideration of the impact of the economics of feeding versus weight gain in those days leading up to market day. This is accomplished with a practical biweekly weighing technique that minimizes labour while maximizing value to the farm.

Prairie Swine Centre Inc., located near Saskatoon, is a non-profit research corporation affiliated with the University of Saskatchewan, and is recognized globally for its contributions to practical, applied science in pork production in the disciplines of Nutrition, Engineering and Animal Behaviour. PSC Elstow Research Farm Inc. is a 600 sow farrow-to-finish production barn designed to provide commercial scale production facilities for the further development of near-market production research.

Does the energy value of peas depend on their composition?

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Summary
High variation in crude protein and starch contents is observed among peas collected in farms of Western Canada. The paper aims to evaluate the impact of that variation on the energy value of peas in pigs.

Introduction
Feed producers are concerned by the high variation of composition observed among the pea samples collected throughout the Prairies. However, it is unclear whether this variation affects the energy value of the peas.

Results and discussion
A total of 50 pea samples were collected in Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba in 2005. Their analysis confirms the high rate of variation in composition, especially in crude protein and in starch contents (Table 1). This is in agreement with the observations of the Canadian Grain Commission (20 to 26% for crude protein, Nang & Daun, 2004). However, a detailed analysis of the results shows that the majority of the samples had a protein content ranging from 23 to 24% of the dry matter (Figure 1).

In 1998, Zijlstra et al. determined the digestible energy (DE) of 11 pea samples collected in Western Canada and obtained DE values ranging from 3100 to 3740 kcal/kg. This represents a 20% variation, which is lower than the variation observed for crude protein and starch, for example. Unlike what is observed in cereals, no relationship could be established between the neutral detergent fibre (NDF) content and the energy value.
Different hypotheses can be emitted. First, the NDF content of peas does not reflect their actual dietary fibre content. Peas contain, on average, 10-12 % NDF whereas the real dietary fibre content ranges from 19 to 25% of the dry matter (Table 1). The difference is due to the fact that the NDF method with detergents is not appropriate for pulse grains and to the presence of soluble fibre, namely pectin and oligosaccharides. No information is available on the effect of these undetected components. Second, more than 90% of the pea fibres are fermented in the digestive tract of the pig and we do not know how this affects the digestive processes. Finally, fibre fermentation provides energy to the pig, in the form of volatile fatty acids, but to an extent that still needs to be determined.
Researchers at Prairie Swine Centre are currently working on the estimation of the net energy value of pea samples differing in composition. They aim to use Noblet’s equations of prediction. The latter are based on the composition and digestibility of the diet. Some equations are only based on composition (see example):

NE = 2790 + 4.12 x EE + 0.81 x Starch – 6.65 x Ash – 4.72 x ADF

where EE (ether extract) is the fat content and ADF the acid detergent fibre (ligno-cellulose) content (Noblet et al, 1994).

This equation was used here to estimate the NE value of the 50 pea samples and the results range from 2,460 to 2,680 kcal NE/kg. The range of variation (8%) is thus much lower than the variation observed for protein or starch contents.
According to that equation, ash is the main is factor that affects NE, whereas starch plays a limited role and protein has no effect at all. Peas are quite low in ash but the content is very variable. Wang and Daun (2004) observed higher variation than in the present study (1.3 to 3.4%) and ascribe the variation to potassium, which represents 40% of the total mineral content. The fat content is also an important component of energy but, as for ash, the levels in peas are very limited. The last component is ADF or ligno-cellulose but the latter is the most stable components of peas (from 6.5 to 8.6%; Wang & Daun, 2004).

Conclusion
In summary, it is likely that the variation in energy value of peas will be lower that what the variation in protein and starch contents might suggest because the latter don’t affect energy digestion very much and that the components that could affect energy supply are either present in low amounts in peas (ash, fat) or don’t vary very much (ADF).

Acknowledgements
Strategic funding provided by Sask Pork, Alberta Pork, Manitoba Pork Council and Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food Development Fund. Research is funded by Saskatchewan Pulse Growers and Alberta Pulse Growers.

New Board Members Appointed

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Saskatoon, SK., April 25, 2006: Dr. John Patience, President and CEO of the Prairie Swine Centre wishes to announce the appointment of two members of the Board of Directors at the Centre’s recent Annual Meeting. Joining the Board to fill a seat representing the grains industry is Mr. Arlee McGrath from Leroy SK. Representing the University of Saskatchewan on the Board will be Dr. Bryan Schreiner.

Arlee and Shirley McGrath operate a grain and livestock farm near Leroy, SK. McGrath Farms is an innovative joint venture grain operation involving a strategy of continuous education, marketing a variety of cereals, oilseeds, pulses and nutraceutical products. In 1997, McGrath Farms expanded into the livestock industry with the opening of Sinnett Pork Farm Ltd. Arlee has been a Sask Wheat Pool delegate, Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Board member, and is currently involved with the National APF Review Panel as well as the Saskatchewan CAISP Appeals Group.

Dr. Bryan Schreiner is Director of Research Services and Assistant to the Vice-President of Research at the University of Saskatchewan, positions he has held since 2003. During the previous 21 years, he was with the Saskatchewan Research Council, most recently as Vice-President of the Environment Branch. Dr. Schreiner was formerly a Director of the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers and President of Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan (APEGS). Bryan is an elected Fellow of the Geological Association of Canada.

Eric Peters, a pork producer from Steinbach, Manitoba and a Director since 2003, has been elected the Chair of the Board, replacing outgoing chair Bryan Perkins, a grain and pork producer from Wainwright, AB who served on the Board for 6 years.

Prairie Swine Centre Inc., located near Saskatoon, is a non-profit research corporation affiliated with the University of Saskatchewan, and is recognized globally for its contributions to practical, applied science in pork production in the disciplines of Nutrition, Engineering and Animal Behaviour.

The interaction of dietary energy and phytase on the performance of weanling pigs.

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SUMMARY
Adding 500 FTU/kg phytase enzyme to a barley, corn, SBM diet improved the performance of weanling pigs, regardless of the energy content of the diet. Growth of pigs fed low energy diets deficient in available P was equal to that of a high energy diet with sufficient aP.

INTRODUCTION
Approximately 60 to 80% of the phosphorus (P) in cereal grains and oil seeds is bound to phytate and unavailable to monograstics, including swine. Supplementing swine diets with the phytase enzyme improves P availability and retention (ie. Prairie Swine Centre, Inc., Annual Research Report, 2004). The phytate molecule complexes other minerals, proteins, and starch, however, the research examining the effect of the phytase enzyme on the utilization of these nutrients has demonstrated inconsistent responses and the conclusions are equivocal.

Phytase, a protein, is subject to heat damage and is thus not suitable for use in pelleted diets. However, the developer of the enzyme used in this study reported improved thermotolerance, thus we examined the efficacy of this enzyme in pelleted diets.

The overall objective of this experiment was to examine the interaction between phytase and dietary energy content. Secondly, the results we report are relevant for producers using pelleted feed.

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES
The experiment used a total of 406 pigs housed in two nurseries of 28 pens each. Pigs were started on the 42-day trial at 5 days post weaning (9.30 ± 0.51 kg). Pigs were blocked by weight and assigned to one of 7 dietary treatments. The treatments consisted of a positive control (PC) and 6 treatments arranged as a 3 x 2 factorial (3 dietary energy levels x 2 phytase levels). Diets were fed in two phases; phase 1 was fed for 2 weeks and phase 2 for 4 weeks. Diets were formulated using barley, corn, soybean meal, canola oil, spray dried plasma, red blood cells, and the necessary minerals, vitamins and amino acids to meet the requirements (except P) for pigs of this age. Energy, Ca and P content of the treatment diets is described in Table 1.

Pigs and feed intake were determined weekly. Faecal samples were collected at the end of each phase which will allow the determination of nutrient digestibility (to be reported later).

RESULTS and DISCUSSION
Supplementing diets with 500 FTU phytase/kg increased average daily gain (ADG) from 500 to 560 g/d (P < 0.01), feed intake (ADFI) from 900 to 950 g/d (P < 0.01) and feed efficiency (FCE) from 0.58 to 0.62 (P < 0.05; Figure 1, Table 2). Increasing the energy content linearly improved ADG and FCE (P < 0.02), and quadratically improved ADFI (P < 0.03). The phytase by energy interaction was not significant for any performance variable. This indicates that the improvement observed with phytase is not dependent on dietary energy content (Table 2). The ADG of pigs fed the PC diet, which was formulated to be adequate in Ca and P, and was higher in energy than the treatment diets, was similar to the ADG of pigs fed a diet containing 3.45 Mcal DE/kg regardless of phytase supplementation. When the pigs were fed the lower energy and 0 phytase treatment diets (treatments 4 and 6) the ADG was lower than seen with the PC (P < 0.05). However, the ADG of the low energy treatment diets was similar to the PC when these diets were supplemented with phytase (P > 0.05; Figure 1). From these results we conclude that the phytase enzyme, either directly or indirectly, improved energy availability to the pigs fed the lower energy diets in this experiment.

In our earlier work , the apparent digestibility of energy was not affected when weanling pigs were fed diets supplemented with 500 FTU/kg phytase. This both agrees and disagrees with various experiments reported by others. This discrepancy may be due to differences among experiments in nutrient concentrations, ingredients and length of feeding period. Explaining the effect of the phytase enzyme on overall performance is more apparently more complex than simply meeting the P requirements of the pig.

CONCLUSION
An improvement in performance was observed when weanling pigs were fed lower energy diets and supplemented with phytase. Further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanism responsible for this observation. The phytase enzyme retained efficacy when used in pelleted diets.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Strategic funding provided by Sask Pork, Alberta Pork, Manitoba Pork Council and Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food Development Fund. Specific funding for this project from Syngenta Animal Nutrition is gratefully acknowledged.

John Patience Receives Award for Excellence in Nutrition and Meat Sciences

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Saskatoon – Dr. John Patience, President and CEO of Prairie Swine Centre recently received the Award for Excellence in Nutrition and Meat Sciences from the Canadian Society of Animal Science (C.S.A.S.).

The award recognizes excellence in teaching, research or technology transfer in the area of animal nutrition or meat science. The award is sponsored by the Shur-Gain Division of Maple Leaf Foods, and is presented at the annual meeting of the society.

John’s list of accomplishments in nutrition research include expanding our knowledge of amino acid and energy metabolism, of water quality and utilization, of understanding and capitalizing on the variability of common feed ingredients, and of the importance of dietary electrolyte balance. In the citation the Society recognized John’s other accomplishments:
Ø A popular speaker at industry and academic events having made more than 200 presentations in 8 Canadian provinces, 14 U.S. states, and 5 other countries
Ø Former President of the C.S.A.S., former Assistant Editor of the Canadian Journal of Animal Science, former member of the editorial board of the Journal of Animal Science
Ø A current or former director of the Farm Animal Council of Saskatchewan, Pharmalytics, Agwest Biotech, and SPI
Ø Co-founder of the Western Nutrition Council and the Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium

“John’s contribution to important scientific issues is well recognized, but it is his focus on providing practical, application-oriented information that sets him apart in the industry” notes Bryan Perkins, of Perkins Family Farms, Wainwright, Alberta. “As Chairman of the Prairie Swine Center Board of Directors, and a pork producer, I have watched John build Prairie Swine Center into an internationally recognized scientific institution, that speak directly to industry needs.”

Prairie Swine Centre Inc., located in Saskatoon, is a non-profit research corporation affiliated with the University of Saskatchewan, and is recognized globally for its contributions to practical, applied science in pork production in the disciplines of Nutrition, Engineering and Animal Behaviour.

Space Allowance for Finishing Pigs Affects Productivity, Health and Behaviour

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Summary

The reduction in average daily gain due to reduced space allowance for pigs in both small and large groups occurs at a similar point as that previously reported in the literature (k = approximately 0.033 – 0.036 m2/BW(kg)0.667). Lameness was more common in the less spacious treatment during the final weeks of the study. Pigs in crowded conditions had fewer meals and less total time spent eating compared to the more spacious treatment. Space allowance can affect health and behaviour as well as productivity.

Introduction

Space allowance is an important consideration in finishing pig production as it has both economic and animal care implications. Producers must balance the efficiency of production while maintaining acceptable levels of animal care. Most studies on space allowance have been limited to the effects on animal productivity, and were designed to ‘stand alone’ and yield results specific to the conditions studied. In the case of space allowance, for which numerous studies have been published, it is possible to conduct an analysis of all of their results to obtain a more precise measure of the effects on productivity. We conducted such an analysis on previously published results on space allowance. We also conducted a study combining both space allowance and group size as a part of a larger series of studies on the effects of space allowance.

Experimental Procedure

We collected previously published material on the effects of space allowance on animal productivity. We restricted our analysis to average daily gain, feed intake and feed efficiency as these were consistently reported while few other variables were. We analysed the data on a relative basis, that is, the results of the more crowded treatments were expressed as a proportion of the least crowded treatment within each study. In this way we were able to control for housing conditions, general health, genotype and nutritional programs that differed among studies, but were consistent within each study. We expressed space allowance using the allometric equation Area = k * body weight0.667, which allowed us to use studies based on different final weights. To obtain a precise estimate of the point at which reduced space allowance results in a reduction in performance, we conducted a broken line analysis of the data.

We conducted a study on finishing pigs kept in either small (18 pigs/pen) or large (108 pigs/pen) per group, under two space allowances (0.52 vs 0.78 m2/pig; 5.6 vs 8.4 sqft/pig). Within group size we analysed production variables on a relative basis and applied a broken line analysis. We also examined the pigs for injuries and lameness, and observed their behaviour at 2-week intervals throughout the study. We limit our analysis of this study to the effects of space allowance for this article.

Results and Discussion

The data obtained from the literature resulted from studies in Canada, Europe and the United States (see Figure 1). Analysis of this data published identified the point at which space allowance began to reduce average daily gain as a ‘k’ value of 0.0336 m2/kg0.667. For a typical finishing barn with a target market of 115 kg, and making their first pull when 10% of their pigs reach this target, this ‘k’ value represents 0.72 m2/pig (7.75 sqft/pig). The space allowance per pig would differ if market weight or the 1st pull percentage varied from these levels. For every 1% reduction in space allowance below this level, average daily gain over the entire trial was reduced by an average of 0.33%. The same pattern was detected in the data on average daily feed intake. No effect of space allowance was seen for feed efficiency.

In our study we saw no significant difference in the effect of space allowance in the two group size treatments (Table 1). Average daily gain was reduced by crowding in both small and large groups. The broken line analysis indicated that average daily gain began to be depressed when space allowance fell below a k value of 0.036, slightly higher than the literature value. However, the difference would not be considered statistically significant. The key production result is that our average daily gain results identified a break point similar to previous studies.

In terms of health and injuries, the pigs in our less spacious treatment evidenced more lameness during the final weeks of the study. This is in agreement with our expectations that health problems associated with space allowance should only develop at the end of the study when pigs become more crowded. A second difference that we observed was that crowded pigs had fewer meals, of the same length as uncrowded pigs, and therefore less eating time. This pattern is that of an animal with a reduced appetite. In contrast, pigs in large groups, that had to travel further to eat, had fewer but longer meals, and maintained their total daily eating time. This ‘reduced appetite’ effect of crowding is supported by previous research indicating that crowded pigs will reduce their energy intake even if the feed is made more energy dense, which should have enabled the pigs to maintain daily nutrient intake if they wanted to.

Implications

Results obtained under conditions more typical of commercial production confirm that reductions in space allowance below a ‘k’ value of approximately 0.0336 m2/kg0.667 will reduce productivity. The effects of reduced space allowance may also be seen in health variables, such as lameness, but only near the end of the finishing period. The eating patterns of pigs in crowded conditions suggest a reduction in appetite rather than a simple restriction of feeder access.

Acknowledgements

Strategic program funding was provided by Sask Pork, Alberta Pork and Manitoba Pork. Specific project funding was provided by the National Pork Board (US), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

“The effects of reduced space allowance may be seen in both health and behaviour, as well as in productivity.”

Focus on the Future Conference 2006

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Pork Interpretive Gallery Announces Change of Operations

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Saskatoon, SK., September 22, 2006: Dr. John Patience, President of the Prairie Swine Centre, and Neil Ketilson, General Manager, Saskatchewan Pork Development Board (Sask Pork) wish to announce the transfer of management of the Pork Interpretive Gallery (P.I.G.) to Sask Pork.

As part of the development of the PSC Elstow Research Farm, a subsidiary of Prairie Swine Centre (PSC), the industry requested the barn provide a way for the general public to view modern pork production from a vantage point inside a barn. To this end a novel “gallery” approach was built into the barn design. John Patience sums up the industry reaction, “Throughout the two years of development and fundraising, and the most recent three years of operating the Pork Interpretive Gallery (P.I.G.), I have never been involved with a project which achieved and sustained so much grass roots support. Pork producers speak of this project with great pride and admiration, matched only by the enthusiastic comments we continually receive from people who have toured the facility.”

With financial and in-kind support from the pork industry, PSC has successfully operated the P.I.G. for the past three years. The gallery is a unique public communications vehicle and will now be an in-house project for Sask Pork. This will allow PSC to focus on its primary mandate of providing a Centre of Excellence in applied swine production research. “By transferring daily operating responsibilities for the P.I.G. to Sask Pork personnel there is a more appropriate link between organization mandate and the activities the organizations are involved with” notes Dr. Patience.

“The public’s perception of the pork industry is fundamental to the growth and development of the pork sector in this province” notes Neil Ketilson. “The Gallery complements Sask Pork’s communications and agri-education programs. To support the project, we have added a new staff member, Jessica Podhordeski, who joins the organization as Agri-Education Coordinator. Her role will include the management and promotion of the Pork Interpretive Gallery to schools, international visitors and the public.

The link between Prairie Swine Centre and the pork industry has always been important for both organizations and this change only further strengthens that relationship.

To book a tour call 1-866-PIG-TOUR (744-8687)., or visit www.porkinterpretivegallery.ca.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Located in PSC Elstow Research Farm, a 600-sow commercial farrow-to-finish barn, the redesigned attic space provides a professional, welcoming gallery with windows to view the pigs below. In addition, the facility uses a science-centre approach in providing guided tours, informative signage and interactive displays for visitors to learn the science and practice of modern pork production first hand in what has become known as a ‘living classroom’. To date the Pork Interpretive Gallery has hosted over 4,500 people, half of which are school-aged children and teachers. In addition to school groups the P.I.G. has hosted numerous international visitors, local government, pork producers and general public tours.

Prairie Swine Centre Inc., located near Saskatoon, is a non-profit research corporation affiliated with the University of Saskatchewan, and is recognized globally for its contributions to practical, applied science in pork production in the disciplines of Nutrition, Engineering and Animal Behaviour.

Saskatchewan Pork Development Board was established in April 1998, Sask Pork is a non-profit development board funded by a provincial hog check-off. The organization works on behalf of pork producers to ensure continued environmental, social and economic sustainability for the pork industry.

Key areas of activity include:
· Producer services including delivery of the Canadian Quality Assurance (CQA®) On-Farm Food Safety Program, Animal Care Assessment (ACA), and the Trucker Quality Assurance (TQA®) animal transport program.
· Funding of swine research accounts for nearly 30% Sask Pork’s annual total budget. Projects funded include those that focus on animal and human health, environmental, manure management, production issues, and pork quality.
· Industry development and sustainable production
· Product promotion including consumer and retail programs
· Provincial and national on-farm and off-farm policy development
· Communications and community relations
· Agri-Education and management of Pork Interpretive Gallery (P.I.G.) at Elstow, Saskatchewan
· Partnership Programming including the annual, international Pork Industry Symposium coordinated jointly by Sask Pork and the Livestock Development Branch of Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food.

The Development of Belly Nosing, Belly Sucking and Tail Biting in Early Weaned Pigs

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Summary

Observations were made on the incidence of belly nosing, belly sucking, tail biting and other oral-nasal behaviours of pigs weaned at 14 days-of-age, at intervals up to the finishing stage. Belly nosing peaked approximately 2 weeks after weaning at 5% of the time, while belly sucking remained at less than 1% of the time throughout the animal’s life. Tail biting only occurred in the finishing phase and occurred at approximately 0.5% of the time. Although the peak incidence of belly nosing by a pig was correlated with belly sucking, tail biting was only weakly related with any of the other behaviours.

Introduction

Early weaning of piglets, at less than 3 weeks of age, was widely adopted by the industry in the late 90’s. Although the practice has some distinct advantages, it is also recognized that it results in some problems and management must be very good. One of the problems associated with early weaning is a higher incidence of behavioural vices, such as belly directed behaviour. Close observation of pigs performing belly directed behaviour indicates that it exists in two forms, belly nosing and belly sucking. The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence and frequency of belly nosing and belly sucking behaviour in early-weaned pigs and how these relate to other oral-nasal behaviour of pigs, including tail biting, in the grow-finish stage.

Experimental Procedures

We studied 242 piglets, from 24 litters weaned at 14 days-of-age and observed belly nosing, belly sucking, other nosing (to other parts of the body) other sucking, and biting behaviours at 18, 23, 28, 50, 63 and 91 days-of-age. We used instantaneous scan sampling (observations at 5-min intervals) to determine the amount of time spent in each behaviour, and continuous observations (for 4 hours on days 21 and 35) to determine the frequency and bout lengths of each behaviour. Pigs were individually identified with paint and ear tags prior to observations in the nursery and finishing pens, respectively.

Results and Discussion

Belly nosing was found to begin within 4 days of weaning, peak at 23-28 days of age, and gradually decrease with age thereafter (Table 1). At its peak, pigs spent an average of 5% of their time, or 70 min/day belly nosing. Belly sucking increased with age throughout the nursery and reached a peak in the grow-finish phase. Pigs in the finishing phase spent approximately 1% of their time belly sucking, or about 14 min/day. The length of belly nosing and sucking bouts increased with age, ranging from 17 to 27 sec/bout for belly nosing, and 23 to 58 sec/bout for belly sucking. Other nosing remained fairly consistent at 2-4% of the time at different ages, as did other biting at 1-2% of the time. Other sucking was low until late in the finishing phase when it reached 4% of the time. Tail biting, recognized as a damaging behaviour, did not appear until the grow-finish phase and only reached 0.5% of the time, or an average of 3-4 min/day.

Our previous research indicated that there is considerable variation among piglets in how much belly nosing they perform, with some exceeding 10% of their total time. In this study we determined by correlation analysis that piglets that performed the greatest amount of belly nosing during the peak of this behaviour at 28 days-of-age were more likely to belly nose and belly suck other pigs in grow-finish. In general, tail biting was only weakly correlated with nosing and sucking behaviours in the nursery.

Conclusions

Belly nosing and tail biting peak at two distinctly different stages in a pig’s life, early nursery and finishing, respectively. A poor association between the two vices indicates that they probably originate from two different motivational systems. Other oral behaviours, such as nosing, sucking and biting directed at different parts of the body are relatively stable throughout the pig’s life to 91 days-of-age. Different management tools will be needed to control belly nosing and tail biting, as their causative motivations appear to be specific and distinct from each other.

Acknowledgements

Strategic program funding was provided by Sask Pork, Alberta Pork, Manitoba Pork, and the Saskatchewan Agriculture Development Fund.

“Different management tools will be needed to control belly nosing and tail biting, as their causative motivations appear to be specific and distinct from each other.”