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Effect on Group Size on Grower Finisher Pigs

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Positively Impacting the Carcass by Adding Fat to the Diet

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Dietary enzyme improves nutrient digestibility of canola meal-diets

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A trial was conducted with cannulated weaned pigs to study effects of a dietary enzyme on nutrient digestibility. Supplemental enzymes that degrade some of the VSP were useful in improving ileal digestibility of energy and amino acids, but not total tract digestibility of energy.

Clogging and flow reduction in soil materials by ponded hog manure

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Earthen manure storages (EMS) offer an economically viable means of storing manure as compared to concrete or steel tanks. However, ground water contamination is a concern if the EMS is not constructed properly. Research from Quebec suggests that liquid manure can cause clogging and a great reduction in seepage rates. To confirm these findings, a similar study was conducted. Findings showed that liquid hog manure does effectively clog soil pores, as flow rate was decreased 100 to 1000 times with little effect by texture. Clogging can be easily disturbed and appears to be a surface effect. Warmer temperatures and biological activity might also disrupt this clogging effect. Therefore, the presence of clogging should not be used as a substitute for properly chosen and well engineered earthen materials in manure storages.

Nutrient digestibility in barley diets fed to grower pigs can be improved with dietary enzymes. The response to enzymes depends on the specific barley sample included in the diet. Ingredient evaluation and enzyme supplementation should be integrated to optimize overall nutrient utilization and to maximize benefits of enzymes.

Mask use in swine barns reduces health effects

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Swine producers are exposed to dusts and gases when working in barns. Previous studies have shown that people who work in swine barns are at a greater risk of developing respiratory symptoms, decreases in lung function levels and increases in airway reactions. One method of reducing exposure to dust is by wearing a disposable respirator (mask) during barn work activities. This study compared subjects who spent 4 hour time periods in a barn wearing a mask to those who were not wearing masks. On average, a reduction in lung function of 8.12% was observed over a 4 hour period. Similar trends were seen in other measures of health status. It was concluded that a well-fitted disposable mask over the 4 hour period by persons previously unexposed to swine barn environment reduces respiratory symptoms and reductions in lung function. However, exposure to barn environment long term requires development of production and engineering control technologies to allow workers a healthful environment.