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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:
Large-Group Housing: A Survey of Canadian Pork Producers
Posted in: Production by admin on January 1, 2007 | No Comments
Large-group housing of grower and finisher pigs has had a tremendous growth in popularity in recent years due primarily to increases in herd size, available automation in sorting and positive producer experiences with increasing group size. Yet, North American producers have had mixed reactions to both large-group housing and auto-sorting. This survey was conducted by the VIDO Swine Technical Group (VSTG) to synthesise the expertise and experiences of producers using the LGH system. The VSTG is a voluntary group of producer industry representatives and Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization staff. Its mandate is to develop a multidisciplinary approach to common production issues and conduct knowledge transfer activities. The survey was conducted between September and November of 2006. LGH barns in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta were targeted with mailed-out surveys, and responses were received from 120 barns representing more than 187,000 pig finishing spaces. The survey addressed issues such as training, animal health and welfare, performance, equipment and facilities and economics. The results were compiled by VIDO staff and analyzed by the VIDO Swine Technical Group members. Respondents indicated that problems with the auto-sort system could be as simple as incorrect scale settings, power failures or airline leaks. Success in managing the auto-sorter as a tool will dictate the success in not only weighing and sorting pigs, but in maintaining performance throughout the growing period. The greatest potential negative impact of the LGH/auto-sort system (LGAS) system was to restrict feed when feed was used as the lure to get animals through the auto-sorter. When this is done, it requires that all other factors optimizing feed intake (such as feeder space per animal being increased, feeder type, daily maintenance, reducing ‘out of feed’ events due to plugged feeders, feeder location and spacing) need to be optimized. In general there were fewer problems when pigs were trained to gradually use the sorter, when feed court size was optimized and feeder space was increased. Most respondents did not notice a significant difference in operating costs. More than 80 per cent of respondents would install a large-group housing system in the future.
Making Pork from Feed
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The pork category continues to expand worldwide. Many inputs influence the business of pork, but certainly feed or nutrients have a large influence. Nutrients provide a cornerstone in supporting efficient pork production. Proven processes are critical to match nutrient demands of pigs with nutrient supplies from ingredients. Traditionally, locally grown grains were mixed and fed to pigs by land-based pork producers so as to create and capture more value. Today, the focus has shifted from feed to nutrients, from swine to pork and from cost to value. The key lies in aligning the nutrient demands of the pig’s metabolism to the nutrient supplies from ingredients, so as to create more customer value for today’s measures of pork production. From 1998-2005 overall pork output kept pace with total meat growth of 18%, growing 16% respectively in metric tons. Pork consumption per capita remained strong at 15.6 kg in 2003, second only to seafood consumption at 16.1 kg. Cost of production was estimated at $ 1.18 per kg across 13 countries in 2006. Low cost of production depends upon rigorous production standards of sow productivity, pig growth efficiency and herd livability. Cost control remains a key measure to long-term competitiveness, although continued focus on creating value through unique pork products is growing. New standards have been placed on production firms in the interest to differentiate the pork produced. The key is to ensure these requirements align to deliver long-term customer value, so that a region’s competitiveness remains viable to produce pork. Traditional supply-side production models are being adjusted to address emerging demand-side requirements. Tomorrow’s standard will involve specialized streams of pigs produced to demanding customer requirements with limited variation. This contrasts the traditional commodity pork of the past. With this change, effective marketing and branding will become even more important to the business. The business of pork depends upon keen inputs. One such input, nutrients, remains central to efficient pork production. New discoveries and new applications will continue to deepen our understanding of nutrient demands, nutrient supplies and nutrient efficiency of the pig. These are exciting times for courageous and visionary leaders as they consider tomorrow’s pork production.
Evaluation of fruit–vegetable and fish wastes as alternative feedstuffs in pig diets
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On the trail of the genes that govern immune response
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A University of Guelph researcher has been studying the genes associated with immune responsiveness in
pigs to help to develop healthier animals. Prof. Bonnie Mallard of the Ontario Veterinary College’s
Department of Pathobiology wanted to develop some lines of pigs where she knew exactly what the genes were at the very important genetic locus known as the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC). A locus is a position on a chromosome, the threadlike structures found in the cell’s nucleus, which carry genetic information in the form of genes. Genes within this locus are very important in regulating
immune response and disease resistance.
The Manitoba HACCP Advantage Guidebook
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This guidebook is intended to be a companion and interpretative guide to the
Manitoba HACCP Advantage Program Manual. The Program Manual details the
requirements of the Manitoba HACCP Advantage program, and this guidebook
provides practical assistance to implement those requirements.
The GMP program standards and HACCP plans can be implemented without this
book; however, it will prove a valuable aid in system development and
implementation. The information and examples presented are specific to the
program and will help you understand its requirements.
The book begins with a basic explanation of HACCP and the components of the
Manitoba HACCP Advantage, and then takes you through the main steps of
system development, implementation, maintenance and certification. Sample
forms and checklists are provided. Using the principles and concepts introduced,
you can develop and implement a HACCP system specific to your facility.
In addition to the information provided here, you will need an adequate
understanding of food safety principles and the hazards associated with the
products you produce.
'A Century of Achievement' – Telling Testimony to Agriculture Progress in Ontario
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In order to help the public recognize and appreciate how
far Ontario agriculture has come, a research project known
as “A Century of Achievement” was launched. The final report,
chock full of hard numbers and images which demonstrate
agricultural progress in the swine, dairy and poultry sectors
over the last century, will allow agricultural spokespersons to
do justice to agriculture’s good news story. “A Century of Achievement” provides many numbers to
illustrate the extent of the changes that have taken place.
For example:
• The number of hog farms has decreased over the last 100
years from more than 120,000 to below 3,300.
• The number of hogs on Ontario farms has increased from
1.5 million to 3.6 million.
• The amount of pork produced per sow per year has more
than doubled in the last 50 years.
• The number of days to reach market weight (100 kilograms)
in the past 20 years has decreased by one-fifth.
• Water requirements to raise a pig from birth to market
weight in the last half-century have decreased by 40
per cent.
• The market weight of a hog carcass has increased by
approximately 15 kilograms per hog in the past 30 years.
The report provides considerable information
on improved nutrition, enhanced health and better
management, which can be used by the feed industry,
veterinarians and farm organizations to convey to public
audiences the successes in animal production and the
increased efficiency with which the industry uses Ontario’s
resources.
Copies of the full report are available by contacting
James White at (905) 453 1174. Further information can be
obtained by contacting either results@primus.ca or ded@reach.net.
Manure Cheat Sheets
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These Powerpoint slides contain information on typical nutrient concentrations of manure as well as how to maximize manure value when applying to cropland. Other slides refer to conducting manure testing and nutrient avialability as well as how to store temporary litter piles.
Recent Developments In Genetic Improvement Of Pigs
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Computer modeling for quantitative genetics has improved selection for traits such as growth rate, back fat, disease resistance, and meat quality. Today genetics are used in closed high health status herds to improve characteristics of the pigs (such as growth, feed conversion, and back fat) in an attempt to differentiate the quality of one producer from another. Nucleus herds as well as commercial herds are seeing genetic improvement in both the purebred lines as well as the commercial lines. Growth, reproduction, and carcass traits are considered crossbred traits, but genetic selection of purebreds and crossbreds are essential. Genetic improvement companies have worked to improve these characteristics as well as other industry important characteristics such as sow mortality and scrotal hernia. These companies have also responded to consumer demand via customized genetics. Genome mapping in the field of molecular genetics is helping to increase gene marking and the results will be seen soon. Genome mapping will help to improve reproduction, feed intake and growth, body composition, coat colour, meat quality, and disease resistance, as well as reduce negative effects such as “acid meatâ€. One challenge geneticists are attempting to tackle is genetic relationship to immunological traits and disease resistance. Particular focus is being given to PRRS, Haemophilus parasuis, and Salmonellosis.