Feeding pregnant sows with relation to back fat and body activity for optimizing reproductive performances

Posted in: Production by admin on January 1, 2005 | No Comments

Excessively thin or fat sows at the end of pregnancy show reproductive problems. Along three phases, individualized feeding of pregnant sows were studied, aiming at homogenizing their energy reserves at farrowing. In the first phase, 108 sows were fed relatively to their body condition at breeding. Secondly, 92 sows were fed relatively to their back fat and weight at breeding. Thirdly, diets of 129 sows were similarly calculated, but aimed at slow or rapid deposit of maternal tissues. Diets were also adjusted repeatedly to back fat evolution. Average digestible energy (DE) needs has been accurately calculated, since the average residual energy (ingestion – needs) approached zero. Back fat thickness of sows at farrowing was 21,4, 20,3 and 20,9mm for the three phases, values close to the 21mm objective. However, back fat and residual energy varied significantly (10,2mm – 37,1mm and –12,5 – 13,2MJ/d, respectively). In all phases, the residual energy varied more closely together with the total needs than with the ingested energy. This emphasizes the importance of carefully measuring weight and back fat for accurate calculation of the needs. The activity of sows could not explain the difference between energy supply and requirements. Adjustment of energy supply to back fat could not reduce the difference between the thinnest and fattest sows. This program of rapid maternal tissue deposit lacked beneficial effect and reduced litter size. Individual diet adjustment cannot be recommended, but rather to average it for groups of sows similar at breeding, with regular weighing and ultrasound testing.

Dose-dependent Effects of Resistant Potato Starch in the Diet on Intestinal Skatole Formation and Adipose Tissue Accumulation in the Pig

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Resistant starch (RS) intake leads to a reduction of apoptosis in the pig colon and thus to a reduction of skatole in the carcass. To determine the minimal amount of RS which is required for the effect, diets with varying amounts (20, 30 and 40%) of RS were fed to barrows and gilts. Controls
were fed instead with 55% pre-gelatinized starch. Skatole was determined after slaughter in distal colon content and in adipose tissue (flare fat and belly fat). Resistant starch led to a dose-dependent reduction of skatole in the gut content from 134 lg/g dry matter (controls) to 4.8 lg/g in the 40% group. Flare fat concentrations were decreased from 159 to 20 ng/g fat and belly fat concentrations from 64 to 16 ng/g fat. Strategies to improve sensorial quality by feeding RS
continuously or for only 1 week prior to slaughter are discussed.

Selection for placental efficiency in swine: Genetic parameters and trends

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Selection for daily gain, loin-eye area, backfat thickness and intramuscular fat based on desired gains over seven generations of Duroc pigs

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To develop an excellent line of Duroc breed in performance traits and meat quality traits, selection of that breed was
conducted over seven generations for growth rate (DG), real-time ultrasound loin eye muscle area (EM), backfat thickness (BF), and intramuscular fat content (IMF) based on desired gains.

The Science of Breeding

Posted in: Production by admin on January 1, 2004 | No Comments

Successful breeding herds require accurate heat detection, which is easy to learn. However, it is the ovulation time that varies and is difficult to predict. Good heat detection will help determine the optimal timing of insemination. Picking older boars and using them at least once a week is optimal for pheromones and for keeping the boar interested. It is important that boars be exposed to sows at a specific time because the sows standing reflex is so short. Nose to nose contact should be ensured and the boars should be actively rubbing or grunting to the sows. No more than 4 to 8 sows should be checked at a time. The ventilation should not be too fast, or the boar odour will be washed away. This is more a problem in the summer heat, and a solution could be the use of a “stink stick” (rag soaked in boar urine, semen, gel plug) to wave in front of the sows. Pre-estrus detection is also important to predict when standing heat will occur. Signs of pre-estrus include increased vocalization, increased activity, bar biting, climbing the crate, riding others, and/or a swelling/red vulva. It is important to note in gilts that the swollen vulva will actually reduce once estrus begins. Signs of estrus may include going off feed, restlessness, high-pitched grunt, rub marks on her back, pricked ears, and more. A sticky, tacky feel to vulva mucus is an indication of estrus as well. The generally agreed optimal insemination time is between 4 and 24 hours prior to ovulation. Using between 1 and 3 inseminations is effective, but inseminating too late in estrus can be detrimental. The life of the egg in the female is thought to be 8 hours, and insemination 4 hours beforehand is thought to be best. Inseminating too late can increase the chance of abnormal fertilization and may interfere with proper uterus preparation. Knowledge of weaning to estrus interval, duration of estrus, and estrus to ovulation intervals can help producers to set up an insemination schedule following certain characteristics of the sows heat (with special attention being given to gilts). Sows that return to heat early after weaning should be delayed and sows that return late should be bred immediately after detection.

Situation of Pork Production in Quebec

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The pork industry is of great importance to Quebec’s agricultural economy. Since 1981, Canada’s pork production has increased by 82%, with Quebec increasing 56%. Quebec’s contribution to overall Canadian production is shrinking. Considering the environmental difficulties faced in Quebec and the costs associated with it, there is a prediction of very weak growth in Quebec’s pork production. Despite the difficult situation in the hog markets since 2001 and the deterioration of the financial situation of certain producers, it is believed that most operations will survive the current crisis. Financing using debt is still the most often used method of financing. Using equity is interesting because it does not require short-term repayment of the debt but the return is over 15%. Very few agricultural operations can achieve that return. Quebec does not have any venture capital for agriculture, so banking support remains essential. Banks finance agriculture even though it is considered moderate risk. The industry faces a number of challenges, and the quality of pork from Quebec and the rest of Canada are no longer sufficient to ensure a place in the export markets. A better network and the creation of new synergies in the industry are essential to overcoming these challenges. These primary risks include market risk, management risk, production risk, environmental risks, and financial risks. In a period of good profitability it is important to build good working capital and not to overload the enterprise with non-productive investments. In periods of low prices it can be strategically worthwhile to take advantage of certain opportunities that the market offers: the acquisition of an enterprise at a low cost, and expansion projects. Production cost reducing investments and changes to improve performance in the herd should be realized in a depressed market in order to be at full production when prices improve.

2004 Michigan Swine (Farrow to Finish) Business Analysis Summary

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This report summarizes the financial and production records of 12 Michigan, farrow to finish, swine farms. To be included, the farms must have produced at least 50 percent of gross cash farm income from one or a combination of fat hogs, feeder pigs and cull breeding hogs sales. The records came from Michigan State University’s TelFarm project and the Farm Credit Service system in Michigan. The values were pooled into averages for reporting purposes.
Farm records were included if a farm financial summary was completed on 2004 data including beginning and ending balance sheets, plus income and expenses. The data were checked to verify that cash discrepancy was less than 10% of gross cash inflow and that debt discrepancy was less than $1,000. While considerable variation in the data exists, average values are reported in the summary tables below.

The simultaneous determination of short chain fatty acid, monosaccharides and ethanol in fermented liquid pig diets

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Confinement of Livestock

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In the latter part of the twentieth century, animal agriculture underwent a major transition to intensive livestock operations. These operations are more economically viable and provide food at
a lower cost to the consumer. Efficient livestock operations now enable each farmer to feed many more people than in the past.
Many livestock operations achieve efficiency by raising large numbers of animals in smaller spaces.While providing for most of the animals’ needs, some of these confinement production systems restrict their movement. They may also limit the ability of animals to exhibit some normal behaviours.
The Canadian Agri-Food Research Council developed the Recommended Codes of Practices for the Care and
Handling of Livestock. The Codes are based on technical input from producers, animal scientists,
veterinarians, and representatives of the humane movement. These Codes are part of the regulations in The Animal Care Act of Manitoba. As such, they specify the guidelines for livestock production pertaining to the treatment of animals. The Act also outlines the “Duties of the Owner” regarding
responsible animal care. Producers who fail to comply with the Act may be subject to prosecution in Manitoba.

Weaning Litters from Hyper-prolific Sows

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A hyper-prolific sow can produce 60+ piglets in her lifetime. It requires good management practice to obtain the 27+ weaned pigs per sow per year. New gilts brought into the herd must be managed to obtain maximum reproduction. Proper estrus stimulation should be performed with a mature boar for a minimum of 10 minutes per day. Gilts should be bred at 16 mm back fat at 210 days of age and no less than 125 kg. This prevents breakdown of body reserves for energy. These gilts should be kept on a gilt developer diet rather than a regular gestating sow diet. Regular techniques can be followed for service timing and management of wean to estrus interval. Movement and mixing of gilts should be minimized, and back fat should be measured at breeding, 60 days into gestation, and 110 days into gestation. The sow should have 19 mm at breeding, and if not the sows feeding should be changed to alter body condition. Targets at lactation should be no more than a 3 mm loss of back fat and for the piglets to gain 240 g/day for 21 days. Gilts and sows should be grouped by farrowing history and/or body condition. There should be a hygienic farrowing kit kept on hand with lube, a cord, hibitane, a dish, and O.B. sleeves. Oxytocin wrapped in ice packs and needles/syringes should also be included. At entrance into the farrowing room they should not be overfed so that feed intake during lactation can be maximized. Heat lamps should be provided in the rooms to avoid chilled piglets, but adequate fresh airflow is necessary. Individual sow cards help to monitor each sow in the room. Farrowing assistance should be given to sows that are having difficulties to avoid a lot of stillbirths (hygienic procedures should be adhered to). Fresh born piglets should be dried, put on a dry mat underneath a heat lamp, and fed colostrum immediately. If a sow or gilt appears to be nervous and unease, place the piglets in a ring under the lamp and only release them once the sow has calmed down. After farrowing, oxytocin should be given to clear the sow of any more debris. Hyper-prolific sows require a great deal of attention to reach maximum potential. Cross fostering should be done within the first 24 hours. Split suckling can help the smaller piglets to catch up if they are in a large litter. Nurse sows should have adequate body condition to support the fall-behind piglets.