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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:
Continuous Housing of Dairy Cows
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Research Watch by admin on April 5, 2012 | No Comments
Continuous housing of dairy cows is a controversial topic in the UK. Grazing is considered to be a more humane way of keeping dairy cows but has draw backs like lower milk outputs and welfare problems such as heat stress and hunger periods. European herds vary in style but in some regions up to 50% of herds are kept in continuously housed operations. Problems that arise in continuously housed operations are generally a result of management being unable to handle welfare, sanitation and feeding properly.
Mastitis In Dairy Heifers
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Research Watch by admin on | No Comments
Dairy cows infected with mastitis are generally diagnosed when they are mature, around two and a half years old. Studies have shown that cows can become infected as early as six months old, going 45% of their life untreated. It is suggested that producers look for mastitis at the time of preg check or AI when the animal is being handled anyway. Infected heifers should be separated from non-infected heifers to avoid comprimising the dairy herd.
Elevate Calf Hutches For Better Ventilation
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Research Watch by admin on April 3, 2012 | No Comments
A study done at Washington State University found that raising calf hutches off the ground can increase ventilation and lower temperatures in the hutches improving calf health and welfare. A hutch raised off the ground kept temperatures down during the hot times of the day, while a hutch on the ground had higher temperatures than outside, causing an increase in breathing. Increased respiration indicates a level of heat stress.
Fertilizer Use Responsible for Increase in Nitrous Oxide in Atmosphere
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Research Watch by admin on April 2, 2012 | No Comments
Nitrogen Isotope ratios have made it possible to distinguish which N2O particles came from fertilizer as opposed to naturally occurring methods. A study found that fertilizer has a role in recent increases of N2O in the atmosphere. The researchers believe this information should be used to alter fertilizer application techniques to save the environment and buy sometime in the fight against global warming.
Pig Behaviour: Cameras Catch What Humans Miss
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Research Watch by admin on March 30, 2012 | No Comments
A study was done looking at pig behavior and reaction to humans. A researcher recorded pig reactions using the human eye when she entered a pen, at the same time photos were taken to record how the pigs reacted. It was found that the camera caught behavioral signs of the pigs that the human missed.
Global Investment in Sustainable Agriculture Needed
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Research Watch by admin on March 29, 2012 | No Comments
Scientific leaders from13 countries have come up with recommendations for the world as it faces climate change and an increasing demand for food. Some suggestions proposed were investment in sustainable agriculture and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The scientists also suggested that better diets should be imposed to avoid a rash of dietary related diseases.
Measuring farmers’ attitudes to animal welfare and health
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Research Watch by admin on | No Comments
This article is an abstract of a paper that investigated what animal welfare means to farmers. The study found that farmers perceive animal welfare as being about animal health and comfort in particular.
Loading Facilities for Market Hogs: Saskatchewan’s Top Ten
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Research Watch by admin on March 26, 2012 | No Comments
Load-outs can be a stressful and time consuming experience. Poor load-out procedures can result in downer pigs and death losses. By looking at 10 different load out systems, researchers were able to identify key aspects of well built, low stress handling systems that are beneficial to producers. Recommended practice indicates that ramp angles should be less than 20°, that ramps should be fitted with cleats and have a non‐slip surface. It is recommended that loading facilities be well lit. Also behavior of the people doing the load-out has significant effects on the procedure. All factors, lighting, design, and handling techniques, should be looked at when trying to improve load-out procedures.
Weaning Management
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Research Watch by admin on | No Comments
Weaning is very stressful for calves because they are separated from their mothers, cut off from milk, mixed with other animals and put in a new environment. A study found that if calves were given a nose clip that cut them off from their mother’s milk, but still remained near their mothers, the calves ate more after being weaned and made 96.6% less noise than calves that were abruptly weaned. Also fence line weaning appeared to make the process easier on calves.
Electrocution May Ease Concerns About Timely Piglet Euthanasia
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Research Watch by admin on March 15, 2012 | No Comments
A new devise used for euthanizing young pigs has proven to be effective. Electrocuting young pigs was not possible because currents would not penetrate past the pigs skin. This new method will be able to euthanize the pig quickly and is easy to use. Preliminary tests found that the device was successful in making the animals loose consciousness within 3-5 seconds. The study found this to be a humane way of euthanizing pigs with benefits to the person carrying out the procedure.