Validation of Sampling Techniques for Assessing Stress in Pigs by Salivary Cortisol
Cortisol is often used as a measure of stress in pigs. Multiple samples are often taken to see how long it is elevated and when the peak of the stress response was. Adrenal function tests are used when studying long term stressors to see if...
Stress Response and Meat Quality of Pigs Transported in a Pot-Belly Truck During Summer and Winter
Transport of pigs involves a large number of potential stressors that could have an effect on meat quality and value of the carcass. Long distances and extreme weather conditions are often present in western Canada transportation. Dual purpose trailers can accommodate pigs or cattle, with...
Effectiveness of Various Methods of Deploying Nanoparticles to Reduce Odour and Gas Emissions from Swine Manure
Unique quantum properties are exhibited in nanoparticles as they have at least one dimension in the 1-100 nanometer scale. Nanoparticles have been of use for environmental pollutant treatment and remediation. They are non-toxic and benign environmentally while flexible in deployment and highly reactive due to...
Evaluating Energy Usage and Various Energy Conservation Strategies for Swine Barns
Substantial energy input is needed in temperate regions for swine production. As energy prices increase, so do the costs, with the third largest variable for swine production being utilities. Energy conservation measures were examined by looking at current energy usage in order to improve the...
Evaluation of a Treatment Method to Control Hydrogen Sulphide Emission from Swine Manure
The oil industry developed a treatment approach that was modified to be used for the swine industry. This approach involves nitrate or molybdate to control swine manures' emission of hydrogen sulphide. Previous research was on closed systems where the levels of hydrogen sulphide in the...
Impact of Piglet Birth Weight on the Eating Quality of Pork
The larger the litter size, the smaller the birth weight of the piglet is. Fewer total muscle fibres are noted in low birth weight piglets and at market weight they often have larger fibres which may affect the eating quality. Birth weight does not have...
Starch Kinetics and Fibre Fermentation of Peas in Pigs
Genetic and environmental factors contribute to the variable DE and NE content of peas in pigs but chemical composition does not explain it. DE content and chemical composition were studied compared to the rate of fibre fermentation in the large intestine or the rate of...
The Efficacy of Eight Different Feed Additives on Mitigating the Effects of Deoxynivalenol (DON)
Fusarium moulds contaminating cereal and grains such as wheat and corn produce the trichothecene mycotoxin DON. Symptoms of ingestion include feed refusal, vomiting and can largely affect the financial viability of a commercial pig farm. Different feed additives can reduce the effects of the mycotoxin....
Impact of Feeding Micro-Aid® to Sows on Litter Performance
Micro-Aid® is produced from a plant extract and is used to mediate emissions from animal manures. It is an all-natural product, but it may reduce intestinal ammonia production and alter microbial populations. Some reports state that it may increase the level of immunoglobulins in colostrum...
Digestible and Net Energy Content of Peas in Weaned Pigs, Growing Pigs and Gestating Sows
Since peas have high DE, NE and lysine content, they have become an essential feed ingredient in swine production. Weaned pigs, growing pigs and gestating sows may have different DE and NE values. Different peas grown in Western Canada vary due to variable growing conditions...