Listen Up: Pig Ears Help Predict Quality
Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) can scan different part of the pig ears in order to classify carcasses in terms of high or low meat quality traits like fatty acid profile, fat depth, and lean and fat content. This process is more difficult on live pigs as...
The Ceiling’s the Limit in Barn Repair Options
Barn deterioration happens at a rapid pace in the swine industry due to conditions including high moisture, varying temperature, corrosive gases and the presence of microorganisms and dust. Components like the walls, attics, ceiling and eaves are often affected. Renovations are costly and often need...
Imaging is Everything in Pork Assessment
Rapid methods that are non-invasive are needed to assess pork quality objectively. The current method is inconsistent since it uses a subjective approach involving colour and water holding capacity. Hyperspectral imaging can objectively grade pork on different quality attributes, following the standards if the National...
Slat Width Study Fills Knowledge Gaps
Improper flooring can lead to a number of leg and foot problems for sows. The second most common reason for culling sows is lameness and it is an even more important issue in group housing since moving around is crucial to access resources like food...
Infrared Camera Could Keep Producers in the Black
A thermographic camera uses infrared radiation to form an image and may be able to detect diseased animals by identifying those who are losing heat. A single camera can be aimed at a pen and all animals in view would be in the image. This...
Good Things Come in 3D for Pork Researchers
3D vision systems can be used to rapidly and objectively assess hog carcass quality. The current evaluation system focuses on fat and lean carcasses, but the amount of each is not of too much importance, it's the location of each that really matter. The belly...
On Farm Automation Takes Off
Collecting data is an important part of farming with trends moving towards precision farming, though it can be a time consuming process so new ways of doing this task are being looked into. Automation including 3D vision technology and individual water recording systems have a...
Pork Quality: How to Assess without the Mess
New technology is being developed to help assess pork quality more efficiently. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) shows promise with identifying water holding capacity, including meat colour, cooking loss and drip loss. Meat composition may also be able to be determined by the amount of fat...
High Hopes for Hi-Tech Pork Research
New technology is being created to help the pork industry move forward through developing indicators of carcass value, welfare and performance. A few of these studies include developing a 3D vision system that can assess carcass value, using infrared cameras to identify sick pigs and...
Cooling Systems for Pigs a Hot Topic
Transportation needs to be properly ventilated for pigs as they do not have sweat glands and often overheat which can be fatal. Most pig transport vehicles in Canada do not have a cooling system in place. Water misting systems can be used to cool down...