Genomics Lets Pork Industry Be Selective
A reference population of pigs were genotyped in order to determine traits of interest for producers. Once the genes of interest are identified, they can be selected for in the future so that the herd will include those traits. Traits that can be investigated include...
Piglet Nutrition Research Feeds Hunger for Knowledge
Micronutrients are needed in small quantities and are essential elements. Three that are transferred from the sow to the piglet after birth are copper, vitamin A and vitamin D. Naturally these are obtained by soil, plants and UV light but these sources are not present...
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...
Worried About Pig Stress? Research Offers Reassurance
There are many stressors in a pig life. These include both social and environmental aspects and can have a negative affect on the immune system and health as well as performance, growth and meat quality of the pigs. Pig stress has a large impact to...
Just Say No to Drug Resistance
Antimicrobial resistance is a worldwide concern since bacteria or viruses are evolving to be immune to antibiotic treatments. Using antibiotics needs to be significantly reduced, with livestock animals having more restricted access to them. In Canada, they can no longer be used for growth promotion...
African Swine Fever: The Heat is On
African Swine Fever poses a huge risk to the global pork sector, with it currently spreading throughout China and Europe. It will most likely arrive in North America as well so producers need to be prepared. Symptoms to look for include fever, difficulty standing, weakness,...
African Swine Fever a Hot Topic in Banff
African Swine Fever is a contagious hemorrhagic disease that affects all ages of pigs with a very high mortality rate. It is currently spreading through Europe and China and is largely spread through human activity. This disease is an increasing concern for the Canadian pork...
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...
Grasping at Straw to Boost Sow Milk Yield
Increasing sow milk yield is an important area of research since it helps with piglet growth. Sows are often aggressive due to restricted feeding so increasing satiety was investigated to see if performance was improved. Processing of straw improved the energy digestibility, with stronger effects...