Western Hog Journal Fall 2016
Articles in the Fall 2016 Western Hog Journal Include: Hot issues: Traceability, Barn Fires Public want insight on the source of their food Pig barns are very difficult to evacuate in case of fire due to difficulty in moving animals and large volume of animals. With...
Western Hog Journal Summer 2016
Articles in the Summer 2016 Western Hog Journal Include: Science: Seeking the best flooring slat and gap widths Guidelines are being developed to select and design slatted flooring in group sow housing to improve sow comfort and health while maintaining ease of manure removal. Developing a...
Western Hog Journal Spring 2016
Articles in the Spring 2016 Western Hog Journal Include: Hot Issues: "Humane" Pork Wanted in Eastern Canada There is more push for natural, humane, antibiotic-free meat and crate-free raised pigs. Industry News: Alberta Goes to Bat for Producers, Olymel, ATRAHAN tickled pink with new pork partnership Alberta...
Western Hog Journal Banff 2016
Articles in the Banff 2016 Western Hog Journal include: Clear Path for Future of Canadian Hog Industry, Pork export Markets and Trade Agreements Three areas to focus on for the future include animal welfare, health and nutrition as well as environmental sustainability. Current trade agreements...
Weaner Transport: Journey Duration Influences Piglet Physiology
Meat quality and animal welfare are negatively affected by transport as it is a stressful experience, but an integral part of pork production. Factors that affect market pigs include stocking density, vibrations, temperature fluctuations, total time off food and water and noise. Weaned piglets will...
Breeding Sow Mortality and Euthanasia
As pigs are becoming more prolific, the average mortality and euthanasia of breeding sows has doubled to 10%. There are many causes, the main ones were examined. The leading cause of death and euthanasia are prolapses accounting for 25-50% of them. Lameness and serious injuries...
Making Cents of Enrichment
Enrichment can be easily overlooked. It is now listed in the Canadian Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs that multiple forms of enrichment must be provided to improve their welfare. Enrichment reduces problematic behaviours like belly-nosing and tail-biting. It encourages normal...
Managing Water Intake, Auditing Best Management Practices
Water is the nutrient that is required in the greatest amount, though it often receives the least amount of attention. Finisher pigs' water intake is up to three times their feed intake, though a lot of the water intake reported includes water wastage. Nipple drinkers...
Finishing Facilities
Small changes have a large impact on the profitability of the operation in regard to finishing facilities due to the length of it. 16 finishing facilities were audited with many achieving a score above 80% for the adoption of best management practices. An area for...
Nursery Facilities, Auditing Best Management Practices
Weaned pigs require a good environment without drafts, is dry with fresh air, water and feed in order to optimize nursery performance. Out of the 18 nursery facilities audited, management practices were good, though improvement can be made in regard to adopting enrichment. Only 11%...