Handling Stress During Marketing of Pigs from Large Groups
Pigs from conventional small groups are less socially tolerant compared to pigs from larger groups and fight more when in re-grouping scenarios such as marketing. Pigs from large groups are easier to load and handle as well. Fewer deaths have been recorded during marketing when...
Comparison of Management Factors Affecting Aggression in Group Housed Sows
When groups are formed in group housing of sows during gestation, some degree of aggression is present. This may affect farrowing weight and increases number of scratches, even though the aggression is usually short lived. Sows that were re-grouped within a few days of breeding...
Use of Nanoparticles to Control Gaseous Emissions from Swine Manure Slurry
Nanoparticles have unique properties due to nanoscale dimension and are highly reactive powder materials. Nanotechnology may allow odour and gas emission control from swine operations. Impact on ammonia, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide and gas mixture from swine slurry by commercially available nanoparticles was examined. A...
Benchmarking Energy Costs in Swine Barns
Energy intensive tasks are involved in swine production. As prices for energy increase along with greenhouse gas concerns, reducing energy use is crucial to reduce cost. Benchmark information was gathered to conduct energy audits documenting energy use in order to evaluate possible energy-saving measures for...
Application of a Biological Treatment Approach to Control Gaseous Emissions from Swine Operations
High levels of gases including hydrogen sulphide may be exposed to swine barn workers during in-barn manure handling tasks which may be dangerous to their health. Oilfields developed a biological treatment that may be able to adapt to the swine industry. Two mechanisms are used,...
Does the Energy of Peas Depend on Their Composition
Composition varies largely throughout pea samples in the Prairies. This variation may affect the energy value of the peas and therefore the energy supplied to the pigs. Protein and starch content had a wide variation while the energy variation was much lower, probably due to...
Impact of Piglet Birth Weight on Growout Performance and Carcass Quality
Reduced birth weight has consequences including changes in proportions of primary and secondary muscle fibres. This may effect adult muscle composition and eating quality of the meat. Reduced birth weight is related to increased litter size. By increasing the litter size by one, average birth...
Effect of Ractopamine in Finishing Diets: Economics
The beta-adrenergic agonist known to stimulate muscle growth and inhibit fat deposition known as ractopamine is the active ingredient in Paylean®, which was recently registered in Canada. The relative economics of this product will impact the final decision to use this feed additive. Costs include...
Effect of Ractopamine in Finishing Diets: Meat Quality
Ractopamine is the active ingredient in Paylean® and is known to stimulate muscle growth and inhibit lipid deposition. The impact on the eating quality of pork are unclear and few studies include taste evaluation. It is crucial to have the consumers acceptance of the pork...
Effect of Ractopamine in Finishing Diets: Performance and Carcass Composition
The active ingredient of Paylean® is ractopamine known to stimulate muscle growth and inhibit lipid deposition. It has recently been registered in Canada and is used to increase the profitability of pork production. Paylean was evaluated to see its effects on carcass characteristics, performance, carcass...