Productivity of Sows and Gilts in Various Management Programs with ESF
Numerous consumer groups are advocating for group housing for sows due to the restriction of movement in gestation stalls. Ensuring appropriate feed levels and minimizing aggression can be challenging in group housing. Electronic sow feeders are an option for group housing as it allows one...
Large Group Auto-Sort: Potential and Problems
Large Group Auto Sort (LGAS) applies electronic technology to manage grow-finish pigs and is relatively new. It can be cost effective to assemble many animals into a pen by using similar weights derived from electronic sorting scales and sorting gates. Due to mixed reviews, more...
Space Allowance for Finishing Pigs Affects Productivity, Health and Behaviour
Animal care and economic implications are very involved in space allowance for finishing pig production. Space allowance and group size was investigated along with productivity measurements. For both large and small groups, average daily gain was reduced when space allowance decreased at around the same...
Belly Nosing, Belly Suckling, and Tail Biting in Early Weaned Pigs
A problem associated with early weaning of piglets is a higher incidence of behavioural issues including belly directed behaviour. Two forms of belly directed behaviour are belly nosing and belly sucking. These two forms were observed in relation to tail biting and other oral-nasal behaviours...
Belt Conveyor Manure Separation System: Impact on Odour and Gas Emissions
Handling large volumes of manure from livestock operations led to environmental concerns, so innovative strategies are being explored to manage manure in an environmental and economical manner. A tilted belt conveyor (BC) was examined to replace the slatted portion of the pen to separate feces...
Impact of Drinking Water Sulphate Levels on Gas Emissions and Manure Nutrients
A major environmental concern for the swine industry are odour and gaseous emissions. Sulphur containing compounds are some of the most odourous components of swine. Drinking water quality on air emissions and swine manure nutrients were assessed. Up to 1,800 ppm of sulphate in drinking...
Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Covered or Uncovered Earthen Manure Storage
Average season and annual emissions were calculated for different earthen manure storage technology. Nitrous oxide and surface emissions were negligible. As ambient temperature increased, so did emissions as promotion of more biological activity occured. Straw-covered systems reduced carbon dioxide and methane by 57 and 85%...
Reducing H2S Exposure Through a Water Spray Method and Monitoring
Hydrogen sulphide is a dangerous gas that is commonly found in swine operations. Reducing the amount of this gas is of great interest in order to keep the workers and animals safe. Hydrogen sulphide is water soluble so theoretically, spraying water during agitation may allow...
Manure Scraper System Reduces Hydrogen Sulphide Levels in Swine Barns
Manure management tasks such as pulling pit-drain plugs put workers at risk of hydrogen sulphide exposure. In order to reduce the production of hydrogen sulphide, an in-barn manure handling system that provides more frequent and complete removal of manure from production rooms was investigated. Gas...
Measuring Ammonia Emissions from Urine Puddles
Ammonia is a common gas found in pig barns that has a strong odour and can irritate the workers exposed and have environmental consequences. The main sources of ammonia in pig housing units are the urine puddles and slurry pit. Barn floors have plenty of...