Effect of Social Group Size on Aggressive Behaviour of Grower-Finisher Pigs in Fully-Slatted Floor Rearing System
Previous research mainly focuses on small group sizes but commercially larger sizes are becoming more common. Social behaviour in larger groups of pigs is not well understood, though they are likely to have different social strategies. These behaviours should be monitored in order to ensure...
Systems Engineering for Handling and Land Application of Solid and Semi-Solid Livestock Manure
To increase environmental sustainability and social acceptance of intensive livestock production, a top priority is research on manure handling and land application. Solid and semi-solid manure have had less research and development compared to liquid manure and slurry. Control of application rate of the product...
Simulating Ammonia Emissions from Slurry Pits
The main sources of ammonia in a pig-housing unit are the slurry pit and urine puddles. Less nitrogen is excreted when protein in the diet is decreased, while increasing fermented carbohydrates like sugar-beet pulp increases nitrogen excretion in the feces and less in the urine....
Greenhouse Gas Odour Emissions from Pig Production Buildings, Manure Storage and Manure Treatment Facilities
Livestock operations and manure management contribute largely to the agricultural sectors greenhouse gas emissions. Nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, methane and odour emissions were studied in Quebec and Saskatchewan swine operations. Carbon dioxide was the most prevalent of the greenhouse gases measured with the largest amount...
Impact of Combining a Low Protein Diet and Oil Sprinkling on Odour and Dust Emissions of Swine Barns
Oil sprinkling has been shown to be an effective dust control strategy. It also reduces gas emissions which may effect the odours emitted from the barn. To further investigate this area, protein diet with fermentable carbohydrates were included to see if a relationship was present...
A Low Protein Diet and Oil Sprinkling to Reduce Ammonia Emissions from Pig Barns
Ammonia concentrations have adverse effects on the environment and the health of workers and animals. Reducing dietary protein and using fermentable carbohydrates in diets previously resulted in reduction of ammonia emissions. Oil sprinkling may also have an impact on ammonia emissions. Fermentable carbohydrates with a...
Effect of Dietary Crude Protein Content and Phase Feeding on Performance and Urinary Nitrogen Excretion of Grower Pigs
Urinary nitrogen is emitted as volatile ammonia which impacts the environment inside and outside the barn. A way to directly reduce urinary nitrogen excretion is by reducing dietary protein while still balancing for amino acids. Phase feeding may also be beneficial to match the amino...
Moisture Production of Grower-Finisher Pigs: Field Measurements Compared with Theoretical Values
To select the optimal minimum ventilation rate, moisture production equations have to be verified for intensive swine operations for Canadian climates. Under-ventilation leads to high humidity levels and bacterial growth, while over-ventilation increases the cost of heating in the winter. Moisture production levels were measured...
Can We Alter Water Utilization in Growing Pigs by Diet Manipulation?
Precisely defining the water needs of pigs is of interest as concerns regarding water use of livestock increase along with manure management having rising costs. Diet consumption may impact voluntary water intake in swine. Increased water intake was noted when excessive dietary protein was fed,...
The Net Energy System and Diet Formulation: An Overview
Ingested feed breakdown produces available energy which is often reduced as heat or used for metabolic processes. 50 to 60% of the total energy in common feed ingredients is available for use by the pig. Digestible energy (DE) is not lost in the feces, while...