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...
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%...
Farrowing Systems, Auditing Best Management Practices
Birth to weaning is the most critical period in the life cycle of a pig. Farrowing practices directly impact the piglets and their performance and also the future breeding herd performance. 21 farms were audited across Canada to see the best management practices in farrowing....
Gestation Housing Systems, Auditing Best Management Practices
The deadline to convert to group sow housing systems is 2024. In order to help this transition go smoothly, best management practices were looked at in 24 Canadian farms. Two thirds of the barns that have already switched over use non-competitive systems such as free-access...
Optimum Space Allowances for Nursery Pigs
Economic viability of farms and the health and welfare of animals are affected by space allowances. There is not much information available on the space allowances of nursery pigs. Maximum feed intake and average daily gain are increased when optimal space allowances are given. The...
Identification, Treatment and Prevention of Shoulder Lesions in Sows
Long periods of lying and poor body condition after farrowing leads to more shoulder lesions. Depending on the farm and sows, 10 to 50% of sows are affected by shoulder lesions. Lying laterally puts pressure on the scapula and can restrict blood flow resulting in...