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Can Trailer Design Effectively Reduce Disease Transmission?

In response to an industry need for a livestock vehicle that addresses both increased animal welfare and biosecurity during transport, a prototype air-filtered trailer was designed and assembled. The project set out to select the best possible option for a swine transport trailer which reduces or prevents the risk of airborne disease transmission and at the same time address issues commonly encountered on existing trailer designs such as animal welfare, ease of maintenance as well as trucker/worker well-being. An industry questionnaire gathered input on observed strengths and deficiencies of the conventional commercial swine transport trailers and was distributed to a number of stakeholders involved in pig transportation and researchers. Additionally, desired features and preferences for an improved swine transport trailer were gathered and formed the basis for the initial new trailer design. Multiple design configurations were narrowed down using computer simulation with the most promising trailer design being developed as a prototype.

Particle size reduction improves feed efficiency in all stages of the production cycle in pigs. Based on studies by researchers at Kansas State University (KSU), an average particle size of 700 to 800 microns (um) is recommended. However, this recommendation is based on studies conducted using corn-soybean meal based diets. To our knowledge, there is no information on the effect of particle size in wheat and barley-based diets from on-farm mills in Western Canada. This presents an opportunity to improve animal performance and income for producers by improving our understanding of particle size under regional conditions. Feed and ground grain samples from 1 toll mill facility and 4 on-farm mills (2 Alberta and 2 Saskatchewan) were collected and analyzed for average particle size to establish the variability among mills. Hammer mill was the most common type of mill, with all but one of the participants using this grinding system.

Reducing Water Consumption in Swine Barns: Alternatives for Animal Drinking and Barn Cleaning

Evaluation of selected water conservation measures involving drinkers and different cleaning procedures revealed that 60% reduction in water wastage was achieved with a drinking trough (with side panel and constant water level) to nipple drinkers. The use of conventional nozzle for pressure washing led to reduced time and water consumption during cleaning. Cost analysis of…

Transportation, which is an unfamiliar to the pig - is one of the most critical periods in pig handling before slaughter. It possibly involves economic losses due to deaths, ‘suspect’ animals on arrival at the processing plant, and reduced meat quality. Losses are reported to be higher in summer and vary among compartments within a truck. However, little is known about micro-environmental conditions that develop within compartments during transportation and its relationship to pig welfare and quality of meat. As part of a larger project on handling and transport of pigs, we examined the temperature conditions in trucks to determine if differences exist among compartments during summer and winter months.

Summer and winter are critical periods where we need to ensure our ventilation is functioning properly. The heating and ventilation checklist will help you identify those areas that can improve efficiency while maintaining animal comfort.

The NSHCP is a Canada-wide project with the purpose of providing group sow housing information to swine producers and industry partners.

Coming Events

Alberta Livestock Expo - October 9 & 10, 2019 - Lethbridge Alberta

Red Deer Swine Technology Workshop - October 23, 2019 - Red Deer, Alberta (program will be posted at a later date, please mark your calendars)

All Coming Events


	Supporting Agencies

Can Trailer Design Effectively Reduce Disease Transmission?

Assessing Particle Size and the Cost of Grinding

Reducing Water Consumption in Swine Barns: Alternatives for Animal Drinking and Barn Cleaning

Temperatures Within a Truck Transporting Pigs During Winter and Summer Months in Western Canada

Heating and Ventilation Monitoring & Maintenance Checklist

National Sow Housing Conversion Project

Coming Events