NUTRITION

Field peas can be incorporated into grow-finish diets, up to 60%, without affecting performance or diet palatability. The usage of peas in swine diets should be based on economics and availability.   At current price relationships (Fall 2012) incorporating peas into grow-finish diets would save up to $2.00/hog.

Pigs segregated at nursery exit based on their growth rate from birth (fast, medium or slow growing) will have similar growth and nutrient (protein, lipid, ash) deposition rates during the growing (30 to 60 kg BW) and finishing (90 to 120 kg BW) periods.

There was no interaction between feeding level, energy concentration in the diet and phenotype (pigs selected for differing potential growth rates) for growth or nutrient deposition rates for pigs growing or finishing pigs. The utilization of different feeding programs for pigs segregated into projected growth potential groups in the nursery is not advised.

Dietary net energy (NE) estimated using 1) equations developed in Europe (French or Dutch) based on digestible nutrients, 2) indirect calorimetry, or 3) retained energy (carcass slaughter technique) showed good agreement between indirect calorimetry and the equations, while the NE based on retained energy was typically lower. Diet formulation must use ingredient values derived from one system.

In growing pigs, grams of nitrogen (protein) retained per caloric intake was higher when the energy was derived primarily from starch rather than fat.  Nutritionists should consider incorporating starch as a nutrient in their diet formulation matrixes.

We previously reported that feeding creep (supplemental feed in farrowing) was not advantageous. However, we have now shown that only 40 % of piglets offered creep in the farrowing room consume it. Creep feed intake does improve growth weaning weight; we need to find methods to improve the proportion of pigs who consume it.  Developing management strategies that improve the number of pigs consumng creep feed (>90%) would result in a net benefit of $.50/pig.

Consumption of creep feed in the farrowing room did correlate with increased consumption of phase 1 diet during the first 24 hours post-weaning. We need to look at solutions which combine behaviour and nutrition to mitigate the post-weaning growth lag.

Adding 8 % spray dried animal plasma to nursery diets containing mycotoxin contaminated wheat (2 ppm deoxynivalenol in final diets) mitigated the negative effects of the mycotoxin.  Nutritionists should consider the addition of SDAP to diets for growing pigs if contamination is suspected.

Adding a clay to nursery diets containing mycotoxin contaminated wheat (2 ppm deoxynivalenol in final diets) did not mitigate the effect of the mycotoxin.

Based on all reproductive data for an entire set of omega-6:omega-3 ratio trials, a plant based ratio of  5:1 is optimal. When the ratio was dropped to 1:1 negative effects were observed (reduced piglet performance, reduced sow feed intake in lactation, increased reliance on body fat to provide nutrients in milk).  Benefit to the producer would be $.60/pig.

When including omega-3’s (ie.  from flaxseed or fish oil) into sow diets, it is important for producers to account for the ratio relative to omega-6 as opposed to formulating rations based on an absolute amount of omega-3.

ENGINEERING

A benchmark survey revealed that groundwater well is the main source of water for many pig barns, at an average usage of 965 gallons per pig produced. Many barns do not keep track of their actual water utility cost; for those few which did, the estimated average water cost was $0.36/pig.

Relative to conventional nipple drinkers, the use of a drinking trough with side panel and constant water level saved significant amount of water (8.175 L/day-pig vs. 6.7 L/day-pig) due to reduced water wastage (3.77 L/day-pig vs. 1.27 L/day-pig), without adversely affecting pig performance.

High pressure washing using a conventional nozzle led to lesser time and water consumption during the cleaning process.  High pressure washing in fully slatted concrete flooring can be done without soaking the room.

Compared to current conventional practices, the combination of using a drinking trough with side panel and constant water level for animal drinking and pre-soaking and high pressure washing with conventional nozzle for cleaning can potentially save up to $9.24/pig due to reduced overall water use and accumulated manure slurry.

The use of radiant heater can improve the overall barn energy efficiency as it consumed lesser total energy (both natural gas and electricity) compared to a forced-convection heater system.  This type of system will imprive operating costs by approximately $2.00/pig.

The use of radiant heater or forced-convection heater did not significantly influence pig performance (ADG, ADFI, feed efficiency and mortality rate) and indoor air quality.  The benefits from the use of radiant heaters can be maximized and its economic feasibility can be improved if such type of heater is used in areas in the barn with high heating requirement and with longer periods of heating demand throughout the year.

Sprinkling canola oil in swine facilities is effective in reducing airbourne dust levels. System would cost approximately $2.70/pig.

In order to develop effective measures in reducing worker exposure, applied measures must reduce the potential of contaminant sources or associated activities to generate emissions, thereby lowering both airborne contaminant levels as well as exposure of the workers to these emissions.

ETHOLOGY

Over 95% of gestating sows in walk-in/lock-in stall housing made use of the free space, over half of them spent less than 5% of their time outside of stalls.  Larger, older sows used the free space significantly more than did younger sows, suggesting that younger, subordinate sows may be reluctant to exit stalls due to aggression.

Use of free space in walk-in/lock-in systems is an important factor, as increased activity is thought to improve bone strength, sow longevity and productivity by reducing birthing intervals and crushing of piglets in lactation. Factors found to increase use of the free space include: training of gilts on entry to facilitate their exit from stalls, improving the quality of the free space by including solid floor areas and solid partitions as sows prefer these areas for resting (e.g as found in ‘T’ pens), addition of rubber mats to the free area floors to increase sow comfort, and segregating sows by age and size into low and high parity groups.

A subjective study of loading facilities identified positive and negative factors that influence pigs’ behaviour at loading.  Facility design features that promote ease of loading include use of loading rooms near the loadout, wide alleys, separate manways, adequate lighting, even flooring with good traction, low slopes on ramps (<20°), and covered trailer docks.

Handling methods that reduce stress and promote ease of handling at loading include pen-walking or handling of pigs before loading (training), minimal prod use (less that 2x per pig), appropriate use of handling boards, moving group sizes appropriate to the facility design and handler’s skill, and familiarity with behavioural techniques (e.g. using body position to promote movement, providing ‘release’ once pigs are moving).

During transport, pigs stand more in winter than in summer. This is likely to reduce heat loss to the trailer floor. During long trips in winter, this can result in increased energy depletion and fatigue in pigs, as well as production of more meat showing dark, firm and dry (DFD) or red, soft and exudative (RSE) characteristics. Winter transport was also associated with increased metabolic rate (elevated heart rate and body temperature) and increased dehydration.

Transport of pigs during the summer results in a greater risk of death losses due to acute heat stress.  The greatest number of losses occurs in the rear trailer compartments. The highest trailer temperatures, body temperatures and heart rates were found shortly after loading.

Implementation of measures to reduce heat stress are most important at loading. For example, truckers should leave the farm as soon as possible after loading and travel continuously for 1-2 hours tp cool pigs before stopping. Load manifests should be completed prior to loading, and loading near midday should be avoided. Loading density should be reduced in problem compartments, and the rear panels of the trailer should be fully perforated to allow maximum air flow.

The effects of long duration transport on pigs are greater in winter than summer, and vary significantly between compartments. Pigs transported 18 h in winter showed elevated body temperatures indicating an increased metabolic rate, and took longer to rest and drank more in lairage, indicating delayed recovery compared to pigs transported for 6 or 12 h.

Sprinkling of pigs on the truck immediately before departure from the farm, and before unloading at the abattoir was found to alleviate heat stress when applied at temperatures >23°C.