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Prairie Swine Centre is an affiliate of the University of Saskatchewan
Prairie Swine Centre is grateful for the assistance of the George Morris Centre in developing the economics portion of Pork Insight.
Financial support for the Enterprise Model Project and Pork Insight has been provided by:
The effect of the Ca: total phosphorus ratio on the efficacy of supplemental phytase in the diets of weanling swine – monograph
Posted in: Nutrition, Pork Insight Articles, Prairie Swine Centre by admin on July 10, 2017 | No Comments
Phytase (500 FTU/kg) addition to com-soymeal diets fed to weanling pigs increased P digestibility from 42 to 53 %. Moreover, the excretion of soluble inorganic P in the faeces, whether expressed in g/d or as a proportion of total P intake was decreased with the addition of 500 FfU phytase to the diet. The efficacy of phytase was decreased as the Ca:tP ratio increased from 1.12 to 2.31. Adding phytase to a swine diet decreases output of total P in the manure. If the diet is formulated to account for the increased available P due to the phytase (ie. reduced tP) then the excretion of water soluble phytase in the manure will decrease similar to the reduction in tP excreted.
Evaluation of Site and Age of Weaning on Piglet Growth Performance and Post-Weaning Behaviour and on Sow Productivity -Monograph
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Production by admin on July 7, 2017 | No Comments
Site segregated early weaning resulted in a consistent increase in 56-day body weight in all three experiments. Much of the increase can be attributed to enhanced feed intake, especially in the first few weeks after weaning. Later in the nursery, the benefit seemed to accrue from improved feed efficiency.
The very low weaning weight used in this study resulted in reduced sow productivity in the subsequent parity, raising questions regarding the practicality of weaning at 12 days under commercial practice. However, somewhat later weaning (> 15 days), which is more common in commercial practice anyway, might be a reasonable compromise .
Pigs weaned at 12 days of age are slower to develop normal levels of eating behaviour than those weaned at 21 days of age, but do so by 48 h after weaning. During the subsequent 5-6 weeks, early weaned pigs spend more time eating, drinking, nosing other pigs and chewing on objects. The differences in these oral activities appear to be greatest 2-4 weeks after weaning. In particular, nosing of other pigs is markedly greater in those weaned at 12 days of age, and reaches its peak 2-3 weeks after weaning.
The fact that the higher levels of nosing and chewing persist into the grow/finish period for early weaned pigs substantiates concerns that the early rearing environment may have a lasting effect on animal behaviour. However no definitive effect of these behaviours on productivity were found. Advances in SSEW technology and management, such as the inclusion of plasma protein in the diets, have not eliminated the behaviour related concerns related to early weaning.
Further studies are planned to look into the mechanisms which may be responsible for the difference in growth rate off- vs. on-site. Specifically, the next phase of research in this area, in collaboration with the Animal Biotechnology Centre at the University of Saskatchewan, will look at the role of the immune system, and endocrine system in off- vs on-site piglets weaned at 12 days of age. Answers to these questions may allow us to achieve similar performance in conventional all-in all-out nurseries located close to the farrow-finish enterprise without the added cost of going to multi-site production facilities.
Potential of Cereal By-Products from Ethanol Production as Feed Ingredients for Swine Production -Monograph
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With the tremendous growth of the ethanol industry, more and more by-products – namely, distiller’s grains and thin stillage (DDGS) are available for livestock rations. The nutritional value of dried wheat distiller’s grain for grower-finisher pigs was prior to start of the project unknown, especially the value of wheat DDGS produced in western Canada.
The main objectives for a series of experiment were to: a) characterize the nutritional value of wheat-based DDGS, b) to determine the impact on nutrient excretion, c) optimize feed strategies, and 4) to detect impact on carcass quality. Therefore, to study this feedstuff, the project was initiated with a digestibility experiment with cannulated grower-finisher pigs fed one wheat control diet and 3 dried distiller’s grain diets (corn, corn and wheat, and wheat distiller’s grain). Ingredient, feed, faeces, and digesta samples were collected and were analyzed to determine DE, digestible amino acid, and digestible phosphorus content for the three DDGS samples. This first project indicated in total that wheat DDGS can be used as a feedstuff for swine, but has a lower nutritional value than the parent wheat. However, feeding of wheat DDGS, in particular poor quality wheat DDGS might reduce voluntary feed intake. Feeding of wheat DDGS will increase N excretion, and may reduce P excretion, due to high P digestibility due to degradation of phytate. As such feed wheat DDGS to nursery and grower-finisher pigs may have to be limited to 10 to 20%, for poor quality wheat DDGS, whereas wheat DDGS might be fed up to 30% in finisher pigs, if a good or excellent quality. If proper diet formulation is used (NE and SID AA content), impact on carcass quality is limited but dressing percentage will be reduced by 1 to 2% due to a higher weight of the gastro-intestinal tract due to the additional fibre in the diet.. In a series of follow-up experiments, supplemental enzymes were studied to alleviate the reduced nutrient digestibility and voluntary feed intake; however, supplemental enzymes proved less effective than expected. In collaborative project, effects of feed processing especially extrusion technology have been studied. In conclusion, wheat-based DDGS can be added to feedstuffs databases for feed formulation for swine.
IMPACT OF MODERN REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES ON PRODUCTIVITY IN PIGS: A REVIEW
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The potential exists to improve different sow reproduction traits, such as age at puberty, oestrous symptoms, ability to become pregnant, litter size, piglet survival and weight, milk production, maternal behaviour and ability to show oestrus after weaning. In practice, however, considerable problems are associated with genetic selection for most of these traits as they have low heritability values. The speed at which genetic improvements can be achieved by traditional methods is slow. Many of the new reproductive technologies offer possibilities for improving the rate of genetic progress. These include in vitro embryo production (IVEP), non-surgical embryo transfer (ET), sperm sexing technology (SST), and molecular biology techniques (QTL and MAS). The real impact on genetic progress will come from combining new reproductive techniques with powerful molecular techniques. The former will allow a rapid turnover of generations, whereas the latter can provide selection, which does not need phenotypic information when the selection decisions are made.
IMPACT OF MODERN REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES ON PRODUCTIVITY IN PIGS- A REVIEW
Where Does Pork Fit into Today’s Consumer Trends
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Overall consumption of pork up slightly since 1985, but per capita consumption is actually down. Pork consumption has not kept pace with the rapid growth of poultry. The pork industry is beginning to change and respond to the consumer and deliver the kind of high quality, innovative products they want. This lecture covers emerging demographics in America including the increasing demand for “Natural/Organic” or GMO free foods and how the Pork industry should capitalize on these demands.
Positively impacting the carcass by adding fat to the diet
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Fats and oils have traditionally been used to increase dietary energy levels for the early weaner phase and for pigs raised in warm climates. Adding fat/oil to the diet can improve feed to gain, reduce manure output and also reduce dust levels in the barn. The correlation between saturated fat intake and coronary heart disease in humans has also prompted inclusion of polyunsaturates into pig diets to increase levels of ‘healthy’ fatty acids in pork. Enhancing pork’s fatty acid profile also has potential for value-added marketing and improving pork’s market share. The benefits of feeding high polyunsaturate levels have, however, been counterbalanced by problems with soft carcass fat, oxidative instability and in the barn, high fat/oil diets can bridge and block feeders.
The effects of CLA have often been contrary to expectations. Generally fats/oils are expected to increase carcass fat, and polyunsaturates should generate soft fat, and a reduced backfat level shouldn’t be coupled with increased marbling fat. Work thus far demonstrates that individual fatty acids have the potential to effect carcass composition and pork quality differently and continued research in this area may prove quite valuable as trends towards branded products and paying premiums for lean content and quality continue.
On-Farm Feed Milling-Gearing up for compliance in the 21st century
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This lectures discusses the foundations of good management practices in order to comply with the new regulations set out by the CFIA.
Receiving: Describe how each type of commodity is received to minimize unsafe contamination.
Storage & distribution equipment: Bulk bins, warehouse containers and tanks should be properly identified and clean. Conveyors, augers, legs, head distributors, etc. should be free of build-ups. Use of ingredients should preferably be first-in, first-out.
Weighing & mixing: All scales used should be standardized routinely using reference weights and cleaned at least weekly. Calibration should be performed based on a schedule by a qualified contractor.
Maintenance: Prepare a schedule of preventive maintenance, including the feed truck, and a log to attest that this is being performed.
Premises: Describe the keeping of the building, warehouse and grounds. Describe the waste disposal and its operation.
Sanitation & pest control: Prepare a schedule detailing what should be cleaned and when. Complete a log to prove that you are doing it. Draw a sketch where mice traps are located and record trapping rates.
Recalls: Pre-assess the risk to humans and animals and have a notification plan in place.
Training: New staff requires a quick GMPs orientation. Recurring training should be provided involving those that might be called upon when someone is absent or sick.
Manufacturing documentation:
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points
HACCP is a one-time analysis with minor re-evaluation from time to time. In preparing a HACCP plan for your on-farm feed mill, take the following guiding steps:
Identify potential hazards: The first step is to identify potential hazards to humans and animals. These include biological and chemical hazards.
Evaluate each process step: Consider potential hazards that exist or may develop at each step in the manufacturing process. Establish critical control points, where the loss of control may evolve into a health risk.
Targets & tolerances: Set target levels for drug residue, micro organisms and other contaminants.
Monitoring: Screen suppliers, set delivery specifications, ask for certifications, emphasize that you are producing food not just raising hogs! How often should we test mixed feeds and how to interpret the lab results?
Corrective actions: If you sporadically lose control, plan how would you deal with non-complying product. Document the cause of the problem and what you did about it.
Verifying: Evaluate your plan from time to time and if changes have occurred, improve procedures. Invite outsiders to criticize your HACCP plan and catch the obvious that you missed. Have them over several times before you request a CFIA inspector(s) pursuing licensing
On-Farm Feed Milling-Gearing up for compliance in the 21st century
Focus on the future conference schedule 2001
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Factors Driving the Improvement of Average Daily Gain
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At its simplest, growth rate is affected by two factors, namely feed intake and the efficiency with which that feed is utilized for growth. Assuming feed efficiency remains constant, increasing feed intake will increase growth rate; conversely, if feed intake remains the same, improving feed efficiency will improve growth rate. A multitude of intrinsic and extrinsic factors affect growth in the pig. It is only by addressing each, individually and as a whole, that animal growth can be optimized. What is clear is that pork production, while achieving extraordinary gains in the past 4 decades, has yet to fully utilize the tremendous genetic potential of the pig. This is apparent by the variation in performance which occurs among groups of pigs within a barn, and by the diversity of results experienced among producers. It is equally clear that the financial returns which will accrue from achieving higher levels of performance are substantive.
Determining the threonine requirement of the high-producing lactating sow
Posted in: Nutrition, Pork Insight Articles by admin on July 6, 2017 | No Comments
To minimize sow body tissue breakdown, the threonine requirement was found to be 37, 40 and 39 g total threonine/d (29, 31 and 30 g Dthr/d) for parity 1, 2 and 3+ sows, respectively. To maximize litter growth, the threonine requirement was found to be 37, 39 and 38 g Tthr/d (28, 30 and 30 g Dthr/d) for parity 1, 2 and 3+
sows, respectively. The maintenance requirement for threonine in the sow is 41 mg Tthr/kg BW^0.75 (Pettigrew, 1993). The threonine requirement for litter growth in this study was 14.3 g Tthrlkg litter growth. Using these requirements for maintenance and litter growth, pork producers can calculate the threonine requirement of lactating sows on their farms.
Determining the threonine requirement of the high-producing lactating sow