Manitoba’s PEDv research supports local industry

Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Production by admin on August 4, 2016 | No Comments

Authors: Hein Min Tun, Jacqueline Donogh, Ehsan Khafipour, Darlene Meakin

Reference: Western Hog Journal Spring 2015

PEDv represents a significant threat to swine production. In order to better resist spreading of the virus, it must be understood. Little is known about the longevity of PEDv in manure lagoons. Understanding PEDv survival in lagoons can help to develop strategies of dealing with lagoons that can minimize the chance of disease spreading.

This study tested levels of PEDv in the lagoons of 2 Manitoba swine barns that had tested positive for PEDv. Lagoon one had been infected 5 months prior to the beginning of the study and lagoon two had recently been infected. In lagoon one, samples were taken at 12 locations of 3 depths. In lagoon two, samples were taken at 16 locations at 2 depths. Both lagoons were monitored at 3 locations at 3 depths for temperature and pH level. Samples were analyzed for total solids as well as survivability and infectivity of PEDv. Samples of fresh manure from the pits inside the barn were also analyzed to determine the activity level of PEDv before the sites were completely emptied of pigs.

After seven weeks of sampling the first lagoon and four weeks of sampling the second lagoon, PEDv was still present. Four weeks past the last shedding, PEDv was still infective. Data past this time is unavailable, as the lagoon froze over and data collection was no longer possible. This means the infectivity may persist much longer. Producers must communicate effectively and strategize accordingly in order to not spread PEDv.

PEDv Research local industry Min Tun

Phytase improves phosphorus digestibility in lactating sows

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Author: Z. Nasir, J. Broz, and R.T. Zijlstra

Reference: Western Hog Journal Summer 2015

Phosphorus is an important nutrient in swine nutrition. However, most phosphorus present in feedstuffs is in the form of phytate, which cannot be used. To breakdown phytate into a usable form, the enzyme phytase has to lyse phytate to produce a usable form of phosphorus. Swine do not produce sufficient phytase and as such much of the dietary phosphorus presented to swine is lost in feces. Thus swine diets must be supplemented with inorganic sources of phosphorus or phytase. This excreted phosphorus is both expensive and harmful to the environment, polluting sources of water.

This study examined the effects of feeding supplemental bacterial 6-phytase in lactating swine in terms of sow and piglet performance. 3 diets were prepared: one with adequate phosphorus and supplemented inorganic phosphorus, one with inadequate phosphorus without any supplementation, and one with inadequate phosphorus supplemented with phytase. Sows were weighed pre-farrowing, and also on day 1 and 15 post farrowing.

Sow and piglet performance was not affected by any of the three diets. However, the extra availability of expensive phosphorus decreased the cost of the phytase supplemented diet. This makes the addition of phytase an eligible solution to decrease the cost of feed and environmental footprint.

Phytase in lactating sows Nasir

Feeding value of cull lentils for growing swine

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Authors: L. Eastwood, D. A. Gillis, M. R. Deibert and A. D. Beaulieu

Reference: Western Hog Journal Summer 2015

Saskatchewan produces lots of lentils. As such, there are significant sources of feed quality, or cull, lentils available. Although a significant amount of cull lentils are present in Saskatchewan, there is little data available about its nutrient characteristics. Thus, it is difficult to effectively formulate a diet that contains cull lentils to be fed to swine.

Two studies were done. The first study was done to determine the amount and digestibility of energy and amino acids in samples of cull lentils. The second study used the data obtained from the first study to formulate diets that could be fed to growing pigs and to validate the results of the first study.

In experiment one, ten barrows weighing between 35 and 40 kg were fitted with T-cannulas as the terminal ileum. Two samples of lentils were incorporated at two levels (15% and 30%) into a wheat and barley based control diet. These four diets as well as a control diet were fed to 6 pigs each. Each replicate was 9 days long with 4 days of dietary adaptation, 3 days of faecal grab-sampling and 2 days of digesta collection.

In experiment two, 200 growing pigs and 200 finishing pigs were fed a diet with lentils at 0%, 10%, 20%, or 30%. Diets were wheat and barley based. Over the 4 week trial, growth rate, feed intake, and feed efficiency were measured.

Given proper diet balancing to meet the nutrient requirements, no adverse effects were seen with the addition of up to 30% feed grade 3 lentils into the diets of growing and finishing pigs. There was an increase in average daily gain in finishing pigs as feed lentil inclusion increased. Gender differences were seen as expected, but both gilts and barrows responded similarly to the addition of lentils. Given this information and the data collected on the nutrient characteristics of cull lentils, producers can now reliable include cull lentils into the diets of growing and finishing pigs without observing adverse effects.

Feeding Cull Lentins Eastwood

Growth performance, mortality, carcass revenue and cost differences in a commercial production system positive to swine dysentery: A case study

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Author: Jose Landero, Malachy Young and Egan Brockhoff

Reference: Western Hog Journal Summer 2015

Swine dysentery is an enteric disease that typically effects grow/finish pigs. It is characterized by mucoid or bloody scours, decreased growth rate, and increased feed conversion. Swine dysentery reduces potential profit by decreasing growth rate, increasing mortality, decreasing feed efficiency and increased cost of medication.

Two groups of grow/finish pigs were observed. The first group was fed an ad libitum diet medicated with tiamulin for grower stage 1, 2 and 3, and with lincomycin during finisher phase. The second group was fed an ad libitum diet containing no medication. The barn had previously tested positive for Brachyspira hampsonii, one of the species that causes swine dysentery. Pigs were housed in groups of approximately 250 with bi-weekly additions of straw to the pens. Prior to moving out of the nursery, piglets were vaccinated for circovirus, erysipelas, ileitis and blackleg. Measurements included starting weight, finishing weight, carcass data, average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and feed conversion.

Feed consumption was approximately equal among both groups. Non-medicated pigs has an ~4% lower average daily gain than medicated pigs. Feed conversion was about 5% higher in non-medicated pigs. Signs of swine dysentery were difficult to detect because of the housing style, and were rarely reported. However, swine dysentery was identified in a stool sample. Pigs fed the non-medicated diet took approximately 4.8 days longer to reach market weight and also had double the number of deaths. Taking into consideration the various factors, it is estimated the economic benefit of feeding medicated diets in a swine dysentery positive barn to be approximately $11/pig.

Swine Dysentry Landero

Effects of Mixed and Uniform Parity Groups on Feeding Behaviour, Welfare and Productivity of Sows in ESF Housing

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Author: Y.M. Seddon, F.C. Rioja-Lang and J.A. Brown

Reference: Western Hog Journal Summer 2015

Sow group housing is beneficial in relation to increased fitness and freedom of movement. However, sows can experience increased aggression and reduced access to feed. ESF systems are beneficial in that they can control individual feed levels and reduce aggression due to feed competition. Although ESF are beneficial, young or subordinate sows may still experience competition for access to the feeders. The objectives of this study were to determine if gestating young sows (parity 1 or 2) experience reduced aggression when housed in uniform parity groups as opposed to mixed parity groups and how this effects production, and to observe the differences in feeding behavior, welfare, and productivity among mixed and uniform parity grouped sows.

Sows were grouped into one of four groups: Uniform low parity (parity 2), uniform medium parity (parity 3 to 4), uniform high parity (parity 5 and over), and mixed parity (parity 2 to 8). At 5 weeks gestation, sows were placed into a mixing pen for 1 week and then moved into gestation pens until farrowing. An ESF feeding system recorded feeding behavior. Measurements of body condition score, sow weights, skin lesions, gait scores, and backfat thickness were taken periodically. Regular litter data was collected at farrowing as well as litter weights.

Productivity between uniform and mixed groups was not significantly different. Results showed that uniform grouping reduced lameness and increased backfat thickness for young sows. It appears that parity 1 and 2 sows may benefit from uniform sow grouping in terms of decreased aggression and competition for feed.

Mixed Uniform Parities Seddon

National Sow Housing Conversion Newsletter

Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Press Releases, Welfare by admin on July 18, 2016 | No Comments

June 2016 Vol. 1, Issue 3

The NSHCP is a four year project, with the goal of providing Canadian pork producers with reliable information on barn renovations and management of group housed sows. This newsletter marks the midpoint of the project which is gathering steam as interest in group housing grows across the country. We look forward to achieving a lot more before project completion in December 2017, and appreciate the role that strong hog markets have played recently. Good returns on production are essential for producers’ confidence in the industry, and the ability to plan for the future.

Doug Richards joined the project team in the fall of 2015, shortly after his retirement as a swine extension specialist for the Ontario Ministry of Agricultural Food And Rural Affairs. Doug has a great background of working with pork producers and Ontario Pork, and many years of experience with the London Swine Conference and other producer events. Now (in semi-retirement), he enjoys the opportunity of seeing barns across the country, and helping producers with the information they need to move forward with group sow housing.

Doug was instrumental in getting the project website up and running (www.groupsowhousing.com). Since the website launch in January 2016, we have made a number of additions, and many more improvements are in the works to make the site as comprehensive as possible. If you haven’t seen it yet, please take a look, we welcome your comments and suggestions!

NSHC Newsletter vol 1 – 3

Group Sow Housing Seminar – September 6th and 7th, Stratford, Ontario

Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Press Releases, Welfare by admin on July 13, 2016 | No Comments

Mark Your Calendars!! Group Sow Housing Seminar – September 6th and 7th, Stratford
On Sept. 6th and 7th, 2016 OMAFRA, along with Prairie Swine Centre, Ontario Pork and Swine Innovation Porc will host a Group Sow Housing Seminar. Two different seminars will present group sow housing options with practical solutions to the challenges of different systems, along with potential opportunities associated with group housing. Both days will feature a producer panel and exhibitor space.

Day 1 – Sept 6th, 4 pm until 8:30 pm
The day 1 program is designed for producers who already have group housing systems in place. We will provide ample opportunities for discussions amongst producers, and will focus not only on how to handle some of the challenges producers encounter, but on the potential opportunities that are available to producers within these systems. Dr. Jennifer Brown from the Prairie Swine Centre will talk about aggression and best mixing practices, and Quincy Buis and Dr. Laura Eastwood will focus on capturing added potential through Nutrition. Producer John Van Engelen will also talk about where technology is going in the future.

Day 2 – Sept 7th, 9 am until 5:30 pm
The day 2 program is designed for producers who are looking at group sow housing options. This full day program will provide practical information from a wide variety of speakers. Should you renovate or build new? What will you do with your sows during a renovation? What are producers doing across Canada? How can you capture added potential through Nutrition? What technologies are coming down the line? All of these are topics that will be discussed throughout the day. Dr. Julie Ménard from F Ménard in Quebec will be joining us as our Feature Speaker, where she will talk about her experience with management and making group housing work. A producer update and producer panel will also be a part of the day 2 program.

Registration details will be available later this summer. Program details can be found at www.groupsow housing.com in the “producer events” section.

For more information, please contact:
Laura Eastwood, OMAFRA Swine Specialist laura.eastwood@ontario.ca 519-271-6280

H2S Awareness Training On-Line Course

Posted in: Environment, Pork Insight Articles, Press Releases by admin on April 13, 2016 | No Comments

Hydrogen Sulphine Awareness Training for Liquid Manure Handling Systems

The 2-Hour On-Line Workshop Includes Instruction in:

• Properties of H₂S
• Exposure limits to H₂S
• Detection of H₂S
• Demonstration of H₂S monitoring and safety equipment
• Identifying potentially hazardous locations
• Importance of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and a hands-on approach to writing a procedure
• Rescue strategies
• Importance of implementing an emergency response plan

Who Should take the Awareness On-line Course?

Anyone working in an intensive livestock operation or is involved with the handling of liquid manure. Specifically employees and owner-operators in the following sectors:

• Swine Industry
• Dairy Industry
• Liquid Manure Transportation

Important Information and Education for Anyone Who Works with or Transports Liquid Manure

How can you benefit from the Hydrogen Sulphide Awareness Course?

• Increased workplace safety by increasing awareness of H₂S
• Discover the latest information in strategies to reduce H₂S exposure
• Training is an investment in people

What will you learn with the Hydrogen Sulphide Awareness Course?

• H₂S gas, its properties and threat to human health
• How to be prepared
• How to work towards a safer workplace
• Rescue techniques and safety procedures
• Case study learning technique is lively and interactive

PSC H2S Awareness On-line Course

Assessing Daily Exposure Risk of Pig Barn Workers to Airborne Contaminants

Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Prairie Swine Centre by admin on March 28, 2016 | No Comments

Extended exposure of pig barn workers to airborne contaminants, particularly dust and gases (ammonia and hydrogen sulphide) is primarily associated with increased risk of developing respiratory symptoms and
other health problems (Senthilselvan et al., 2007; Dosman et al., 2004). Various researchers have comprehensively investigated the work environment in pig barns and the associated effects on the health of barn workers. However,
most of these studies focused on documenting the health symptoms and rarely involved characterization of occupational exposure environments in intensive livestock operation. Hence, to protect the health and safety of barn workers, there is a need to gain more understanding of the work environment in barns and the associated worker
exposure risks.

Environmental Assessment of Workers

2016 Prairie Swine Centre Producer Meeting Schedule

Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Prairie Swine Centre, Press Releases by admin on March 17, 2016 | No Comments