Increasing Creep Feed Intake by Stimulating Exploratory Behaviour using Enrichment

Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Prairie Swine Centre by admin on October 21, 2014 | No Comments

Weaning is a highly stressful time for piglets, with multiple significant changes occurring simultaneously (change in diet, environment, mixing with unfamiliar piglets). Weight loss and increased cortisol levels have been observed for the first few days aft er weaning, indicating this is a stressful event for piglets. Inadequate food intake in the first two days aft er weaning, in combination with the stress of weaning, decreases piglet performance, resulting in increased disease susceptibility and mortality through changes in metabolic and immune function. Promoting solid feed intake before weaning by provision of creep feed familiarizes the piglets with solid food. Piglets that consume creep show better feed intake and improved growth rate in the critical weaning and post-weaning period. However, previous work conducted at the Prairie Swine Centre shows that the amount of creep feed consumed is oft en very low, and a high number of piglets fail to eat creep. Nursery_pigs_feeding-2 It is important to identify convenient and effective ways of increasing the volume and consistency of creep feed consumption by piglets. Previous research by others has determined that the amount of creep consumed by piglets can be increased by provision of a specially designed feeder that encourages exploratory interaction around the feeder. It is known that piglets raised outdoors are quick to consume starter feed and will oft en ingest soil and plant material while exploring their environment. However, piglets reared indoors do not have the same opportunity for exploration. This study builds upon current knowledge to investigate the effects of provision of environmental enrichment within the farrowing pen and nursery on exploratory behaviour, frequency of visits to the creep feeder, creep consumption and piglet growth rate. If simple enrichment can increase creep feed consumption in piglets this could result in reduced stress at weaning and better growth in the post-weaning period.

The Science of Ethology

Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Welfare by admin on September 22, 2014 | No Comments

The Science of Ethology provides a comprehensive overview of sow group housing options with a focus on the science-based reasoning behind sow behaviour in the various situations. The feeding system options and grouping strategies are discussed, and the advantages and disadvantages explained for each system.

National Chair in Swine Welfare

Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Press Releases, Welfare by admin on July 3, 2014 | No Comments

Industry awareness and support continue to build for the NSERC Industrial Chair in Swine Welfare as the candidate to lead the program, Dr. Sandra Edwards, meets with industry groups across Canada. Dr. Edwards was the keynote speaker at the first Tim Hortons Sustainable Food Management Summit hosted at the University of Guelph (October, 2013). The one-day event showcased current research in animal welfare and sustainability of the food supply chain for retailers and food service industry representatives.  Dr. Edwards, a professor and Chair of Agriculture at Newcastle University, UK, has become a familiar face to Canada’s pork value chain in the development of the first National Chair in Swine Welfare.

“There is a huge need for research on methods to improve the welfare of pigs.  I strongly urge all sectors of the Canadian pork industry and major retailers to support funding the Chair in Swine Welfare”

Temple Grandin, Professor Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University

Resources:

National Chair in Swine Welfare Update Volume 1 No. 2

National Chair in Swine Welfare Update Volume 1 No. 2 (French Version)

National Chair in Swine Welfare Update Volume 1 No. 1

National Chair in Swine Welfare Update Volume 1 No. 1 (French Version)

Impact of Methods of Synchronizing Gilt Breeding on Sow Longevity

Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Production by admin on June 13, 2014 | No Comments

The method and results for a project looking at the effect of hormone induction of puberty in gilts on longevity and performance. Half of the gilts were injected with PG600® at 153 days of age, and half were left as controls. Gilts were bred, weaned, and some were reassigned as nurse sows. After 1 or 2 weanings, sows were randomly assigned for another treatment of PG600®. The results show the first treatment group of PG600® had larger litters, but the same number weaned between groups. PG600® increased the percent of sows bred within 8 days of weaning from 66% to 85%. As well, nurse sows had larger next litters, and an increased percent bred within 8 days of the second weaning.

Vitamin D3 supplementation in suckling and weaned piglets

Posted in: Nutrition, Pork Insight Articles by admin on | No Comments

Indoor rearing of pigs and naturally low levels of vitamin D in sow milk mean supplementation to piglets is recommended to avoid vitamin D deficiency. This project looked at serum levels of vitamin D3 with or without supplementation, and the effect of supplementation of ADG, mortality, and morbidity. In the first trial, piglets were orally given 1ml of vitamin D3 or a placebo at  1-5 days of age, and had there serum tested then as well as 23 days later. Supplementation led to D3 serum levels of 23.29±12.06 ng/ml, rather than 8.01±5.91 for the control group. Trial 2 gave 1ml of vitamin D3 or a placebo to piglets at weaning, piglets were weighed and serum levels tested. Mortality and morbidity were tracked, and 28 days later serum levels were retested and piglets reweighed. Control pigs had serum levels of 18.68±3.99 ng/ml, and supplemented pigs had 22.34±6.01. There was no difference in ADG, mortality or morbidity. Trial 3 was similar to trial 2, but pigs were in pens with 27-56 others, not weighed and serum levels tested for 5 pigs/pen. Supplemented pigs had serum levels of 30.60±2.36 ng/ml 28 days post-administration, and control pigs had 17.65±2.40 ng/ml. There was no difference in mortality and morbidity. Oral supplementation of vitamin D3 did increase serum levels, but had no impact on pig performance.

Feeding the Sow: Comparison of Gestational and Lactation Programs

Posted in: Nutrition, Pork Insight Articles by admin on | No Comments

Proper nutrition for sows through their previous lactation, and current gestation can have an impact on their piglets’ future growth performance and survival. Various feeding programs have been proposed, and each can potentially provide a benefit to the sow, piglets, and/or costs. One method is feeding for backfat thickness and sow weight, which prevents over-conditioning, reduces feed cost, and provided easier farrowing. Three lactation feeding methods have not been tested, but are used in practice exist. One is to restrict feed for 2-3 days, then increase quickly for lactation. Another is to slowly increase feed, and hold it steady until day 12 of lactation. Finally, a sow can self-feed by pressing a dispenser. The three methods were tested for lactating sows, as well as gestation feeding either for body condition (conventional), or weight and backfat thickness (Kansas State). Conventional feeding in lactation increased gestation length, but otherwise lactation and gestation stages were unaffected. The Kansas State gestation feeding increased feed intake in gestation, and led to less feed intake when lactating. The gradual increase (ramped-up) lactation feeding slightly increased feed intake. The Kansas State gestation feed sows had higher backfat and weights throughout the trial, but lost slightly more backfat than conventionally fed. The ramped-up lactation feeding resulted in less weight loss. Gestation feeding type had no impact on litter performance, and cross-fostering made performance at weaning difficult to analyze. However, ad libitum lactation feeding resulted in bigger litters with lower birth weights, and lower weaning weights. No system gave a clear advantage; although, cost savings could be considered for the systems, and the Kansas State system allows better monitoring of sow condition.

Air Filtration System for Animal Transport Vehicles and Emergency Biocontainment System for Swine Facilities to Control Transmissible Airborne Diseases

Posted in: Air Filtration, Pork Insight Articles by admin on May 23, 2014 | No Comments

The power point notes for a presentation on air filtration during transport, and emergency biocontainment in a barn during a disease outbreak. The risk from airborne pathogens is particularly high when traveling through hog-dense areas, especially if outbreaks of diseases such as PRRSv or PEDv have recently occurred. Using an air filtration system in transport vehicles could greatly reduce the risk of contamination. This project conducted a literature review on current transport air filtration systems being used, created designs for Canadian transport trucks, constructed a prototype, and evaluated the effectiveness of air filtration in a trailer. The design for the prototype took into consideration ventilation, performance monitoring, emergency measures, animal care, sanitation, and cost. For barns without a permanent air filtration system, and emergency system could be used during disease outbreaks. The emergency biocontainment project looked at options to isolate a barn during a disease outbreak, created a pilot project, and developed protocols to be followed. Some of the options considered were exhaust bag-type filters, filtered enclosures, dust reduction curtains, and a trailer with filter walls. Criteria for assessment included time to assemble, technical requirements, portability and adaptability, reliability, and cost. Research will need to continue to develop transport and emergency air filtration systems that are practical and economically feasible.

Air Filtration in Swine Buildings

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The Centre de développement du porc du Québec has compiled a fact sheet to give an overview of air filtration. Two studies from the University of Minnesota are summarized. The first study demonstrates that the effectiveness of an air filtration system to keep out pathogens also relies on good biosecurity procedures. Secondly, the type of air filter used was shown to be inconsequential on effectiveness. Two things to consider when choosing an air filtration system are the filter type and the air inlet type. The filters can either be mechanical or antimicrobial; and the air inlet type can be lateral, modular ceiling, or continuous linear. To make an air filtration system effective unfiltered air has to be prevented from entering, so the building should be as air tight as possible. Fan shutters can be made air tight by the use of an anti-backdraft system: a home-made air-chute, or a NoBackDraft damper are two options. Other topics such as cost and the impact on ventilation are also addressed in the fact sheet.

Economics Fact Sheet: Case Study

Posted in: Air Filtration, Pork Insight Articles by admin on May 22, 2014 | No Comments

The fact sheet for a case study on the economics of installing an air filtration system that looked at seven barns. Four barns were farrowing facilities, two were for replacement gilts, and one was a farrow-to-finish. The capital outlay costs were the initial material and labor needed to install the system, and maintenance costs were the initial and replacement filter purchases, as well as the labor needed to change filters. The study looked at the costs for changing filters every three or every five years. Costs varied between barns, and were largely dependent on the initial preparations needed to install the system, and the amount of ventilation required. If over ten years the air filtration system prevents 1.5-4 PRRSv outbreaks in a farrowing facility, or any outbreaks in a gilt replacement facility it provides an economic saving.

Air Filtration Alliance Genetics Canada

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The power point notes for a presentation given by Alliance Genetics Canada on air filtration. Included are pictures of the various barn features being used for the air filtration system.