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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:
Analysis of Findings and Recommendations to Minimize Risks of Contamination in Canadian Buildings with Air Filtration Systems
Posted in: Air Filtration, Pork Insight Articles by admin on May 22, 2014 | No Comments
A Production Animal Disease Risk Assessment Program analysis was conducted in Canadian barns to determine causes of PRRSv contamination in barns with an air filtration system, and the corrections needed to avoid future re-occurrences. Literature and correspondences with American experts allowed Canadian and American results to be compared. The analysis found there that the contamination could come from aerosols, improperly installed or maintained air filters, introducing contaminated gilts or using contaminated semen, or biosecurity breaches by various personnel. The Canadian barns analysed had a higher rate of contamination than the American barns, which could be explained by the use of older antimicrobial filters, lateral air inlets, age of air filters, proximity of surrounding farms, or size of farms. Recommendations to improve biosecurity include increasing air tightness, reducing biosecurity breaches by personnel, updating air filters and changing to positive-pressure, and conducting regular audits on biosecurity.
Controlling hydrogen sulfide emissions from swine operations
Posted in: Air Filtration, Environment, Pork Insight Articles by admin on May 13, 2014 | No Comments
High concentrations of H2S gas are a human and animal health hazard, and can increase the rate of corrosion in barn facilities. Metabolic inhibitors can decrease H2S concentration, but they have not yet been tested in an open system, like a barn. This study isolated manure bacteria capable of metabolizing H2S, and then conducted semi-pilot and room-scale evaluation. Two compounds, molybdate and nitrate, were found to reduce H2S concentration. Nitrate is short acting, but molybdate can act for up to 6 months. Applying both 24-48 hours before activities that agitate manure is recommended. The study found application was financially feasible – with costs under 1% of total costs for a growth cycle.
Groups or stalls: Prairie Swine Centre weighs in
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Prairie Swine Centre, Welfare by admin on May 9, 2014 | No Comments
“Gestation stalls” — arguably no two words have become a greater lightning rod for controversy and passionate debate from many sides around the issue of animal welfare in livestock production. But no matter the viewpoint one element that can be consistently relied upon to cut through the emotion and support informed and productive discussion is the science.
The Prairie Swine Centre is among the latest to add valuable scientific perspective to the conversation, with the release of a scientific review of the “group or stalls” question led by researchers Dr. Jennifer Brown and Dr. Yolande Seddon.
Mycotoxins and Toxicological Impacts in Swine
Posted in: Nutrition by admin on May 2, 2014 | No Comments
Since swine feed is made of relatively few ingredients, a single contaminated ingredient can have a significant effect. For grains, fungal infections can result in the fungus producing mycotoxins. Some of the mycotoxins found in grains include DON, zearalenone, Ochratoxin-A (OA), and aflatoxins in the southern US. For every 1ppm of DON a pigs appetite decreases by 7.5%, zearalenone causes reproductive problems and decreases sex hormones, OA can lead to kidney damage and decreased appetite, and aflatoxins can cause liver damage. Given the potentially significant decrease in production due to mycotoxins, it is important to develop strategies to manage contaminations. Avoidance would be the best, but is not always possible. Sampling can help with avoidance and DON and aflatoxins can be easily detected; however, this is not always possible for other contaminants. Binders and detoxifiers could be another strategy. Although there has been little success with DON binders, alfatoxin absorbents, and enzymes and microorganisms to degrade toxins show some promise. Chemical detoxifying alfatoxins with heat and wet alkaline conditions is has shown to be efficient. This would likely not be practical for stored feed, but could be used while producing ethanol to prevent spreading contamination. Finally, physically detoxifying grains by removing hulls can remove the majority of contaminant, though the practicality of the method is yet to be seen.
Checklist for Swine Barns with Air Filtration Systems
Posted in: Air Filtration, Pork Insight Articles by admin on April 30, 2014 | No Comments
A checklist for an engineering and biosecurity audit in a barn with an air filtration system. The air filtration and ventilation checklist includes things to do for the pre-operational, implementation, and post-installation stages. The biosecurity checklist covers Controlled Access Zones, Restricted Access Zones, the decision chain of command, incoming and outgoing animals, semen, and visitor and employee procedures.
Centre de développement du porc du Québec inc. April 30, 2014 presentation.
Posted in: Air Filtration, Pork Insight Articles by admin on | No Comments
The power point presentation from Centre de développement du porc du Québec inc. on two topics. The first topic was Minimization of the Risk of Contamination in Canadian Swine Barns with Air Filtration Systems, and it addressed a study analyzing contamination in barns that have an air filtration study. The second topic was Innovative Biocontainment Concept with Air Filtration at the Exhaust Fans in a Quarantine Facility. The study investigated a new system of biocontainment technology within a quarantine barn. The system included an electrostatic particulate ionization system, a prefiltration system, and antimicrobial filters at inlets and outlets. The system was found to be effective at filtering dust and bacteria, reducing maintenance on filters, and would allow quarantine barns to be directly attached to the main barn.
Air Filtration Why Bother?
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The power point presentation from South West Ontario Veterinary Services on the spread of airborne diseases, presented by Dr. B. Jones (DVM). Dr. Jones focuses on the use of air filtration systems, and shows the effectiveness and profitability of using a system. As well, he shows the importance of community cooperation in a hog-dense area, and how isolation filtration is effective.
Rebuilding an Industry
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles by admin on April 28, 2014 | No Comments
The pork industry has had a challenging 8 years, but now high, consistent productivity, the start of reinvestment, changing grain prices, and increased demand for pork are encouraging signs. Future challenges could include changing welfare codes, aged barns, new or increased spread of disease, keeping production costs low, and implementing new technology.
Gowans Feed Consulting Graduate Student Internship
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Garrett Rozeboom describes his experience during the Gowans Feed Consulting Graduate Student Internship. The internship allows participants to obtain their postgraduate degree while gaining experience in the swine industry.
Zephyr Piglet Gun
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Welfare by admin on | No Comments
The Zephyr-E was developed to improve the blunt trauma method of euthanasia for piglets. It improves consistency and is cost effective, but staff using a CO2 system should be informed on what to expect before changing euthanasia methods.