Emergency Trailer Delivers the Goods

Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Production by student on June 25, 2018 | No Comments

Author: Brenda Kossowan

Reference : Prairie Hog Country – October/November

Summary: In response to a cattle trailer rollover, Alberta’s livestock emergency response system proved itself to be vital. One animal had to be euthanized at the scene, however, due to the speedy response of the livestock emergency response system the rest of the animals were saved. This incident parallels an accident that occurred earlier in the year, but the outcome of this one being significantly better.

Earlier in the year, a collision involving a livestock hauler resulted in the death of approximately 2,000 weaner pigs near Standard, Alberta. Unfortunately, noone at the scene of this incident had been aware of Alberta’s livestock emergency response system, resulting in them not being called. Although some of the pigs had died on impact, many of them died from heat exhaustion and suffocation.

In response to this fatal crash at Standard, Alberta the staff of the Alberta Farm Animal Care (AFAC) have worked to increase awareness about the emergency trailers. There are currently 16 trailers located throughout Alberta. The AFAC has a 24-hour ALERT line for any Albertan livestock emergencies. The number for this line is 1-800-506-2273.

For more information about the AFAC visit: www.afac.ab.ca or by calling their head office in High River at 403-652-5111

Emergency Trailer Delivers the Goods

Effective Strategies for Reducing Aggression Among Group Housed Sows

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Author: Harry Siemens

Reference: Prairie Hog Country – October/November 2017

Summary: According to research scientist, Dr. Jennifer Brown, there are a range of useful strategies for reducing sow aggression in group housing situations. The Canadian Pig Code of Practice will require producers to house their gestating sows in group  housing, the dynamics of that are currently being researched however, aggression is the biggest challenge for producers.

Dr. Brown says that developing more passive animals involves genetic selection, rearing practices and mixing practices. Sows are social animals according to Dr. Brown, and there are a lot of ways that the industry can construct their management that will improve the sows social interaction.

One important thing that producers must consider is the space allowance, according to Dr. Brown. Sows must be allocated enough room so that they have the ability to avoid each other. So if you are stingy on space allowance you will end up with problems and increased aggression.

Another important aspect is the way that the producer forms the groups, which is largely influenced on the type of feeding system in place.

Effective Strategies to Reduce Aggression

New or Renovate Hog Barns

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Author: Dr. John Carr and Harry Siemens

Reference: Prairie Hog Country – October/November 2017

Summary: One perplexing question that producers find themselves facing is – to build new or to renovate. When a farm is planning to expand the question is really do they revitalize the old building, developing it up to the new codes of practice, or do they just completely rebuild a new barn. This question can be challenging as a renovation, depending on the state of the “old barn” will cost around 70% of the new building.

Dr. John Carr, international consultant and livestock veterinarian, discusses utilization of the passageway. According to Carr, the passageway on most farms accounts for 10-20% of the space in the entire room. Although a passageway with slats is more convenient, as this would allow for directly allowing the pigs to utilize the space. A solid concrete floor is likely to encourage defecation on the cold surface. However, this can be mitigated by moving the feeder to the clear concrete surface, which also creates more room for the pigs to sleep.

Another thing to consider when renovating is the ventilation system, according to Carr:

• Farrowing house and nursery are often interchangeable,
• Finishing and gestation are often interchangeable,
• and a gilt house and finishing house are often identical

When building new, he recommends fully slatted floors, making them uni purpose.

New or Renovate Hog Barns

Managing Stress Dealing with PED Virus Industry-wide

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Author: Harry Siemens

Reference: Prairie Hog Country – October/November 2017

Summary: As of September 22, the total cases of PEDv identified in Manitoba in the outbreak is 76. Of the 76 cases, 36 have achieved the Transitional status.

One concern that should be addresses when dealing with PEDv pertains with the swine barn workers that are having to deal with the sick animals. Swine barn managers are advised to watch for signs of fatigue in workers. Trying to stop the spread of the disease through the barn becomes very trying and tiring and this can take a toll on the workers both mentally and physically. When people are having to deal with sicks animals, especially piglets, on a daily basis it results in a lot of stress. This stress could result in similar to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Each individual is different and symptoms could vary from not being able to sleep, feeling drained, poor concentration, memory problems, difficulty thinking, headaches, nightmares and the overall feeling of just not being able to cope. It is essential that employees have someone to talk to and look after themselves. It is important that they are getting rest as well as eating properly.

For updates, go to : www.manitobapork.com/animal-care/swine-health/ped

Managing Stress Dealing with PED Industry Wide

Hog Barn Codes – To Renovate or to Build New is the Big Question

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Author: Harry Siemens

Reference: Prairie Hog Country October/November 2017

Summary: FCG. Swine Innovation Porc and Prairie Swine Center collaborated to hold meetings in both Manitoba and Alberta to aid hog producers on what to consider when making expansion plans.

“The focus is really to help people have a look at their current facilities. It can incorporate plans of what they hope to do in the future and to put those two together to make a facility that meets the new code of practices and meets current production today” – Murray Elliot

Pork producers are asking themselves whether they should be building new or renovate due to the 2024 codes of practice that they will need to implement. Although building from scratch is advantageous allowing hog farmers to develop exactly what they want the cost is generally much greater.

When completely rebuilding producers must adhere to the new codes and all of the minimum distances, however when renovating often the producer is grandfathered in. If the facility is in good shape it can generally be renovated at half the cost of completely rebuilding. However, with the new codes most herds do not fit into the old buildings, so most renovations turn into a renovation and an addition.

Hog Barn Codes- To Renovate or to Build New is the Big Question

Compounding Iron Dextran with NSAIDs at Processing

Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Prairie Swine Centre, Production by student on June 19, 2018 | No Comments

Author: Ron Johnson

Publication: Centred on Swine, Winter 2016 Volume 22 Number 2

Summary:

The objective of this project was to evaluate whether the mixing (compounding) of NSAIDs (anti-inflammatory/analgesic agents), such as meloxicam or flunixin meglumine, with iron dextran for administration to piglets at the time of processing has any effects on the availability of the NSAID.

In a series of experiments, the stability and systemic availability of both NSAIDs when mixed with iron dextran in the same bottle for administration to piglets at the time of processing was evaluated. Additionally, the effects of this practice on iron dextran’s ability to increase piglet hemoglobin concentrations were studied.

It was found that the amount of NSAID recovered from the bottle was reduced beginning shortly after mixing.  As well that blood drug levels measured in piglets for each NSAID when compounded with iron dextran was significantly lower than when each NSAID was administered alone to piglets.

There were no significant effects of mixing NSAIDs with iron dextran on iron dextran’s ability to increase hemoglobin following administration to piglets.  The overall conclusion from these experiments is that the mixing of NSAIDs with iron dextran in the same bottle for administration to piglets at the time of processing results in a suspected drug interaction that reduces the shelf-life of the formulation and the amount of NSAID available for therapeutic effects.

Compounding Iron Dextran with NSAIDs at Processing

Using Exploratory Behavior to Increase Pre-Weaning Creep Consumption

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Author: Yolande Seddon and Jennifer Brown

Publication: Centred on Swine, Winter 2016 Volume 22 Number 2

Summary:

This trial investigated if feed consumption both before and after weaning could be increased through stimulating exploratory behavior in piglets. This study question which method would be the best to stimulate exploratory behavior, through the provision of enrichment or through the use of creep feed.

The study concluded that when comparing a large tray feeder to that of a standard feeder, the large tray feeder was more effective at encouraging social feeding and therefor attracting the piglets to creep. The large tray feeder was also more effective than the enrichment, which was a rope that was hung in the farrowing crate.

The tray feeder before weaning also had a positive growth effect on piglets immediately following weaning. It is likely that these growth benefits arose from piglets more readily taking to solid food post weaning as they had already been exposed to it.

These results are favorable as piglets with a reduced growth check post weaning are less likely to have a reduced immune response, making them better prepared for immune challenge.

 Using Exploratory Behavior to Increae Pre-Weaning Creep Consumption

Managing Sows in Groups from Weaning: Are there Advantages

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Author: Yolande Seddon and Jennifer Brown

Publication: Centred on Swine, Winter 2016 Volume 22 Number 2

Summary:

With growing consumer and retailer pressure to limit the utilization of confinement, gestation stalls have been banned in many parts of the world. The question is, with these limitations on stall use have implications for sow fertility and production or could this be advantageous.

This study compared three different times of group housing for sows: Early mixing (directly after weaning), Late Mixing (mixed at five weeks gestation) and pre-socialization (mixed for two days after weaning then stall housed until five weeks gestation).

Measurements were taken for sow aggression, welfare and reproductive performance, and salivary cortisol levels.

In conclusion, they determined that welfare was not significantly affected by the mixing treatments. Grouping sows at weaning is a viable option with correct conditions and management. Grouping sows at weaning appeared to display production advantages indicated by improved conception rates and reduced stillborns.

More work is needed with regards to this hypothesis as the same results may not be evident in a group feeding system where sows are forced to cope with a higher level of competition.

Managing Sows in Groups Post Weaning – Are there Advantages

Can Flaxseed Replace Antibiotics in Nursery Diets?

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Author: Laura Eastwood and Denise Beaulieu

Publication: Centred on Swine, Winter 2016 Volume 22 Number 2

Summary:

Due to the phasing out of antibiotics from feed it is essential to find alternative strategies to aid in nutritional modulation and to help piglets cope with weaning. During weaning they are exposed to three major stressors: nutritional, environmental and social.

In addition to determining if flaxseed would be an effective alternative to antibiotics the study also looked at weaning at 3 weeks of age versus weaning at 4 weeks of age.

The results from this trial show that in a high health situation utilizing antibiotics in feed has no benefit regardless of the age that the piglets are weaned at. In addition, at nursery exit (8 weeks of age), piglets that were weaned at 3 weeks of age had heavier body weights then those weaned at 4 weeks of age. This is believed to be due to that fact that piglets weaned at 3 weeks of age had lower WBC, CK and AST counts.

Can Flaxseed Replace Antibiotics in Nursery Diets

Geothermal Systems for Heating in Pork Production

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Author: Bernardo Predicala, Ph.D.

Publication: Centred on Swine, Winter 2016 Volume 22 Number 2

Summary:

Previous studies have displayed the cost of energy to a swine operation to range from $7 to $12 of every pig sold. This value has been increasing over the years and now represents the third largest cost in producing pigs. Of that energy, a survey of 28 swine farms in Saskatchewan identified that 80% of it was utilized for heating and ventilation.

Conventional heating systems utilize gas, oil or electricity whereas a geothermal system provides energy by using ground heat.

An in barn evaluation of the geothermal system demonstrated approximately a 36% reduction in energy consumption for heating and ventilation in a room with a geothermal system installed during the heating system. This reduction was in comparison to a room that only had a conventional forced-convection heater

Geothermal Systems for Heating in Pork Production