GroupSowHousing.com Launched

Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Prairie Swine Centre, Press Releases by admin on January 8, 2016 | No Comments

GroupSowHousing.com Launched

Saskatoon, SK, January 8, 2016.  Providing pork producers with the latest information on different types of group sow housing systems, a new website groupsowhousing.com has been launched with the goal of assisting the swine industry in the transition from stalls to groups.  With recent changes to Canada’s Pig Code of Practice all barns newly built or renovated to house gestating sows must utilize group housing, and all producers are encouraged to move to group housing by 2024.  According to Dr. Jennifer Brown the transition to group sow housing needs to be well thought out in advance in order to minimize costs, maintain production and ensure the best possible system is in place for the sows.  “It’s not a one size fits all approach, the website is intended to provide information and increase knowledge and confidence in the swine industry as people look towards making the change to group sow housing and away from stalls.”

Groupsowhousing.com sets out to compile the best science on how to manage sows in groups.  In addition it provides real world examples of producers who have successfully made the transition to group sow housing.  This includes documenting their rationale for the transition to groups, management of the new system, design and construction of group housing, and the costs involved.  According to Dr. Jennifer Brown “the producer experience is a key component of the website, as it gives other producers a clear idea of what’s involved in the transition.”

Producers looking for more information on transitioning to group sow housing will find resources dedicated to different feeding systems (competitive and non-competitive), grouping strategies, and training and management of gilts and sows under group systems.

GroupSowHousing.com is part of the National Sow Housing Conversion Project, funded in part through Swine Innovation Porc, much of the information being available in both official languages.  This project is funded by Swine Innovation Porc within the Swine Cluster 2: Driving Results Through Innovation research program. Funding is provided by Agriculture and Agri‐Food Canada through the AgriInnovation Program, provincial producer organizations and industry partners.

Prairie Swine Centre Inc., located near Saskatoon, is a non-profit research corporation affiliated with the University of Saskatchewan, and is recognized globally for its contributions to practical, applied science in pork production in the disciplines of nutrition, engineering and applied animal behaviour.

For pdf version please click here National Sow Housing Website Launch- January 2016

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For more information, contact:

Dr. Jennifer Brown,

Research Scientist, Ethology

Prairie Swine Centre Inc

Phone:  306-667-7442

Fax: 306-955-2510

E-mail: jennifer.brown@usask.ca

Application of nanoparticles for controlling disease-causing microorganisms in pig barns

Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Prairie Swine Centre by admin on December 18, 2015 | No Comments

Laboratory-scale tests conducted to evaluate the effect of various types of commercially-available nanoparticles on the levels of microorganisms commonly encountered in swine barn environments showed Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles had the highest antimicrobial efficacy among all the nanoparticles tested. Further experiments carried out in the barn indicated that partial filtration of barn air with a filter loaded with ZnO nanoparticles in the ventilation recirculation system achieved reduction in bioaerosol levels at the animal- and human-occupied zones. During sanitation, 10 mg/mL of ZnO nanoparticle solution sprayed on concrete pen floor surfaces showed significant decrease in total bacterial counts on surfaces four hours after application. Microbial population, however, started to increase after new nursery pigs were brought into the room.

Nanoparticles

Can Flaxseed Replace Antibiotics in Starter Diets?

Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Prairie Swine Centre by admin on November 23, 2015 | No Comments

We hypothesized that feeding n-3 FA’s to sows in the form of flaxseed would allow for the removal of Ab’s in starter feeds. Based on the findings from this trial, we can neither accept nor reject this hypothesis, as we found that in our high health herd, Ab’s had no benefit when fed for the first week post-weaning.  Results from this trial have clearly shown that in a high health situation, the use of in feed Ab’s post-weaning had no benefit, regardless of weaning age. This experiment has also shown that, at nursery exit (8 weeks old), piglets weaned at 3 weeks of age had heavier body weights than those weaned at 4 weeks of age, which in part may be due to the fact that piglets weaned at 3 weeks had lower WBC, CK and AST counts relative to those weaned at 4 weeks.

Flaxseed and Antibiotics

Determining the Optimum Stocking Density in Nursery Pigs

Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Prairie Swine Centre, Production by admin on October 26, 2015 | No Comments

Producers must balance the potential negative consequences of high stocking densities and the economic incentive to maximize production when determining the number of pigs placed per pen or building unit. The minimum space requirement in the Canadian Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs (k= 0.0335) is based on extensive research on grower-finisher pigs. However, comparatively little research has been done on nursery pigs, and there is speculation that these requirements over-estimate the space needs of nursery pigs. The aim of this research project is to determine the optimal density for nursery pigs that considers both production goals and animal welfare. The three year project will be completed in two phases, with phase 1 studies taking place at Prairie Swine Centre and phase 2 taking place in two commercial production barns (one in SK and one in MB). Both phases will compare the effects of six different density treatments in nursery pigs.

INTRODUCTION

Floor space allowance is a complex issue in swine production, and one that is critical for both economic and welfare reasons. There is currently a significant body of research on the effects of space allowances in grow-finish pigs (Edwards et al., 1988, Ekkel et al., 2003, McGlone and Newby, 1994, Pastorelli et al., 2006). The values established have been used as the basis for space allowance requirements for nursery pigs (NFACC, 2014). Relatively little is known regarding the effects of stocking density on nursery pigs (EFSA, 2005, Gonyou et al., 2006). Because nursery pigs are commonly observed to overlie one-another when resting, the k value which is appropriate for finishing pigs may in fact overestimate the space requirements of nursery pigs.

Although individual pig growth declines at higher densities, overall farm productivity can increase as higher numbers of pigs are produced per unit of building space (Kornegay and Knotter, 1984). Thus, the economic optimum for space may be lower than that for achieving maximum growth rate. However, stocking at higher densities can also negatively affect the welfare of the pig, with risk of immune suppression and increased disease susceptibility (Turner et al., 2000) or restriction of pigs’ ability to express normal behaviour.

It has been recommended that evaluations of space requirements for pigs should include changes in the behaviour of pigs, and establish the welfare relevance of such changes, to support calculation of space allowances based on what space an animal needs rather than solely on the basis of production performance (Ekkel et al., 2003). Group size and seasonal differences should also be evaluated or controlled for as these factors may also influence growth and behavior (Hyunh et al., 2005, Spoolder et al., 2012),. It has been suggested that larger groups of pigs may require less space, due to the sharing of free space (McGlone and Newby, 1994). However, this has also been disputed (Street and Gonyou, 2008).

This study will examine measures of productivity and welfare in nursery pigs, and will include an economic analysis comparing space allowance treatments above and below the Code requirement of k= 0.0335.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Phase 1

Animals: Density studies at PSCI were conducted using 1,200 newly-weaned pigs that were housed in the nursery for 5 weeks. Piglets were housed at one of six different densities (k= 0.023, 0.0265, 0.0300, 0.0335, 0.0370, and 0.0390) in pens of either 10 or 40 pigs/group. For four replicate trials were completed over a one year period, with one replicate per season.  Pigs were weighed weekly and pen size was adjusted weekly to the prescribed density based on the predicted average body weight. Two temperature and humidity monitors (iButtons) were placed in each pen, suspended approximately 15cm above pig height to monitor conditions at pig level. An additional iButton was suspended in the center of the room to monitor room temperature and humidity throughout the trial.

Data collection: Video cameras were placed above each pen to record pig behaviour for a 24 period once per week. An infra-red setting was used during the hours of darkness. Scan sampling at 15 minute intervals was used to identify laying postures and overlying behavior.  The time budgets of four focal piglets, including the amount of time spent feeding, drinking, standing, lying and socializing were also evaluated for each week. Standard nursery diets were provided ad libitum, and feed weigh backs were recorded weekly. Total feed consumption and animal weights were recorded on a weekly basis.

Lesion scores were assessed weekly as pigs were weighed, and used as an estimate of aggression (Table 1). Saliva samples were collected weekly from four focal pigs for determination of cortisol as an indicator of stress. The immune response was tested in six pigs per pen, with  pigs receiving vaccines for Mycoplasma hyopneumonie. Serum samples were collected at three time points to determine M.hyo specific IgG as a measure of immune competence.

Phase 2

Animals: Two commercial operations with good health status and levels of productivity were identified through industry contacts and provincial pork agencies. One site was selected in Manitoba and the second in Saskatchewan. The same six density treatments used in phase I will be tested. Unlike phase I, pens in phase 2 will kept at a constant size, and the number of pigs per pen will be adjusted based on the expected weight at nursery exit (approximately 25 kg). Animals are fed and cared for following the standard management practices on each farm and information on temperature and humidity within the rooms will be collected using iButton data loggers, similar to the methods used in phase I.

Data collection: Pigs on trial will be weighed to determine average daily gain. At the same time skin lesions, ear tip necrosis, tail biting and general health will be assessed by a trained observer. Morbidity, mortality and any treatments will be recorded throughout the trial. At three time points, time lapse videos will collected over 7 hours. Postures and lying behaviours of the pigs will be assessed using scan sampling, as described for phase I.

Determining the Optimum Stocking Density in Nursery Pigs

Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Prairie Swine Centre by admin on August 18, 2015 | No Comments

Floor space allowance is a complex issue in swine production, and one that is critical for both economic and welfare reasons. There is currently a significant body of research on the effects of space allowances in grow-finish pigs (Edwards et al., 1988, Ekkel et al., 2003, McGlone and Newby, 1994, Pastorelli et al., 2006). The values established have been used as the basis for space allowance requirements for nursery pigs (NFACC, 2014). Relatively little is known regarding the effects of stocking density on nursery pigs (EFSA, 2005, Gonyou et al., 2006). Because nursery pigs are commonly observed to overlie one-another when resting, the k value which is appropriate for finishing pigs may in fact overestimate the space requirements of nursery pigs.

Although individual pig growth declines at higher densities, overall farm productivity can increase as higher numbers of pigs are produced per unit of building space (Kornegay and Knotter, 1984). Thus, the economic optimum for space may be lower than that for achieving maximum growth rate. However, stocking at higher densities can also negatively affect the welfare of the pig, with risk of immune suppression and increased disease susceptibility (Turner et al., 2000) or restriction of pigs’ ability to express normal behaviour.

It has been recommended that evaluations of space requirements for pigs should include changes in the behaviour of pigs, and establish the welfare relevance of such changes, to support calculation of space allowances based on what space an animal needs rather than solely on the basis of production performance (Ekkel et al., 2003). Group size and seasonal differences should also be evaluated or controlled for as these factors may also influence growth and behavior (Hyunh et al., 2005, Spoolder et al., 2012),. It has been suggested that larger groups of pigs may require less space, due to the sharing of free space (McGlone and Newby, 1994). However, this has also been disputed (Street and Gonyou, 2008).

This study will examine measures of productivity and welfare in nursery pigs, and will include an economic analysis comparing space allowance treatments above and below the Code requirement of k= 0.0335.

Zinc Oxide and Antimicrobial Resistance in Pigs

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

The objective of this research was to investigate whether therapeutic use of zinc oxide (ZnO) in swine production creates selective pressure for the emergence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) due to co-location of the zinc-resistance gene (czrC) and methicillin-resistance gene (mecA) within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). A randomized-controlled trial was completed using 110 pigs that were naturally colonized with czrC-positive MRSA. The prevalence of MRSA was significantly higher when pigs were fed a ration containing 3000 ppm of zinc oxide compared to the control group (100 ppm zinc). In an observational study of 26 farms, it was found that the use of therapeutic levels of zinc oxide (>2000 ppm) was associated with a higher likelihood of finding MRSA in nasal swabs of weanling pigs. The overall conclusion from these studies is that high levels of zinc oxide in starter rations are associated with a higher prevalence of pigs carrying MRSA.

Reducing Energy Cost in Swine Production Facilities

Posted in: Prairie Swine Centre by admin on | No Comments

Specific project funding was provided by Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture’s ADOPT program.

Feeder Adjustment is Important to the Bottom Line

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Specific project funding was provided by Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture’s ADOPT program.

Auto Sort Systems for Finishing Pigs

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Specific project funding was provided by Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture’s ADOPT program.

Application of Nano-Particles for controlling disease-causing microorganisms in pig barns

Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Prairie Swine Centre by admin on August 17, 2015 | No Comments

Laboratory-scale tests conducted were to evaluate the effectiveness of various types of commercially-available nanoparticles on the levels of microorganisms commonly encountered in swine barns.  Results indicate Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles had the highest antimicrobial efficacy among all the nanoparticles tested. Further experiments carried out in the barn indicated that partial filtration of barn air with a filter loaded with ZnO nanoparticles in the ventilation recirculation system achieved reduction in bioaerosol levels at the animal- and human-occupied zones. During sanitation, 10 mg/mL of ZnO nanoparticle solution sprayed on concrete pen floor surfaces showed significant decrease in total bacterial counts on surfaces four hours after application. Microbial population, however, started to increase after new nursery pigs were brought into the room.

In assessing the feasibility of the use of ZnO nanoparticles as part of sanitation procedures between batches of animals, the total cost associated with the application of ZnO nanoparticles was compared to the cost incurred when using the conventional chemical disinfectant. Using the application rate identified from the room-scale trials (10 mg/mL), the total amount of ZnO nanoparticles required to disinfect a 100-head grow-finish room at the end of each room cycle was estimated to be about 0.7 kg. The duration to prepare and apply the treatment would be about 3 hours per cycle. In addition, the total cost for the required materials included the cost of mixing containers, weighing scale and funnels. Summing up all these estimates, the total cost associated with ZnO nanoparticles as a disinfectant in a grow-finish stage of operation was around CAD$1.14 per finished pig. This was just CAD$0.12 per pig higher than the use of the conventional disinfectant (CAD$1.02 per finished pig). The unit price per kilogram of the conventional disinfectant was slightly higher than ZnO nanoparticles but because of its higher water solubility, the time to prepare and apply the treatment was lower than with ZnO nanoparticles. Nevertheless, the slim margin of the total cost associated with ZnO nanoparticle solution compared to the conventional chemical disinfectant can be compensated by its effectiveness to reduce further the levels of microorganisms on surfaces when preparing the room for next growth cycle.