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Industry Partners
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:
Overview of Risk Management for Swine Facilities
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Production by admin on July 6, 2017 | No Comments
This presentation is an overview of the risk assessment services provided by Aon Risk Solutions.
INTERACTIONS BETWEEN PATHOGENS AND SWINE MANURE
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Although studies are limited, with the exception of penicillin, there is little evidence to support the use of antibiotics added to animal feeds can affected the number of pathogens in pigs or poultry. There are few studies that indicate that short-term antibiotic use in animals contributes to the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria in manure. It has been established that the use of antibiotics will select for
antimicrobial resistant microorganisms in the feces of animals but the microbial ecology of fecal microorganisms is rapidly restored once the antibiotic use is terminated. There is some evidence that antibiotic use on the farm can lead to colonization of humans with antimicrobial resistant pathogens. Antimicrobial resistant Salmonella in humans has been tmced to farms and contaminated manure is potentially the source of infection. Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are emerging as a global threat to public health and VRE’s have been isolated from poultry and swine. Transmission of VRE’s form animals to humans has not been documented. Indeed, the transmission of antibiotic resistant
pathogens from animal manure to humans is a major pubic heath concern but there is yet little information to support or refute these concerns.
HANDLING AND LAND APPLICATION SYSTEMS FOR SOLID AND SEMI-SOLID MANURE
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The application of manure nutrients to cropland in an environmentally acceptable manner is an essential component of future agricultuml production worldwide. Manure nutrients applied at rates that match crop nutrient requirements are the basis of manure management programs, which maximize nutrient uptake
and minimize the potential for ground and surface water pollution. To achieve this requires knowledge of the nutrient content of the manure and the ability to apply manure accurately at rates that meet but do not exceed crop needs. In addition to the nutrient content of manure, the physical and flow properties of the material can help predict material-machine interactions, affecting the performance and efficiency of the equipment. Improved handling and land application technologies will make the management of different forms of solid and semi-solid manure in large quantities a more technologically and economically interesting alternative for both livestock and field crop producers.
STORAGE OF EXTENDED BOAR SEMEN AT 5°C: EFFECTS OF EXTENDER, COOLING METHOD AND INCUBATION TIME
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Sperm motility was affected by the cooling rate used. Stepwise cooling to 17°C favoured total motility values during the six days of storage if the sperm were stored at 5°C without incubation at 17°C. In contrast, progressive motility values for sperm incubated at 17°C for 24 hr prior to storage at 5°C were greater when the sperm were directly cooled to 17°C.
While progressive and total motilities were superior when sperm were stored at 17°C, adequate motility values were possible when sperm were stored at 5°C but depended on a 24h incubation period at 17°C. Viability and normal morphology values for sperm stored at 5°C following 24 hr incubation at 17°C did not differ from sperm stored at 17°C.
These results indicate that extended boar semen can be stored at 5°C with acceptable values of sperm motility, viability and normal morphology over time. Progressive and total motilities were most sensitive to the decrease to 5°C. Based on these results, the optimum method is to directly cool the sperm to 17°C, followed by incubation at 17°C for 24 hr prior to lowering the temperature to 5°C. It is important to note that these are laboratory results and an insemination trial is required to confirm these laboratory findings prior to implementation in the field.
EFFECTS OF LARGE GROUP SIZES ON PERFORMANCE OF GROWER-FINISHER PIGS
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On the basis of these experiments, forming grower-finisher pigs into group sizes of up to 108 pigs/pen does not appear to have any detrimental effects on overall performances. Commonly held fears of increased levels of aggression and behavioural vices with increasing group sizes were not substantiated in our experiments. Housing pigs up to 108 pigs with adequate resources appears to have only minor effects on productivity and social behaviour of grower-finisher pigs.
HYDROGEN SULPHIDE CONCENTRATION WHILE PULLING PIT PLUGS AND POWER-WASHING ROOMS
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Four pig farms were studied to assess the barn workers’ exposure to hydrogen sulphide (H2S) while pulling pit plugs and power-washing production rooms. Results indicated that plug pulling generated high concentrations of H2S reaching 1,000 ppm in some cases. All the farms studied had plug pulling events that exceeded limits defined by the Occupational and Safety Regulations of Saskatchewan. The H2S released when a plug was pulled did not follow a predictable pattern over time and within the room space. Power washing generated lower H2S concentrations than plug pulling but workers were exposed for a longer time period. Based on this study, swine barn workers may be exposed to H2S concentrations that exceed acceptable limits when pulling pit plugs and power-washing rooms. Personal monitors should be provided to all barn workers and training and standard operating procedures are needed so workers can learn how to deal with routine operations and emergency situations when high H2S concentrations are generated .
VARIATION IN PIG PERFORMANCE: A CHECKLIST TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE
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Variation in bodyweight has a large impact on the profitability of pork production in western Canada.
Variation is measured as either standard deviation or coefficient of variation.
Reasonable targets for CV are 20% of weaning weights, 12 to 15% for nursery exit weights and I 0 to 12% for weight at first pull from the finishing barn.
The number of animals that must be weighed in order to accumtely estimate CV is greater than that required to estimate the avemge weight.
More animals must be weighed at younger ages, because variation as a proportion of the mean is much higher.
If the CV for bodyweight in the feeder barn is above I 5%, reducing it is a reasonable possibility, and probably includes increasing access to feed and water and addressing health problems. if present.
If the CV in growout is less than 12%. then the best strategy is to management variability, as reducing it will be very difficult.
Keeping new diseases out of your farm: The role of the Canadian Swine Health Intelligence Network
Posted in: Economics, Pork Insight Articles, Production by admin on June 14, 2017 | No Comments
CSHIN is an industry operated surveillance network: The network has been
set up with producers at all levels of decision-making – they influence responses
and communications. Confidentiality is critical. It responds to diseases that
normally fall through the cracks, common endemic diseases that cost money but
are not the responsibility of any level of government (Brachyspira for instance).
The information from the network is there to help your veterinarian manage
diseases on your farm. The primary role of CSHIN is to help individual veterinarians to reduce the burden of disease (losses of animals and productivity and costs from management of disease) on their clients (the producers) individual farms, by preventing and managing swine diseases.
Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus – Manitoba Pork Council
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This presentation outlines the transmission, pathogenesis and pathology of PEDv with useful pictures and advice for protecting against the disease.
Group Housing of Sows: Getting it Right Sandra Edwards
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This presentation outlines several topics as they relate to factors important for sow welfare especially regarding housing systems challenges and solutions in managing feeding, aggression and breeding.