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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:
Assessing Trailer Cleanliness
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Prairie Swine Centre, Production by student on June 19, 2018 | No Comments
Author: Ken Engele, BSA. Prairie Swine Centre
Publication: Centred on Swine, Spring 2018 Volume 24 Number 1
Summary: In order to maintain effective biosecurity it is essential that proper washing and disinfection of the transport trailers occurs. Recent studies have focused on the use of ATP bioluminescence for the inspection of the trailers. Traditionally, microbiological culture method can be used but this takes time as it utilizes plated media. Beneficially ATP bioluminescence displays results in only minutes. A study was done that tested a minimum of 10 trailers per week at two different locations. Through this study a list was developed depicting the advantages and disadvantages of ATP bioluminescence.
| Advantage | Disadvantage |
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Easy to implement |
Additional step to the cleaning process |
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Easy to train staff
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Proper handling and storage of swabs needs to occur for accurate results |
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Results in employees being more engaged in the cleaning process as they are curious to know how they are doing |
Swabbing could require entering the trailer after disinfecting occurs |
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Removes some subjectivity from cleaning process |
Samples a small area and does not eliminate visual inspection |
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Rapid assessment – eliminates significant downtime for the trailer |
Variance in meter reading related to environmental contamination |
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Trailers that require additional cleaning are identified before leaving the wash bay |
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Meter is multipurpose – can be used to assess cleanliness in other areas of operation |
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Builds due diligence and quality control |
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Fewer rejected trailers at production facility |
Of the two facilities that participated in the study, one will continue to utilize ATP bioluminescence during trailer inspection.
MCFA technology: New Option for Swine Producers’ Toolbox
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Publication: Prairie Hog Country, June/July 2018
Summary: MCFA is feed additive technology that utilizes molecules of carbon to enhance the pigs gut morphology. Supporting gut morphology should influence performance parameters such as gain and feed conversion ratio and beneficial wellness support. MCFA aids in helping to reduce the use of antimicrobials in the diet. This is necessary as the industry focus is to enforce the use of antimicrobials only under veterinary provision. Due to the natural occurrence of MCFA’s they fulfill niche market requirements which are becoming more preferred and accepted by consumers. Research has demonstrated that the health status of the gastrointestinal tract is strongly associated with the overall health of the animal. MCFA’s help to optimize gut health and performance.
Manitoba Has its First PED Virus Case in 2018
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Author: Harry Siemens
Publication: Prairie Hog Country, June/July 2018
Summary: In Southeastern Manitoba, the first new case of vPED of 2018 has been confirmed. As a result it is recommended by the Chief Veterinary Office that producers enhance biosecurity on the premise. Looking back to the premises effected by the 2017 outbreak, there are 68 that are presumptive negative, 11 in the transitional and one positive site. Producers have the ability to log on to the Manitoba Coordinated Disease Response (MCDR) that is online to find detailed information regarding status and location of all infected premises. Examining disease standing for the first quarter of 2018 it is apparent that Erysipelas is evident in the background with clinical signs appearing when producers choose not to vaccinate. Other diseases that have seen an increase in 2018 are Greasy Pig, Rotavirus and Influenza.
Lessons Learned Looking Back to 2017 PEDv Outbreak in Manitoba
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Author: Harry Siemens
Publication: Prairie Hog Country, June/July 2018
Summary: Looking back at the 2017 PEDv outbreak in Manitoba as a lesson for future disease control project workers conducted interviews. These interviews were held with producers, feed companies, transporters, assembly yards, diagnostic labs and representatives of the Manitoba Chief Veterinary Office and Manitoba Pork. Through these interviews they analyzed what was working well and what did not, where they needed to change and established some recommendations for future outbreaks. Biosecurity varied significantly within the industry, having some producers practices little to none. They looked at short term strategies that these and other producers could implement to enhance their biosecurity in times of outbreak. These protocols were not sustainable but would help to protect the farms during these times. They would include restricted access protocols, reducing people entering the farm, limited visitors, reducing frequency of movements and dedicating the staff to restricted barns.
Lessons Learned Looking Back to the 2017 PEDv Outbreak in Manitoba
Hope Remains for a New NAFTA
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Author: Harry Siemens
Publication: Prairie Hog Country, June/July 2018
Summary: Although informal deadlines have passed there is still hope regarding the development of a new NAFTA. There are still some issues that remain unresolved; however it has become apparent that there is significant government support for the NAFTA. Both the Canadian and US agriculture sectors have benefited from the NAFTA in the past. Although there is still an abundance of work to be done revising and rewriting some aspects of the NAFTA there is belief that the because of the support it is receiving the outcome will be a revamped North American Free Trade Agreement.
It’s The Brand Folks!
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Author: Harry Siemens
Publication: Prairie Hog Country, June/July 2018
Summary: Verified Canadian Pork is the brand that focuses the many things that producers do, including the Canadian Quality Assurance Program. This brand has aided in selling pork to markets such as Japan. Traceability, which is mandatory within Canada, is one of the key components to the successful brand. Another component aiding in the development of verified Canadian pork is that it is developed hormone free. These aspects have helped to increase the acceptability from consumers, such as the Japanese, who are unable to be self-reliant. This creates a lucrative opportunity for the export of pork.
HyLife Finishes $176 Million Expansion at the Neepawa Processing Plant
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Author: Harry Siemens
Publication: Prairie Hog Country, June/July 2018
During an open house HyLife displayed the $176 million dollar expansion, which mostly focused on the Neepawa processing plant. The company installed leading edge technology as well as added 100 thousand square feet to the processing plant.
This $176 million also includes the establishment of a feed mill in Killarney and hog barns in western Manitoba. Through the upgrade and expansion HyLife created 165 jobs for Canadians. The majority of the meat that is produced by HyLife is exported to Asian markets in the form of fresh chilled pork.
The expansion added technology that will aid in increasing the shelf life of this pork as it is essential being as there is a significant amount of travel time for these markets. Most of the pork that HyLife exports the company produces, however they do purchase some of it from producers in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
On Farm Biosecurity: Auditing Best Management Practices
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Production by student on June 12, 2018 | No Comments
Author: Ken Engele
Centred on Swine Spring 2018, Volume 24, Number 1
Summary: When reviewing the management practices on 24 farms throughout Canada it became apparent that overall producers are doing a fairly good job at implementing procedures regarding biosecurity within their operations. However, there were some potential areas of improvement, including: being relaxed when it came to a visitors audit (over 50% not up to date) and 1/3 of facilities did not have proper signage pertaining to biosecurity protocols.
Almost all of the facilities kept the supply of animals entering their facility from only one source, over 80% have adopted biosecurity measures for entering the premise (ie. taking a shower and changing) and all of the facilities ensured that staff were properly trained with regards to biosecurity.
Fermented soybean meal for newly weaned piglets
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Authors: A.D. Beaulieu, A.G. van Kessel, P. Leterme, and D. Gillis
Centred on Swine Spring 2017, Volume 23, Number 1
Summary: Due to the presence of anti-nutritional factors soybean is limited in its inclusion in young piglet diets. Fermentation of soybean meal has been shown to effectively remove the tryspin inhibitors. This study compared the effects of feeding soybean mean and fermented soybean meal to piglets. When comparing piglets who received soybean meal to those who has received fermented soybean meal it is evident that the piglets consuming the fermented soybean meal had a reduced body weight. The diet that was included soybean meal also demonstrated the highest average daily gain. From this study they concluded that there is no advantage of using fermented soybean meal to using soybean meal. They also concluded that more research has to be done pertaining to the palatability of fermented soybean meal.
Grower/Finisher Feeders: Design, Behavior and Performance
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Authors: H.W. Gonyou and Z. Lou
February 28, 1998
Summary: Researchers categorized commercial feeders into four groups which were analyzed for their influence on different style. It was determined that anything smaller than 34 cm restricted market pigs and larger than 39 cm allowed for two smaller pigs to feed at the same time. They also anaylzed the effect of different feeder types on feed intake and average daily gain (ADG). It was apparent that feed intake and ADG were 5% higher in wet/dry feeder than the dry feeders. Feed efficiency did not differ among any of the different types of feeders. When feeders provided protection for the pigs it resulted in the pigs being removed by other pigs through force. All feeders were in the range of 2-5.8% for spillage with no statistical differences between the different feeders. It was also concluded that pigs eating wet feed ate at a rate 3 times faster than those consuming dry feed.
Through the use of an adjustable feeder (adjustments could be made to lip height, feeder depth, width and feeding shelf height), they determined that the depth of the feeder had the most significant influence on the amount of times the pigs stepped into the feeder. It was also concluded that pigs prefer to feed at an angle of 30°.