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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 learning and memory in pigs
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Research Watch by admin on October 12, 2011 | No Comments
In recent years there has been increasing interest in pig cognition because of the similarity of the pigs brain to the human brain. Several studies will be done to quantify previously studied information about the memory and learning abilities of pigs.
Trailer compartments and density
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Research Watch by admin on October 11, 2011 | No Comments
Brad White and others conducted research to find if the location a cow is placed on a trailer has an effect on its performance or health. The trailer location was found to have a short lasting effect on the cattle. White als0 states that cattle in the front required less treatment then cattle in the middle but more research is required to find out why.
Selecting for better nest acceptance
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Research Watch by admin on October 4, 2011 | No Comments
This article discusses how the new EU directive for laying hens has changed the selective characteristics for laying hens. Now producers must consider nest acceptance, oviposition time and duration of stay in the nest to avoid floor eggs. A new testing system is able to track individual bird behaviour which helps make selections based on nesting behaviour.
Breeder chickens show different behaviors
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Research Watch by admin on | No Comments
Researchers believe that because chickens have been raised in cages for so long, and from an elite bloodline that does not factor in behavioral traits, that there has been a failure in mating habits and increased aggression in the flocks. Looking at different blood lines and time periods researchers found some differences in aggression and mating habits.
Accelerated Colostrum Feeding to Dairy Calves
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Research Watch by admin on October 1, 2011 | No Comments
This article explores the role of accelerated colostrum feeding as a potential cause of various diseases among dairy calves. The article questions the common practice of feeding 4L of colostrum to a calf in one meal. Also discussed is the negitive side effects that occur from using a esophageal feeder.
Refusal to Suckle after Colostrum Feeding
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This article discusses why dairy calves refuse meals after receiving colostrum. A study of 244 cows found that about half refused their next meal after being fed colostrum. The study found that their was a difference in meal refusal based on how the cow was fed the colostrum and how much colostrum the received.
Adequate colostrum intake critical for newborn piglets
Posted in: Nutrition, Pork Insight Articles, Research Watch by admin on | No Comments
A pilot study was done on 200 piglets to find out how colostrum intake effected piglets weaning weights, birth weight and survival to weaning. In a litter of pigs there can be massive differences in each piglets colostrum requirements. The study found that colostrum intake did not effect weaning weights or survival to weaning rates.
Turkey Feathers and Productivity
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Research Watch by admin on August 24, 2011 | No Comments
Feathers are one thing that make chickens and turkeys unique when it comes to livestock. Logically a well feathered bird is a good sign. This article discusses how feathers can help determine the welfare of birds. The article covers feather growth, feather replacement, molting of feathers, and how daylight effects feathers. Also discussed is how proper management can improve a birds feathers.
Effect of local anaesthesia and/or analgesia on pain responses induced by piglet castration
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Research Watch, Welfare by admin on January 1, 2011 | No Comments
A study was done to find out if pain could be reduced during piglet castration. By treating pigs with local anaesthesia before castration and analgesia after castration it was determined that the pain reduction was effective.
Group housing insights
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Research Watch by admin on December 23, 2010 | No Comments
This article discusses the benefits of group housing dairy calves. The article also talks about things that should be considered when operating a group housing system.