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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:
Prevent dehydration by body temperature control
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Research Watch by admin on December 15, 2011 | No Comments
Day old chicks are very sensitive to external factors. To avoid dehydration it is recommended that chick’s body temperatures be kept at 40-40.6 degrees C. For decades the focus has been on how many chicks hatch, but the time after hatching can be just as crucial to chick quality. After a chick hatches it may not get food or water for up to 72 hours as it gets transported to a farm. This could be a cause of dehydration and detrimental to chick quality.
Dehorning study results
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Research Watch by admin on December 13, 2011 | No Comments
This article gives the results from a study of Italian dairy farmers and their opinions about dehorning cattle. The article has statistics about farmers preferred methods of dehorning and the reasons for using certain methods.
Electric stunning and experience with electro-convulsive therapy
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Research Watch by admin on December 11, 2011 | No Comments
This article discusses research looking into the electrical stunning of animals and if it is effective in reducing pain and suffering. The researchers state that electrical stunning of animals is similar to electro-convulsive therapy, which was deemed unfit for humans. Stunning animals may not be reducing pain and suffering like it should.
Economics and farm animal welfare
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Research Watch by admin on December 7, 2011 | No Comments
This article is a summary of a report which argues that economics should be considered as a factor in decisons about animal welfare. The report argues that economics can help us to understand the relationship between animal and human welfare. The report argues for government intervention in animal welfare, stating that it should not be left up to the free market to determine. The report assess several economic factors involved in animal welfare.
Evaluation of Temperature Conditions in Trucks during Transport of Market Pigs to Slaughter
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Research Watch, Welfare by admin on December 1, 2011 | No Comments
A study was done to find the different temperatures in a trailer of market pigs heading to slaughter. The study was done over a year tracking the temperature in each trailer compartment. The study found that pigs in the belly of the trailer experienced lower temperatures, while pigs in the upper-front and middle-front of the trailer experienced higher temperatures.
Piglets Overcoming Post-Weaning Stress
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Research Watch, Uncategorized, Welfare by admin on November 28, 2011 | No Comments
After weaning there are several factors that contribute to piglets post weaning stress. Post-weaning stress can influence when a pig goes to market and how it converts feed. Being separated from other piglets, switching from wet to dry feed and being in a new environment, all put stress on the piglet which effects its eating habits and requires two to three weeks for the piglet to achieve an optimal feed intake. Organic acids have done a good job to limit the growth and spreading of pathogens in feed but pathogens still effect pigs in all phases of production. Combining organic acids, cinnamaldehyde and a permeabilising substance are some of the ways researchs are trying reduce the effects of pathogens.
Effects Of Stockperson Behaviour On Animal Welfare & Productivity
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Research Watch by admin on | No Comments
This article discusses a study looking at how a stockperson’s behavior can impact an animals heath, welfare and productivity. A study was done treating animals positively (patting, stroking, and making slow movements) and treating animals negatively (hitting, yelling and making fast movements). Negatively handled animals are proven to have increased flight zones, weaker average daily gains, and higher chances of injury and mortality compared to positively handled animals. Training stockperson’s can significantly improve how animals are handled and react to humans.
LED lighting for poultry
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Research Watch by admin on November 22, 2011 | No Comments
LED lighting initially costs more than traditional lights but saves enough energy to offset the cost in the long run. Different LED lighting has different effects on chickens. Red light creates more pecking and excites birds, while blue and green lighting has a calming effect on them. A white light that slowly lights up in the morning and slowly shuts off in the evening, to mimic the rising and setting of the sun, had an effect on when birds would eat and reduced stress caused by lights flicking on and off.
Effect of Sow History on the Performance of Growing-Finishing Pigs
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Research Watch by admin on November 21, 2011 | No Comments
A study was done to find out how a sows early life growth rate and feed intake was passed on to the sows offspring in the grower-finisher stages. The results found that sow traits have an effect on offspring but not enough to explain the vast differences in growth rate and feed intake bewteen pigs.
Cranky Cows A Growing Problem For Oz Farmers
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Research Watch by admin on November 18, 2011 | No Comments
In Australia ‘cranky cows’ are often assumed to be cranky because of heat, dogs, or other external factors irritating the cows. In fact the irritation comes from toxins produced by rye grass endophyte. Cranky cow syndrome is said to cause staggers, heat stress and reduce milk production. There is no known way to end problems with the rye grass toxins, but a new microtoxin binder has been able to reduce the effects.