Influence of dietary nitrogen content and source to improve growth performance and lean gain in finisher pigs
Daniel Columbus- Previous trials done in grower pigs have shown that it is possible to replace some dietary protein or amino acids (AA) with a source of non-protein nitrogen (NPN) such as ammonium phosphate, while maintaining growth performance. However, the...
Does providing high vitamin diets in gestation improve performance and passive immunity?
Hannah Burlet, Frederic Beaudoin, Beatrice Sauve, Laetitia Cloutier, Matheus Costa, Danyel Bueno Dalto – While studies have looked at increasing a subset of vitamins during gestation, no published works have looked at increasing the concentrations of all vitamins normally included...
Finding balance: What is good for the animals is good for production
Jen-Yun Chou – This is Part 1 of the ‘Barn Insights Series’, which focuses on practical solutions to group sow housing. In this first part, Jen-Yun describes her visit to Marcel Egli’s sow barn in Ontario. They use a system...
Creep feeding handbook
This handbook discusses the potential benefits and challenges of creep feeding. The handbook gives an overview of the effects of creep feed on sow and piglet performance, and piglet behaviour and physiology. It also talks about which piglets in a...
The effect of standard and large pellet creep feed on the performance and blood parameters of weanling pigs
Jen-Yun Chou, Kylie Kallal, Abigail Tillotson – It is recommended that diets designed for young pigs should include less carbohydrates and lysine and more fibre to minimise insulin spikes. High fibre ingredients typically contain higher iron levels compared to more...
Promoting play behaviour in grow-finish pigs
KarolÃna Steinerová, Yolande Seddon – Play behaviour has been associated with excitement and fun, suggesting that playing animals experience pleasurable states. To determine if the provision of play opportunities could enhance the quality of life of pigs, this study investigated...
Optimizing temperature requirements of pigs to reduce energy use in swine production
Nolan Matuba, Alvin Alvarado, Bernardo Predicala – The overarching goal of this research project is to investigate the optimum environmental temperature requirements of sows and grower-finisher pigs to reduce energy costs and greenhouse gases while maintaining their long-term overall productivity...
Improving the quality of life of pigs
Miranda Smit, Ken Engele, Jen-Yun Chou – The term environmental enrichment describes the changes (modifications or additions to the environment) designed to improve the living conditions of the pigs by allowing them to express a wider range of natural behaviours....
Challenges and opportunities for swine nutrition
Dan Columbus – The issues facing pork producers and swine nutritionists moving into the future are similar to what they have been for decades, a need to increase productivity while meeting increasing demands from legislation and consumers to ensure economic,...
Effective enrichment promotes performance
Abby Tillotson – It is well known that environmental enrichment provides several benefits to intensively raised pigs, such as reducing tail biting, increasing play, and improving disease resiliency. Despite the importance of providing enrichment during the early stage of life,...
Prairie Swine Centre Research Scientist, Nutrition Appointment
It is with great pleasure that we announce the appointment of Dr. Atta Agyekum as the new Research Scientist – Nutrition at Prairie Swine Centre Inc. Atta will assume responsibilities on July 14, 2025. More information can be found in...
Transepithelial ion transport in the stomach of pigs exposed to gastric ulcer conditions
Gastric ulcers in pigs increase significantly when stressful events occur. However, the exact causes of these gastric ulcerations remain unclear. Gastric acid production is known to be influenced by anionic secretion. An Ussing chamber study was conducted to evaluate the...
