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2105 – 8th Street East

Saskatoon, SK, S7H 5N9

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Centred on Swine

Assessing Enrichment for Sows

Most research on the different forms of enrichment are done on piglets and growing pigs. In these pigs, some benefits include reduced aggression and fear, fewer behavioural vices and improved growth. Older animals such as sows differ and generally prefer manipulable and destructible enrichments compared...

Improving Biosecurity in Swine Transport

There are serious gaps in biosecurity, especially related to transportation. There is a need for easier to clean trailers and better sanitizing and cleaning procedures in order to reduce disease transmission. Issues that hinder the cleaning of trailers include downtime required between loads, a limited...

Assessing Cleanliness of Swine Transportation Trailers

A significant risk for transmission of swine diseases is pig transportation. This area needs to be researched to see what biosecurity measures can be taken to reduce risk of disease. Visual inspection as a means for assessing cleanliness is not consistent or reliable so an...

Zinc Oxide and Antimicrobial Resistance in Pigs

An essential nutrient in a pigs diet is zinc, with minimum levels need around  100 ppm. In early starter rations, zinc oxide is often used therapeutically to control post-weaning E. coli diarrhea in levels of 2000 to 3000 ppm. Zinc oxide used therapeutically may create...

The Importance of Nitrogen for Growth

Protein is the second most expensive nutrient after energy in swine rations. While essential amino acids have been looked at extensively regarding requirements needed, total dietary nitrogen and non-essential amino acids have not. Pigs can use non-protein nitrogen to correct essential amino acid deficiency, though...

Getting More Piglets Interested in Creep Feed

Many piglets do not eat before weaning, even though it helps ease the weaning dip if they do. Weaning is a stressful period for piglets; they are removed from the sow and put into an unfamiliar environment, mixed with unknown piglets and have an abrupt...

Research in Pigs Benefits Human Health

The pig is one of the most appropriate models for health science research as they have anatomical, developmental and physiological similarities to humans. The knowledge gained from this research will benefit both the human health sciences and the agricultural industry. The Prairie Swine Centre works...

Feeding Fusarium Contaminated Grain

Fusarium has been reported throughout western Canada. The principle toxin DON (deoxynivalenol or vomatoxin) contaminates the grain and impacts the feeding of pigs that ingest it. Average daily gain and feed intake are suppressed when fed DON levels over 1 to 2 ppm. Vomiting occurs...