Western Hog Journal Summer 2016
Articles in the Summer 2016 Western Hog Journal Include: Science: Seeking the best flooring slat and gap widths Guidelines are being developed to select and design slatted flooring in group sow housing to improve sow comfort and health while maintaining...
Western Hog Journal Banff 2016
Articles in the Banff 2016 Western Hog Journal include: Clear Path for Future of Canadian Hog Industry, Pork export Markets and Trade Agreements Three areas to focus on for the future include animal welfare, health and nutrition as well as...
Measuring the Prevalence of Antimicrobial Resistance and Pathogens
Public apprehension about using antibiotics in livestock production is increasing along with concerns about antimicrobial resistance. Measures have been implemented in Canada that include a total ban on livestock feed with antibiotics and strict regulations on using antibiotics as a...
Infrared Camera Tech Measured as Tool for Swine Health
Infrared cameras may be able to identify stressed or sick pigs before they are taken to the packing plant, and may even be able to predict a tendency for poor meat quality. This would improve swine herd health and reduce...
On-Farm Demonstrations Quench Thirst for Water Knowledge
In an on-farm demonstration, nipple drinkers were replaced with water bowls in the nursery to see how water disappearance was affected. Water disappearance was reduced by 33% when the bowls were used and no negative effects on pig growth performance...
Comparison of Performance of Radiant and Forced-Convection Heaters in Swine Grow-Finish Rooms
Many energy intensive operations are a part of swine production, including ventilation, lighting, space and creep feeding, power washing and more. Energy prices keep increasing so that it is now the third highest cost of hog production. Ventilation and heating...
Application of Computer Simulation to Evaluate Potential Measures for Improving Energy Efficiency in Hog Production
Swine production is an energy-intensive industry and prices are only rising. Energy use varies widely in Saskatchewan barns, showing that there should be numerous ways to decrease the energy usage. Numerical computer simulation techniques were used to evaluate measures and...
Managing Winter Ventilation
Assuming proper ventilation parameters are monitored and daily maintenance and repairs are performed, winter ventilation is not that different than any other time of the year is Saskatchewan. Staff need to be more vigilant on ensuring day to day fluctuations...
Improving your Barn Environment
A checklist on how to improve your barn environment. Improving your Barn Environment (full article)
Demonstrating Water Conservation
An essential nutrient for pig growth is water. Water wastage leads to increased costs and often comes from nipple drinkers. When they are adjusted properly the water wasted is up to 25%, but commonly commercial farms report 40 to 60%....
Washing Procedures, Auditing Best Management Practices
The top uses of water in swine barns are drinking and cleaning. Reducing water through water conservation strategies will reduce the cost of production and have a more sustainable environmental effect as less manure is produced. Most barns audited pre-soak...
Assessing Trailer Cleanliness
An important step in maintaining biosecurity is proper washing and disinfection of transport trailers. Visual inspection is not aa reliable assessment for measuring cleanliness. Using microbiological culture works, though the plating of media and incubation time make it somewhat impractical...
