Farrowing Systems, Auditing Best Management Practices
Birth to weaning is the most critical period in the life cycle of a pig. Farrowing practices directly impact the piglets and their performance and also the future breeding herd performance. 21 farms were audited across Canada to see the...
Gestation Housing Systems, Auditing Best Management Practices
The deadline to convert to group sow housing systems is 2024. In order to help this transition go smoothly, best management practices were looked at in 24 Canadian farms. Two thirds of the barns that have already switched over use...
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...
Personal Protection and Training, Auditing Best Management Practices
A safe work environment is the employers responsibility and is very important in the Canadian pork industry. Some protection used commonly includes hearing protection, dust masks and hydrogen sulphide monitors. The monitors should be used in key day-to-day activities, not...
On-Farm Biosecurity Auditing Best Management Practices
Audit results across Canada show that producers know the importance of biosecurity. Almost all the farms that participated had only one source of animals entering the facility, showering with a change of clothes and reviewing biosecurity protocols yearly were common...
Feeder Design Chart
Minimum feeder space width should equal the largest pigs shoulder width plus 10% as body shape varies. A chart is attached for further information of feeder depth and width measurements for different weights. Feeder Design Chart (full article)
Water Intake Chart
A chart of recommended flow rate and height of nipple drinkers for phase and weights of swine. Nipples should be set to shoulder height of the smallest pig in the pen. Follow these guidelines to decrease water wastage and save...
Injury Prevention is Loss Prevention: Applying Health and Safety Research Helps the Bottom Line
A big problem in pork production is injury to workers. Workers who are in pain often have lower productivity. By addressing workplace injuries, profitability can be improved. Loss of profit can come from sick leave, worker turnover, absenteeism and workers’...
How do you Decide Whether to Adopt New Technology?
Things to consider when deciding to purchase new technology include productivity impacts, implementation and maintenance costs, manager and worker preferences, animal handling and food safety regulations. Worker health and safety should be strongly considered as well. Health and safety evaluations...
Compounding Iron Dextran with NSAIDs at Processing
NSAIDs are often given at processing along with iron dextran and it is tempting to given them together to reduce the number of injections to the piglet. Mixing these products is not allowed under the Canadian Assurance program, though it...
Managing Sows in Groups from Weaning: Are There Advantages?
Stall housing has received lots of criticism for being so restrictive. It has been demonstrated that sows in groups can perform as well as those in stalls, so gestation stalls are being banned in many countries. An area that needs...
