Focus on Feed Efficiency in Pork Production
Up to 70% of the variable cost of production can be attributed to feed. Having better feed efficiency can largely impact the feed cost per pig. Social, environmental, immunological and management scenarios should be considered when examining feed efficiency. The...
Can Omega-3 Fatty Acids Modulate the Immune Response of Pigs?
The most stressful time in a piglet’s life is weaning. The numerous amounts of stressors present contribute to the post-weaning growth lag which can lead to anorexia and immune reactions. Nutritional strategies may help improve performance when weaning, using techniques...
Ractopamine Hydrochloride and the Environmental Sustainability of Pork Production
Ammonia has odour and environmental implications so the excretion of nitrogen is problematic as this is the main form. Paylean® with ractopamine hydrochloride as its active ingredient improves average daily gain, carcass lean growth and feed efficiency when added to...
Ractopamine, at 5 or 10 mg/kg Increases Protein Deposition in the Carcass
Paylean® is used in the swine industry to increase growth rate, carcass lean deposition and feed efficiency. Its active ingredient is ractopamine hydrochloride. At 5 mg/kg, ractopamine improved carcass quality and growth performance. Paylean may also be able to reduce...
Feeding Co-Extruded Flaxseed to Pigs: Effects of Duration and Feeding Level on Growth Performance and Backfat Fatty Acid Composition of Grow-Finish Pigs
Feeding flaxseed to pigs has been used to increase omega-3 fatty acid levels in pork as flaxseed is the richest oilseed source of omega-3. Health benefits to the consumer may be noted such as reducing risk of disease. Feeding flax...
Impact of Piglet Birth Weight on the Eating Quality of Pork
The larger the litter size, the smaller the birth weight of the piglet is. Fewer total muscle fibres are noted in low birth weight piglets and at market weight they often have larger fibres which may affect the eating quality....
Starch Kinetics and Fibre Fermentation of Peas in Pigs
Genetic and environmental factors contribute to the variable DE and NE content of peas in pigs but chemical composition does not explain it. DE content and chemical composition were studied compared to the rate of fibre fermentation in the large...
The Efficacy of Eight Different Feed Additives on Mitigating the Effects of Deoxynivalenol (DON)
Fusarium moulds contaminating cereal and grains such as wheat and corn produce the trichothecene mycotoxin DON. Symptoms of ingestion include feed refusal, vomiting and can largely affect the financial viability of a commercial pig farm. Different feed additives can reduce...
Impact of Feeding Micro-Aid® to Sows on Litter Performance
Micro-Aid® is produced from a plant extract and is used to mediate emissions from animal manures. It is an all-natural product, but it may reduce intestinal ammonia production and alter microbial populations. Some reports state that it may increase the...
Digestible and Net Energy Content of Peas in Weaned Pigs, Growing Pigs and Gestating Sows
Since peas have high DE, NE and lysine content, they have become an essential feed ingredient in swine production. Weaned pigs, growing pigs and gestating sows may have different DE and NE values. Different peas grown in Western Canada vary...
Hulless Barley as Health-Promoters for Pig’s Gastrointestinal Tract
The consumer of pork products prefers that pork is devoid of antibiotics due to fear of bacteria resistant to antibiotics developing. Pig gut health needs to be good in order to get maximum use out of nutrients and prevent diarrhea...
Feeding Extruded Flaxseed to Produce Omega-3 Enriched Pork
Human health benefits have been noted from omega-3 fatty acids. Most meat has low amounts due to feed ingredients lacking omega-3 fatty acids. Flaxseed has alpha linolenic acid (ALA) and could be a source for omega-3 in pork. Three levels...
