The DE Content of Hull-less Barley
In Western Canada, hull-less barley is important for grower-finisher pigs as it is a source of amino acids and energy. The nutritional value of hull-less barley DE content has been unclear in previous reports. The hull-less barley DE content was analyzed in relation to barley,...
Motivated for Movement – What is the cost of sow exercise?
Preliminary sow performance measures suggest exercising stall-housed gestating sows for 10 minutes, once per week has minimal effects on the productivity of younger sows, but may have a positive effect on older parity sows - increasing the number of live born and reducing stillborns. With...
by
Ken Engele
PSC Producer Meetings – Day 1
Feeding for Health – Can we Adjust Diets to Create a More Robust Pig?, Dan Columbus, Prairie Swine Centre Vaccines in Practice - Understanding and Optimizing Your Vaccines, Jessica Law, Prairie Swine Health Services https://youtu.be/NkkSaWKs4Tk ...
by
Ken Engele
PSC Producer Meetings – Day 2
The Role of Diet in GHG Output from Swine Facilities - Denise Beaulieu, University of Saskatchewan Breeding for Pig Robustness - Saskia Bloemhof-Abma, PIC How Does Transport Influence the Welfare and Productivity of Weaned Piglets? - Yolande Seddon, University of Saskatchewan https://youtu.be/AlsOYUBJl4Q ...
by
Ken Engele
Water Intake and Wastage from Nipple Drinkers
Among nutrients, water is required in the greatest amount but has received the least attention. Water intake of grower/finisher pigs has been reported to range from 1.9 to 6.8 l/d, depending on body weight and feed intake. However, most ‘water intake’ reported in the literature is water disappearance from drinkers,...
by
Ken Engele
Considerations for Large Group Housing of Finishing Pigs
Many questions have been asked about facility design and management of grower/finisher hogs in large groups. This document provides a practical evaluation of the raising of finisher hogs in large groups and encourages further evaluation of the appropriateness of this housing and management strategy for swine production. Finishing pigs...
by
Ken Engele
Research on Soybean Meal Offers Food for Thought
By Geoff Geddes, for Swine Innovation Porc Is boosting income or cutting costs the key to success? In pork production, it’s like choosing between food and water for survival: they’re both kind of important. Since the revenue side depends on market forces that are largely beyond your control, trimming expenses...
by
Ken Engele
Heart Health’s Potential Link to Early-life Nutrition
While researchers are well versed in the cardiovascular risks associated with a bad diet, a lack of exercise, and smoking, they’re still learning about another possible risk factor that could lead to poor cardiac health: what you consume in the first few weeks of your life. Dr. Daniel Columbus, an adjunct professor at the...
by
Ken Engele
Engineering Controls Reduce Hydrogen Sulphide Exposure in Swine Barns
Three engineering control measures were developed and tested for effectiveness in protecting swine barn workers from exposure to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas during manure handling events. A remote manure pit plug pulling system allowed the worker to pull the manure pit plug from outside the room. A water sprinkling apparatus...
by
Ken Engele
Pigs Consume more Water When Stressed
Two novel technologies consisting of an individual water consumption system (IWCS) and infrared thermography system (ITHS) were installed in a finishing room. The individual water consumption system (installed in each pen) was composed of a nipple drinker attached to a water flow meter, and an...
by
Ken Engele