Economic Costs of PEDv
Strict biosecurity protocols are needed to limit the spread of PEDv. PEDv has a large impact on reproduction by reducing farrowing rates, amount of piglets born alive and mortality rates. Grower-Finisher pigs also have performance losses. It can take up to 10 weeks for baseline...
Force Plates Assessment
Up to 25% of culling reasons for gilts involve lameness. It is one of the most important welfare issues. More objective quantitative methods are needed to assess lameness in pigs. Force plates analyze weight distribution on limbs in cows and may be useful in sows...
Behaviour of Pigs in Large Group Auto-Sort
A concern for having larger groups of pigs together is a possible rise in aggressive behaviours, however previous research shows the aggression levels are similar in small and large groups. Eating behaviour may change, especially as new technology such as large group auto-sort (LGAS) systems...
Free Space Utilization of Sows in Free Access Stalls
Group housing systems can produce more active and social sows, leading to a healthier pigs. It will increase muscle strength and decrease lameness with stronger bones from the ability to move around. An example of a group housing system is free access stalls. The degree...
A Comprehensive Approach to Animal Welfare Science
Animal welfare is found in all levels of swine production, from society and consumers to producers and industry. Approaches to animal welfare include the functional approach, where productive and healthy animals have good welfare. Another approach involves affective states, focusing on how the animals feel,...
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...
Effectiveness of Sprinkling During Transport
Sprinkling pigs on-farm, before transport and unloading at the packing plant improve meat quality and pig comfort when it is over 20°C outside. There are no current guidelines on when to sprinkle pigs in hot temperatures. If temperatures are above 30°C, pigs can no longer...
Early Detection and Interventions for Reducing Lameness in Gestating Sows
The second most common cause of culling is sow lameness, after reproductive failure. Hoof problems are related to good conformation and genetics, but also fully slatted concrete systems. Horn growth increases due to higher pressure exerted from the concrete floor. Claw overgrowth and heel erosion...
Using ‘Translactational Analgesia’ to Reduce Piglet Pain at Castration
Increasing concern from the public is found regarding painful livestock procedures such as castration. Pain medication is not commonly used in piglet castration. Affordable and practical methods for pain medication delivery are needed to increase the acceptance by producers. In cattle, analgesics can be transferred...