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Prairie Swine Centre Launches New Website
Welcome to 2019. As the new year kicks off and we look forward to the excitement of what opportunities await - Prairie Swine Centre is excited to launch its new website and eNEWS letter. Centred on SwineNEWS will be delivered every month bringing the reader closer to those topics on the top of producers minds throughout the year. As well, the new website provides a new and improved look and improved function for the user, all while providing the same great information users are used to seeing at prairieswine.com If you have any questions or comments regarding the new website or eNEWS, please contact me at your convenience..
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Re-subscribe to Continue Receiving PSC Electronic Publications
If you would like to continue receiving, or be added, to our electronic mailing list and receive the latest information available from the Centre, please follow the link below. In order to ensure the most accurate distribution list possible we are asking all existing e-mail subscribers to confirm their interest in receiving electronic communication from Prairie Swine Centre.
Your e-mail address will not be shared with other organizations and will be used for the sole purpose of communicating Prairie Swine Centre publications. If you have any questions or comments please contact us at your convenience.
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Mitigating Barn Deterioiration
When we look across the Canadian pork industry it becomes apparent that due to the age of most facilities a large percentage will need to be replaced or renovated over the next few years – as most buildings average between 20-30 years old. The majority of production units are completely enclosed utilizing a negative pressure ventilation system to maintain pig comfort. In order to reduce heating costs during winter months ventilation is generally turned down to a minimum ventilation rate. The combination of minimum ventilation and, in some areas high winds, causes exhaust air to recirculate within the facility leading to poor air quality. This in turn increases deterioration due to increased exposure to moisture and corrosive gases. This project set out to determine Canadian specific strategies for decreasing barn deterioration.
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Understanding the Interaction between Nutrition and Pig Health
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Pigs are continuously exposed to microbial pathogens and immune-stimulatory antigens that negatively impact animal productivity. Pigs exposed to immune challenge, without exhibiting any clinical signs of disease, show reduced appetite and growth and less efficient use of nutrients compared to healthy animals. Previous studies have estimated a reduction in lean growth of 20-35% and feed efficiency of 10-20% in growing pigs at sub-clinical levels of disease (Williams et al., 1997; Le Floc’h et al., 2009). This decrease in performance can have a substantial impact on profitability of producers. Stimulation of the immune system alters protein and amino acid metabolism and utilization, with amino acids redirected from growth towards supporting the immune response. Of the amino acids, glutamine, arginine, threonine, and aromatic and sulfur amino acids are of particular importance as precursors for synthesis of many critical components of the immune response (Reeds and Jahoor, 2001). It is thought that provision of these amino acids may be important for improving pig response and growth performance during times of stress and disease challenge.
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Enrichment for Sows: Increases Positive Behavior
On Canadian farms, interest in enrichment has grown recently due to changes in the Code of Practice requirements, stating that ‘Pigs must be provided with multiple forms of enrichment… to improve the welfare of the animals through the enhancement of their physical and social environments.’ This change, along with increasing adoption of group housing for sows…
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Group Sow Housing Resources
Are you a producer looking for more information on making the transition to group sow housing? Prairie Swine Centre can help.We have a variety of publications and videos that will help you make the decision that best fits your operation. As always we are just a call away.
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Coming Events
Banff Pork Seminar - January 8-12, 2019 - Banff, Alberta
Manitoba Swine Seminar - February 7-8, 2019 - Winnipeg, Manitoba
Cramer Livestock Expo - February 21, 2019 - Swift Current, Saskatchewan
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