Getting More Piglets Interested in Creep Feed
Many piglets do not eat before weaning, even though it helps ease the weaning dip if they do. Weaning is a stressful period for piglets; they are removed from the sow and put into an unfamiliar environment, mixed with unknown...
Research in Pigs Benefits Human Health
The pig is one of the most appropriate models for health science research as they have anatomical, developmental and physiological similarities to humans. The knowledge gained from this research will benefit both the human health sciences and the agricultural industry....
Feeding Fusarium Contaminated Grain
Fusarium has been reported throughout western Canada. The principle toxin DON (deoxynivalenol or vomatoxin) contaminates the grain and impacts the feeding of pigs that ingest it. Average daily gain and feed intake are suppressed when fed DON levels over 1...
Nutritional Management of Grow-Finish Pigs: Energy and Feed Efficiency
Feed efficiency depends on many feed composition factors such as amino acid concentration, energy, and nutrient balance. Environmental factors also have a large influence. Feeder space allowance impacts growth and feed intake, with more feeder space increasing final body weight...
Novel Biocontainment Concept for Quarantine Facilities
Often the quarantine facility is located within 100 m of the breeding facility. This increases contamination risk as some viruses and diseases can spread further, such as PRRS virus which can be transmitted over 9.2 km in the air. Filters...
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...
Minimizing and Managing Ingredients Variability
Variation in nutrient composition of ingredients in livestock feeds needs to be understood to continue with efficient pork production. Ingredients are inconsistent, but feed manufacturers are still expected to produce consistent diets. Buyers and sellers affect the cost and risk...
Evaluation of a Biotrickling Filtration System for Treatment of Exhaust Air from a Swine Barn
Biotrickling filters are easier to manage and are smaller in size compared to other exhaust air filtration technologies. To ensure the best design is developed, further work is needed to see what performs best in swine production facilities. An air...
A Revolution in Feed Management
Precision feeding technique technology is being developed for feeding pigs daily on an individual basis, maximizing their growth. Phase feeding programs feed based on targeted averages; with faster pigs often being underfeed and slow-growing pigs being overfed. When feeding individual...
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....
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...
The Overall Response of Piglets to Phase One Diets During the First Two Weeks in the Nursery is Not Affected by Creep Feeding or Weaning Weight
As litter size continues to increase, the number of small pigs also rises. It is crucial to ensure survival of these piglets or there are no benefits to larger litters. Immediately after post-weaning, many problems such as poor growth rate,...
