Handling Stress During Marketing of Pigs from Large Groups
Pigs from conventional small groups are less socially tolerant compared to pigs from larger groups and fight more when in re-grouping scenarios such as marketing. Pigs from large groups are easier to load and handle as well. Fewer deaths have...
Comparison of Management Factors Affecting Aggression in Group Housed Sows
When groups are formed in group housing of sows during gestation, some degree of aggression is present. This may affect farrowing weight and increases number of scratches, even though the aggression is usually short lived. Sows that were re-grouped within...
Use of Nanoparticles to Control Gaseous Emissions from Swine Manure Slurry
Nanoparticles have unique properties due to nanoscale dimension and are highly reactive powder materials. Nanotechnology may allow odour and gas emission control from swine operations. Impact on ammonia, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide and gas mixture from swine slurry by commercially...
Benchmarking Energy Costs in Swine Barns
Energy intensive tasks are involved in swine production. As prices for energy increase along with greenhouse gas concerns, reducing energy use is crucial to reduce cost. Benchmark information was gathered to conduct energy audits documenting energy use in order to...
Application of a Biological Treatment Approach to Control Gaseous Emissions from Swine Operations
High levels of gases including hydrogen sulphide may be exposed to swine barn workers during in-barn manure handling tasks which may be dangerous to their health. Oilfields developed a biological treatment that may be able to adapt to the swine...
Does the Energy of Peas Depend on Their Composition
Composition varies largely throughout pea samples in the Prairies. This variation may affect the energy value of the peas and therefore the energy supplied to the pigs. Protein and starch content had a wide variation while the energy variation was...
Impact of Piglet Birth Weight on Growout Performance and Carcass Quality
Reduced birth weight has consequences including changes in proportions of primary and secondary muscle fibres. This may effect adult muscle composition and eating quality of the meat. Reduced birth weight is related to increased litter size. By increasing the litter...
Effect of Ractopamine in Finishing Diets: Economics
The beta-adrenergic agonist known to stimulate muscle growth and inhibit fat deposition known as ractopamine is the active ingredient in Paylean®, which was recently registered in Canada. The relative economics of this product will impact the final decision to use...
Effect of Ractopamine in Finishing Diets: Meat Quality
Ractopamine is the active ingredient in Paylean® and is known to stimulate muscle growth and inhibit lipid deposition. The impact on the eating quality of pork are unclear and few studies include taste evaluation. It is crucial to have the...
Effect of Ractopamine in Finishing Diets: Performance and Carcass Composition
The active ingredient of Paylean® is ractopamine known to stimulate muscle growth and inhibit lipid deposition. It has recently been registered in Canada and is used to increase the profitability of pork production. Paylean was evaluated to see its effects...
Productivity of Sows and Gilts in Various Management Programs with ESF
Numerous consumer groups are advocating for group housing for sows due to the restriction of movement in gestation stalls. Ensuring appropriate feed levels and minimizing aggression can be challenging in group housing. Electronic sow feeders are an option for group...
Large Group Auto-Sort: Potential and Problems
Large Group Auto Sort (LGAS) applies electronic technology to manage grow-finish pigs and is relatively new. It can be cost effective to assemble many animals into a pen by using similar weights derived from electronic sorting scales and sorting gates....
