Annual/Termination Reports:

[11/16/2006] [01/11/2008] [12/11/2008]

Report Information

Participants

Gary Apgar  Illinois,
Sam Baidoo  University of Minnesota (Guest),
Mike Brumm  Nebraska,
Lee Johnston  Minnesota,
Yuzhi Li  University of Minnesota (Guest),
Brian Richert  Indiana,
Dale Rozeboom  Michigan State,
Marcia Shannon  Missouri,
Ken Stalder  Iowa,
Bert Stromberg  Minnesota,
Stacey VanWeston  University of Minnesota (Guest)

Brief Summary of Minutes

The annual meeting of NCERA-89 was held at University of Minnesota, Southern Research and Outreach Center, Waseca, MN on October 18-20, 2006. Lee Johnston, University of Minnesota, coordinated the meeting.


The NCERA-89 committee took a tour of the research facilities available at the University of Minnesota Southern Research and Outreach Center in Waseca, MN.


Dr. Stalder called the NCERA-89 business meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. The agenda was reviewed.
" Approve agenda
" Approval of minutes from 2005 NCERA-89 meeting
" CSREES Report
" NCERA-89 Administrative Advisor Report
" Distribution and Discussion of Station Reports
" Election of 2007 NCERA-89 Committee Chairman and Secretary
" Plans for the 2007 NCERA-89 meeting site and date
" Discussion of On-going Research
" Brain storming on Future Projects
" Adjourn

Accomplishments

An update on the progress of current nursery projects started with evaluating the effects of maintaining pen integrity on growth performance and space requirements of pigs. Minnesota has 2 reps, Kansas, Iowa have 3 reps, and Nebraska has 2 reps were the participating stations. The project is complete and Goodband is currently writing the manuscript to be submitted to PAS.

Publications

Impact Statements

1. Maintaining pen integrity when moving pigs from nursery to finishing facilities has no beneficial effect on pig growth performance.
2. There is normal weight variation within a pen of pigs due to social hierarchy that cannot be improved with strategies for removal and remixing of heavy weight finishing pigs prior to slaughter in order to improve pig uniformity and optimization returns on pigs marketed. The committee concludes from this research that sorting is not effective in reducing body weight variation at slaughter; therefore, producers can eliminate costly, laborious sorting of pigs. Pig welfare is improved since animals are not unnecessarily mixed mid-way through the growing period.
3. Definition of optimal daytime and nocturnal ambient temperature settings for pigs in conventional nurseries from initial population to removal. This research will provide timely information to pork producers currently grappling with the high cost of heating fuels. By striking a delicate balance between the thermal comfort needs of the pig and the economic objectives of the farmer, we will be able to recommend nursery room temperatures that protect pig welfare while maintaining economic viability of the pork producer.
4. Research will add welfare criteria and physiology measures to performance data on space allocations for nursery and grow-finish pigs. Most previous experiments on space requirements of pigs did not consider welfare, behavioral, and physiological needs of the pig. In our research and future projects we will consider these important measures in determining the most appropriate space allocations for nursery and grow-finish pigs. Certainly the diversity of expertise on our committee uniquely positions us to fulfill these objectives.
5. Proper, well-organized management of personnel and pigs assures appropriate animal care and optimizes performance.
6. Nutritional management enables swine producers to better manage sow body condition and reproductive performance.
7. The cooperative research model allows for many more replications, in a variety of production facilities with a variety of genetics and health status. The variety and replications ensure that the results will be applicable across a broad cross-section of the U.S. Swine Industry.

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Report Information

Participants

Apgar, Gary-Illinois; Shannon, Marcia-Missouri; Richert, Brian-Indiana; Rozeboom, Dale-Michigan State; Jones, Don-Indiana; Stromberg,Bert-Minnesota (AA); Lindemann, Merlin-Kentucky; Goodband, Robert-Kansas; Moeller, Steve-Ohio

Brief Summary of Minutes

The annual meeting of the NCERA-89 was held at The Ohio State University, 212 Animal Science Building, 2029 Fyffe Court, Columbus OH on October 17-18, 2007. Steve Moeller, Ohio State, coordinated the meeting.
Dr. Shannon called the meeting to order at 1:05 pm. The agenda was reviewed. Approve agenda approval of minutes from 2006 NCERA-89 meeting CSREES Report NCERA-89 Administrative Advisor Report  Distribution and Discussion of Station Reports  Election of 2008 NCERA-89 Committee Chairman and Secretary  Plans for the 2007 MCERA-89 meeting site and date  Discussion of On-going Research Brain storming on Future Projects Adjourn

Accomplishments

The committee focuses on applied swine management issues related to animal welfare and performance that provides an unbiased evaluation of production practices. The committee reviewed the findings of a cooperative study of stepping down or up the feed intake in gestating sows on reproductive measures. Stepping the intake up or down during gestation prior to farrowing had no appreciable effect on reproductive measures.<br /> <br /> <br /> The committee reviewed a proposed study to define the performance impact of altering dietary components on a least-cost basis and a timed basis as compared with a typical corn soybean meal based dietary regime. This study will provide timely information to pork producers grappling with record high commodity feed prices, and who may be considering the addition of least-cost components into current rations.<br /> <br /> <br /> The committee discussed transported pig issues involving feed and water deprivation during the transport time. Pigs of all sizes are transported extensively throughout the country without access to feed and water. Data from earlier studies show that 50  70 kg pigs deprived of water had no lasting impact on pig performance; however, follow up studies need to be conducted to address transportation stress and water deprivation for weanling and slaughter pigs.<br /> <br /> Next year the committee will convene November 5-7 at the University of Kentucky. The meeting will be hosted by Dr. Merlin Lindemann.<br />

Publications

Impact Statements

1. Stepping the intake up or down during gestation prior to farrowing had no appreciable effect on reproductive measures.
2. Defining performance implications of altering dietary components on a least-cost basis on performance in growing-finishing pigs. This research will provide timely information to pork producers grappling with record high commodity feed prices, and may consider adding least-cost feeds in current rations.
3. Watering sows prior to feeding during lactation does not impact overall feed intake of sows.
4. Transported pigs are water and feed deprived. Research in 50 to 70 kg pigs show water deprivation to have no lasting effects on performance, however follow up studies should address transportation stress and water deprivation for weanling and slaughter pigs.

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Report Information

Participants

Brief Summary of Minutes

Accomplishments

The NCERA-89 committee currently has 5 projects underway. These projects range from educational efforts for pork producers through distance delivery methods to the generation of new knowledge from research projects focused on the management of sows, nursery pigs, and growing-finishing pigs. Research projects investigate the biological performance and welfare of pigs. In addition, economic evaluations are conducted in many research projects. <br /> <br /> Educational Programs for Pork Producers - Members of the NCERA-89 developed two similar programs targeted at distinctly different clientele. The PorkBridge and SowBridge programs deliver cutting edge information to registered participants once monthly throughout the year. PorkBridge is focused on producers or their employees with growing-finishing swine operations while SowBridge focuses on breeding operations. Participants receive a CD in the mail that contains a PowerPoint presentation and supplementary reference materials. At the appointed time, participants dial a toll-free phone number and listen to nationally-renown experts discuss the material on the CD. A time for questions and answers are provided at the end of the presentation. All sessions are recorded and archived for future use of participants. By the end of the annual program, participants have amassed a collection of 12 presentations on a variety of topics with supporting reference materials that are available for use on their own computers. PorkBridge is developed and presented by faculty in NE, MN, SD, OH, and IA. The SowBridge program is presented by faculty in MN, IA, NE, SD, OH, IN, IL, KS, MI, MO, and NC. <br /> <br /> Sow Feeding Management - The proper feeding management of sows is a topic of continual interest to pork producers. Producers want to get the most value for every dollar they spend on sow feed and they want to improve the welfare of their sows as well as efficiency of their operation. These objectives are consistent with society's demand for inexpensive food produced in a welfare-friendly manner. Committee members have completed two projects related to feeding management of breeding sows. One project investigated the pattern of feed offered to sows in the weeks immediately before farrowing. Committee members from MI, IA, and KS contributed data to this project. Findings of this project suggested that decreasing or increasing feed intake in a stepwise manner from day 75 of gestation to farrowing had no effect on mammary health of sows or piglet performance to weaning. These results suggest that elaborate plans to manipulate feed intake of sows in late gestation likely do not improve sow performance. A follow-up study is being conducted at Kansas State University (a member of this committee) to further evaluate this concept. A second study conducted by committee members (MN and KS) as two independent experiments evaluated feeding frequency during gestation on sow performance and welfare. In general, offering sows feed twice daily or 6 times per day did not seem to improve the behavior of sows compared with feeding only once daily. <br /> <br /> Reducing Fossil Fuel Consumption in Swine Nurseries - Fossil fuel use in pork production increases production costs and emissions of greenhouse gases. This project is focused on reducing fossil fuel consumption without compromising pig welfare or performance. The project was designed by the committee and conducted at 4 cooperating universities (MN, MO, NE, SD). Our findings indicate that reducing the nighttime temperature in nursery rooms by 10 °F did not compromise pig welfare or performance while achieving a 17% reduction in heating fuel consumption and a 9.5% reduction in electrical use. This project was funded in part by a grant ($7500) from the National Pork Board. <br /> <br /> Housing Management for Growing-Finishing Pigs - A hallmark of this committee has been our work on floor space requirements of growing pigs. This work continues with two projects. One project evaluates the "k" value for space requirements of growing-finishing pigs. The k value is an exponent developed by a consortium of researchers to determine the floor space allowance for pigs. This project is designed to provide a physical evaluation of the approach. The committee has developed a protocol and two stations (KS and OH) have conducted the experiment to date. The committee submitted a grant proposal to the National Pork Board in 2007 to support this research. Unfortunately, the grant proposal was not funded. Additional stations are evaluating their ability to participate in this study in light of the current lack of extramural funding. A second project evaluated the effects of mixing pigs or maintaining pen integrity as pigs are moved from nurseries to growing-finishing accommodations. Our results suggest that space restrictions during the growing-finishing period depress pig performance regardless of whether pigs were mixed or not upon entry to the building. <br /> <br /> Utilizing By-Product Feeds: Implications for Pig Performance - Current economic conditions force producers to use by-product feeds when they are deemed economically feasible. This project is designed to study the impact of frequent inclusion of by-products in diets for growing-finishing pigs on pig performance. One study conducted at a member university (MN) found that frequent cycling of DDGS into and out of diets had little influence on pig performance. A subsequent study is just beginning to study the influence of several different by-products on pig performance when they appear suddenly in diets for growing-finishing pigs. Currently, stations from IN, IL, MI, KS, and MN have committed to contribute data for this experiment. <br />

Publications

Publications of the NCERA-89 committee include the following: 1. Collections of PowerPoint presentations resulting from long-term educational programs provided via distance delivery mechanisms; 2. Refereed journal papers; 3. Scientific abstracts; 4. Articles in the popular press; and 5. University research reports.<br /> <br /> SowBridge. 2008-2009. Breeding Herd Education Series. Sponsored by Univ. of Minnesota, Iowa State Univ., Ohio State Univ., South Dakota State Univ., Univ. of Nebraska, Purdue Univ., Univ. of IL, Kansas State Univ., Michigan State Univ., Univ. of Missouri, and North Carolina State Univ.<br /> <br /> Rozeboom, D. W., R. D. Goodband, K. J. Stalder, and NCERA-89 Committee on Swine Management. 2008. Effects of decreasing or increasing sow feed intake prior to farrowing on lactation performance. Accepted for presentation at the 2009 Midwest Mtg. of Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. Des Moines, IA.<br /> <br /> Thaler, R. C., L. J. Johnston, M. C. Brumm, M. S. Carlson-Shannon, and NCERA-89 Committee on Swine Management. 2008. Effect of reduced nocturnal temperature for early-weaned pigs on performance and energy consumption. Accepted for presentation at the 2009 Midwest Mtg. of Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. Des Moines, IA.<br /> <br /> Thaler, R. C., 2008. Lowering Nursery Utility Costs. "Smart Thinking" feature in PORK Magazine. (In press).<br /> <br /> Carlson, M.S., C.L. Lorenzen, R. Disselhorst, and L. Wilson. 2008. A production barrow show that focuses on lean gain and pork quality at the Missouri State Fair. J. Anim. Sci. 86 (Suppl. 1):24.<br /> <br /> Carlson, M.S., S.D. Carter, J.M. DeRouchey, D.J. Meisinger, D.E. Reese, B.T. Richert, K.J. Stalder, H.H. Stein, E. van Heugten, and M.H. Whitney. 2008. Survey of swine nutrition and feed industry practices in the United States for development of a national swine nutrition guide. J. Anim. Sci. 86 (Suppl. 1):24.<br /> <br /> Hilbrands, A. M., L. J. Johnston, G. C. Shurson, and I. Kim. 2008. Influence of rapid introduction and removal of dietary corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) on pig performance and carcass characteristics. Accepted for presentation at the 2009 Midwest Mtg. of Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. Des Moines, IA.<br /> <br /> Kim, B. G., M. D. Lindemann, H. J. Monegue, and G. L. Cromwell. 2008. Influence of crowding stress of pigs during the nursery period on growth and subsequent reproductive performance. J. Anim. Sci. 86 (E. Suppl. 3):39. (Abstr.)<br /> <br /> SowBridge. 2007-2008. Breeding Herd Education Series. Sponsored by Univ. of Minnesota, Iowa State Univ., Ohio State Univ., South Dakota State Univ., and Univ. of Nebraska.<br /> <br /> PorkBridge. 2007-2008. Grow-Finish Educational Series. Sponsored by Univ. of Nebraska, South Dakota State Univ., Iowa State Univ., The Ohio State Univ., Univ. of Minnesota, and U.S. Pork Center of Excellence. <br /> <br /> Peng, J. J., S. A. Somes, and D. W. Rozeboom. 2007. Effect of system of feeding and watering on performance of lactating sows. J. Anim. Sci. 85:853-860.<br /> <br /> Schneider, J. D., M. D. Tokach, S. S. Dritz, R. D. Goodband, and J. L. Nelssen. 2007. The effects of feeding schedule on body condition, aggressiveness, and reproductive failure in group housed sows. J. Anim. Sci. 85(Suppl. 2):97. (Abstr.)<br /> <br /> Lindemann, M. D. and B. G. Kim. 2007. Technical note: A model to estimate individual feed intake of swine in group feeding. J. Anim. Sci. 85:972-975. <br /> <br /> Kim, B. G. and M. D. Lindemann. 2007. A spreadsheet method for experimental animal allotment. J. Anim. Sci. 85 (Suppl. 2):112. (Abstr.)<br /> <br /> PorkBridge. 2006-2007. Grow-Finish Educational Series. Sponsored by Univ. of Nebraska, South Dakota State Univ., Iowa State Univ., The Ohio State Univ., Univ. of Minnesota, and U.S. Pork Center of Excellence. <br /> <br /> Brumm, M. C., L. J. Johnston, D. W. Rozeboom, and NCR-89 Committee on Swine Management. 2006. Effect of removal and remixing of heavyweight pigs on performance to slaughter weights. Prof. Anim. Scientist 22:189-193.<br /> <br /> Holt, J. P., L. J. Johnston, S. K. Baidoo, and G. C. Shurson. 2006. Effects of a high-fiber diet and frequent feeding on behavior, reproductive performance, and nutrient digestibility in gestating sows. J. Anim. Sci. 84:946-955.<br /> <br /> Goodband, R., M. Brumm, L. Johnston, and K. Stalder. 2006. Effect of mixing pigs or maintaining pen integrity on the response to grow-finish space allocation. J. Anim. Sci. 84(Suppl. 1):292. (Abstr.)<br /> <br /> Goodband, R.D., M.C. Brumm, L.J. Johnston, and K. Stalder. 2006. Effect of mixing pigs or maintaining pen integrity on the response to grow-finish space allocation. Kansas Swine Industry Day Report of Progress 966. Pg. 158 - 164.<br />

Impact Statements

1. Educational programs for pork producers - The most important impact of these programs are that producers can hear state-of-the-art information without leaving their pork operation. Most sessions are offered over the noon hour when workers are typically on lunch break. The PorkBridge program has attracted 99 subscriptions from 13 states and one Canadian province. The SowBridge program has enjoyed 130 subscriptions from 16 states, 3 Canadian provinces, and Ireland. We cannot say with certainty how many people benefit from these programs because multiple people can and typically do attend sessions at each subscription site.
2. Sow Feeding Management - Results of this research conducted by committee members indicates that the more complex feeding management programs evaluated in our research do not improve sow performance or welfare. The practical significance of these findings are that producers can divert labor required for these more complicated feeding regimens to other duties related to sow care which will pay dividends in improved animal care. An abstract of results has been accepted for presentation at the 2009 Midwest Section meeting of the American Society of Animal Science.
3. Reducing Fossil Fuel Consumption in Swine Nurseries - In this time of high energy prices, pork producers have received the results of this research with great zeal. Our results translate to a savings of $1.55/nursery pig in heating fuel and $0.05/nursery pig in electrical savings ($1.60/pig). Our abstract of results has been accepted for presentation at the 2009 Midwest Section meeting of the American Society of Animal Science. In addition, we wrote a "Smart Thinking" column for the national magazine, PORK, which broadly disseminated our results. Our results provided the groundwork for a 2009 grant proposal to the Minnesota Pork Board to continue this work at 4 universities (MN, SD, MO, and IA). Initial discussions are ongoing with a large production system in the Upper Midwest to study the reduced nighttime temperature regimen in barns that house over 1,000 pigs from weaning to market weight.
4. Housing Management for Growing-Finishing Pigs - Our project to evaluate the k value will shed new light on the utility of this approach to determining space requirements of pigs. If the concept proves valid, pork producers will have greater flexibility in stocking pens and barns to allow optimal space utilization without compromising welfare of pigs. Our work on mixing pigs as it relates to space allowances suggests to producers that efficiency of space utilization in the finishing barn is not influenced by whether pen integrity is maintained or pigs are mixed as they are moved out of nurseries. Once again, this finding provides greater flexibility in managing pig flow for pork producers and reduces labor requirements. This approach to managing pig flow is the current norm in commercial pork production.
5. Utilizing By-Product Feeds: Implications for Pig Performance - Current economic conditions force producers to use reasonably priced feedstuff as they become available in the marketplace. Often, producers do not gradually introduce these alternative feedstuffs into the diet so that pigs can slowly adapt to them. But rather, alternative feedstuffs are introduced abruptly when economic conditions favor a particular feed ingredient. Therefore, pork producers will benefit greatly from knowing the impacts on feed intake and growth performance when dietary components are rapidly switched. Our early results suggest that this is not very important when feeding some by-products. However, there is need to study a wider range of ingredients which will be included in the current study.

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