SAES-422 Multistate Research Activity Accomplishments Report
Sections
Status: Approved
Basic Information
- Project No. and Title: NCERA_old219 : Swine Production Management to Enhance Animal Welfare
- Period Covered: 10/01/2015 to 09/30/2016
- Date of Report: 08/10/2017
- Annual Meeting Dates: 10/26/2016 to 10/28/2016
Participants
Benny Mote (Nebraska), Lee Johnston (Minnesota), Merlin Lindemann (Kentucky), Brian Richert (Purdue), Garth Ruff (Ohio State Grad Student), Steve Moeller (Ohio State), Bob Thaler (South Dakota State; Chair), and Dale Rozeboom (Michigan State; Secretary)
Minutes are provided in the attachment.
Accomplishments
Experimental repetitions of the two experiments which were part of the Floor space allowances for finishing pigs marketed at 138 kilograms study were completed at the University of Minnesota -West Central Research and Outreach Center, Michigan State University, Kansas State University, The Ohio State University, and the University of Missouri (completed experiment 1 only). At the 2016 committee meeting, the raw data from this study was presented and discussed. Experiment 1 had all 5 stations participate. It was noted that the cortisol analysis was pending. Missouri confirmed it would not be completing Experiment 2. The committee effectively worked to complete the Research Funding Agreement entered into with the Minnesota Pork Board, with distribution to participating stations through sub contractual agreements.
At the 2016 meeting we discussed new research project ideas and possible new grant proposals to be developed:
- Castration with meloxicam – Steve Moeller.
- Feeder space for heavy hogs; linear inches – Brian Richert.
- Are cup waters big enough for heavy hogs? – Brian Richert.
- Heavy (275-400 lbs.) meat quality – Brian Richert/Steve Moeller.
- Weaned pig transport – time factors, intervention strategies (water treatment of newly received pigs), energy substrate.
- Creep form – Steve Moeller.
- Creep of pigs weaned at 24 d of age – Brian Richert.
- Stall design for larger litters and larger sows; how do you use the existing space; put creep at the front; shoulder ulcers – Brian Richert.
- Creep space – Brian Richert. Lee Johnston mentioned that the Danish have done imaging work on creep area for older pigs at weaning; assessing pig size and litter size.
- Individual sow farrowing pens – Lee Johnston.
- Enrichment at farrowing – Brian Richert
Enrichment at farrowing was selected as an idea for further development. Compostamat was contacted and the committee learned that they have not used their mat for such a purpose to-date, but would be interested in learning more about our idea. Steve Moeller volunteered to take lead on writing a NPB grant proposal with this objective in November of 2016. Those present talked about having each station contribute a minimum of two reps, one in each season (warm and cold) and a minimum of eight total observations per treatment.
As in previous year, NCERA-219 participants continue to be involved in, and give leadership to, the SowBridge and PorkBridge, educational programs for farm owners, managers, and barn workers. These programs involve multiple live online educational presentations during which participating viewers can submit questions and comments. Presentations continue to reach producers from multiple US states, Canada and other countries.
Impacts
- This committee continues to provide a forum for interaction among faculty that specialize in swine production and management. This reporting was devoted to the conducting of experiments as part of the Floor space allowances for finishing pigs marketed at 138 kilograms study. Completion (summary, reporting, publication and presentation) are anticipated in the next reporting year. Through the touring of the new SDSU swine facilities and the John Morrel’s/Smithfield harvest plant committee members continued the process of acquiring new knowledge and skills that relate to our collaborative objective of research outreach focused on swine management issues related to animal welfare, production efficiency, and standards of production. In the new SDSU Swine facilities, attendees participated in discussion of the layout, mechanical features, environmental management approaches, and research capabilities provided for in the new 150-sow unit and four-room 1200-head wean-finish-barn. They learned that a significant collaboration among groups, agencies, private farms, individuals and government made possible the acquisition of $7.4 million to build the new facilities. Attendees agreed that SDSU will be able to conduct swine research for many years related to multiple-disciplines, including the studies designed and proposed by the NCERA-219 Committee. At the John Morrel’s/Smithfield harvest plant, attendees realized how our research focus on the management and well-being of heavy weight hogs did relate to the procurement portion of the pork production system.
Publications
There were no publications in this reporting period that were ‘direct’ result of NCERA-219 committee work.