SAES-422 Multistate Research Activity Accomplishments Report
Sections
Status: Approved
Basic Information
- Project No. and Title: NCERA89 : Swine Production Management to Enhance Animal Welfare
- Period Covered: 10/01/2005 to 09/01/2006
- Date of Report: 11/16/2006
- Annual Meeting Dates: 10/18/2006 to 10/20/2006
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)
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
[Minutes]
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.
Impacts
- Maintaining pen integrity when moving pigs from nursery to finishing facilities has no beneficial effect on pig growth performance.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Proper, well-organized management of personnel and pigs assures appropriate animal care and optimizes performance.
- Nutritional management enables swine producers to better manage sow body condition and reproductive performance.
- 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.