Swine and Beef Producer Evaluation of Handling, Transportation, and Other Management Factors

Abstract

Questionnaires requesting producers to identify management changes were mailed or handed out to 370 swine and 2050 beef producers. The survey response rate was 71 (19%) and 410 (20%) swine and beef, respectively. Respondents evaluated the amount and importance of changes (codes; 0=no change, 1=little change, 2=moderate change, 3=large change, and 4=not sure or not applicable) made to their enterprises in the past 10 yr, and changes intended in the near future. The questions included facilities, nutrition, handling, transport, herd health, biosecurity, and other management factors. In addition, respondents were requested to indicate the effects of these practices on animal stress, causing or preventing injury or mortality, and improving management of the enterprise. The most important changes identified by swine producers in the past were nutrition, herd health, and quality assurance and in the near future, ventilation, herd health, and quality assurance. Beef producers identified breeding management, nutrition, and herd health as most important changes in the past and in the near future breeding management, quality assurance, and nutrition. Loading and trucking ranked low (9th, 7th) for swine and beef, respectively, which indicates producer satisfaction or a lack of information on transportation and the frequency of associated negative factors (dark cutters, porcine stress syndrome, bruising, shrink, death loss). Waste management also ranked low (swine 7th, beef 9th), which was unanticipated, especially when considering Pennsylvania’s new nutrient management laws. Over all, producers expressed concern with animal well-being and contemporary animal issues. This is indicated by past and intended future changes and the importance producers place on critical management factors.