Finisher Pigs Research Articles

The response of performance in grower and finisher pigs to diets formulated to different tryptophan to lysine ratios

Three experiments were conducted to determine the optimal dietary standardized ileal digestible (SID) Trp to Lys ratio (Trp:Lys) for grower-finisher pigs with body weight of 20–50 (Experiment (Exp.) 1), 50–80 (Exp. 2), and 80–110 kg (Exp. 3). A total of 4032 Duroc × Yorkshire × Landrace barrows and gilts were used in the experiments with a randomized complete blocked design. For each experiment, 1344 pigs were randomly assigned into 6 dietary treatments (SID Trp:Lys levels: 0.150, 0.165, 0.180, 0.195, 0.210, and 0.225) with 8 replicate pens per treatment (14 barrows and 14 gilts per pen). Synthetic Trp was used to adjust the dietary SID Trp:Lys, while the Lys content in all 6 diets remained fixed in each experiment. In Exp. 1, the average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), gain to feed ratio (G:F), and serum urea N (SUN) were increased quadratically (P < 0.01) as the SID Trp:Lys increased from 0.150 to 0.225. The optimal SID Trp:Lys for ADG estimated using broken-line and curvilinear-plateau models were 0.171 and 0.188, respectively. For G:F, the break-points were 0.192 and 0.207 for the linear and quadratic models, respectively. In Exp. 2, a quadratic increase was observed in ADG, ADFI, G:F, and SUN as the SID Trp:Lys increased from 0.150 to 0.225 (P < 0.05). The optimal SID Trp:Lys for ADG estimated using the broken-line and curvilinear-plateau models were 0.183 and 0.200, respectively. The break-points for G:F estimated using broken-line and curvilinear-plateau models were 0.195 and 0.213, respectively. In Exp. 3, the ADG, G:F, and SUN increased quadratically with increasing SID Trp:Lys, while ADFI increased linearly (P < 0.05). The optimal SID Trp:Lys for ADG estimated using the broken-line and curvilinear-plateau models were 0.184 and 0.201, respectively. Likewise for G:F, the best ratios were 0.174 and 0.198 for the linear and curvilinear models, respectively. In summary, the optimal Trp:Lys for ADG estimated using the broken-line model in pigs weighing 20 to 50, 50 to 80, and 80 to 110 kg were 0.171, 0.183, and 0.184, respectively. The optimal Trp:Lys for G:F estimated using the broken-line model in pigs weighing 20 to 50, 50 to 80, and 80 to 110 kg were 0.192, 0.195, and 0.174, respectively.

A register-based study on associations between vaccination, antimicrobial use and productivity in conventional Danish finisher pig herds during 2011 to 2014

Reduction of antimicrobial use (AMU) in pigs is a priority to counteract development of antimicrobial resistance in animal and human pathogens. However, there is concern that Danish pig producers complying with official AMU restrictions might experience reduced herd health and productivity in the future, if alternative strategies are not available. Vaccination has been suggested as a strategy to prevent disease and minimise the need for antimicrobial treatments. The aim of this register-based study was to assess the associations between data on vaccination, productivity and AMU in Danish finisher herds over a 4-year period following initiation of the Yellow Card, which is a restrictive AMU control scheme. For each of the years 2011 to 2014, sow herds were grouped according to purchase patterns regarding Porcine Circovirus Type 2 (PCV2) (use/no use). For the sow herds (N = 179–433), additional information of purchases of vaccines against Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (MYC), Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP), Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus (PRRS) and Lawsonia intracellularis (LAW) was included. By use of movement data, finisher herds receiving pigs from the sow herds were tracked and included in the analyses. Finisher herds (N = 40–62) with register data on productivity (i.e. average daily weight gain, feed conversion rate, mortality and lean meat percentage) and data on prescriptions of antimicrobials measured in Animal Daily Doses/100 finishers/day as well as the proportion of parenteral AMU treatments out of all treatments (AMU-ratio) were included. Univariable combinations were tested for statistically significant associations (P < 0.05) and included in multivariable linear mixed-effects model for each of the six outcome variables representing productivity (N=4) or AMU (N=2). Herd number was included as a random effect to account for the herds appearing more than once. The variables representing PCV2, enrolment in the Danish Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) system, year, herd type and herd size were included as potential confounders. Vaccination against PRRS and higher AMU for finishers were associated with increased lean meat percentage, potentially due to disease outbreaks resulting in reduced growth of the pigs and lower carcass weight at slaughter in herds with PRRS. None of the other types of vaccines was associated with any of the productivity outcomes. Vaccination against PCV2, PRRS and APP were associated with higher levels of AMU, and vaccination against LAW with a higher AMU-ratio. This may be explained as some farmers preferring to take action soon after observing disease problems. No association was found between vaccination against MYC and AMU. Herds enrolled in SPF had significantly higher average daily weight gain than non-SPF herds.

Tail Posture as an Indicator of Tail Biting in Undocked Finishing Pigs.

Simple SummaryTail biting is a large welfare problem in modern pig production, causing pain and reduced health and production. The identification of tail biting is important for minimising the risk of the escalation of the behaviour and its consequences. Tail posture (i.e., tail hanging or curled) has been suggested to depend on the presence of tail wounds and, therefore, has been suggested as an indicator of tail biting. This study investigated the relationship between tail position and tail damages at feeding, since that could be a feasible time for producers to detect tail posture. The experiment showed that 94% of the pigs had curly tails and that pigs with wounds were more likely to have hanging tails than pigs with nondamaged tails. By observing the tail position at feeding, we were able to identify pigs with tail wounds in 68% of cases simply by scoring pigs with hanging tails. To conclude, the scoring of pigs with hanging tails at feeding was found to be a useful tool for identifying tail damages, which may otherwise be difficult to detect by the caretaker.Tail posture (i.e., hanging or curled) has been suggested to be an indicator of tail biting, and hanging tails predisposed to damage. The aim of this study was to investigate if tail posture was feasible as a tail damage indicator in a commercial setting. The study was carried out on one batch of 459 undocked finishing pigs (30–120 kg in weight). Weekly scoring of tail posture was combined with the scoring of tail lesions. Tail posture was observed at feeding to facilitate the usage of the method in commercial settings. A curly tail was observed in 94% of the observations. Pigs with tails scored with “wound” were 4.15 (p < 0.0001) times more likely to have hanging tails, and pigs scored with “inflamed wounds” were 14.24 (p < 0.0001) times more likely to have hanging tails, compared to pigs with nondamaged tails. Tail posture correctly classified tails with “wound” or “inflamed wound” 67.5% of the time, with 55.2% sensitivity and 79.7% specificity, respectively. The method of observing the tail position at feeding seems useful as a complement to normal inspection for detecting tail biting before tail wounds are visible to the caretaker.

Effects of lycopene and tomato paste on oxidative stability and fatty acid composition of fresh belly meat in finishing pigs

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of dietary lycopene and tomato paste on plasma lipids, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations and fatty acid composition of fresh belly meats from finishing pigs. In addition, lycopene concentrations in fresh belly meat were measured. A total of 60, 18-week-old crossbred pigs (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc) were fed four dietary treatments for four weeks. The diets included a base diet of maize and soybean meal (control treatment) and the base diet mixed with lycopene (20 mg/kg of diet); or tomato paste (3.4 g/100 g diet); or both (10 mg/kg lycopene and 1.7 g tomato paste/100 g diet). Supplementing pigs with lycopene and/or tomato paste did not affect production traits, plasma lipids including total lipids, total cholesterol, high-density and low-density cholesterols, and triglycerides. The dietary lycopene or tomato paste resulted in significantly lower (p < .05) MDA concentrations in fresh pork bellies compared with the control group. Lycopene was not detected in fresh belly meat of pigs fed the control diet, but the lycopene concentration was significantly higher (p < .05) in lycopene- or tomato paste-fed pigs. The fatty acid composition of fresh belly meat was not affected by dietary treatment. We conclude that the dietary lycopene or tomato paste failed to affect growth performance and lipid parameters in late finishing pigs but resulted in lower MDA concentrations in fresh pork belly meats. It is likely that enhanced oxidative stability in pork belly meats is mediated via the incorporation of diet-origin lycopene in the analysed tissues.HighlightsDietary lycopene improves oxidative stability of fresh belly meats from pigs.Dietary lycopene is incorporated into fresh belly meats from pigs.

Tear staining in finisher pigs and its relation to age, growth, sex and potential pen level stressors

Tear staining (TS) in the pig has been related to different stressors and may be a useful tool for assessing animal welfare on farm. The aim of the current study was to investigate TS across the finisher period and its possible relation to age, growth, sex and experimentally induced stressors. The study included 80 finisher pens divided between three batches. Within each batch, the pens either included pigs with docked or undocked tails, had straw provided (150 g/pig/day) or not and had a low (1.21 m2/pig, 11 pigs) or high stocking density (0.73 m2/pig, 18 pigs). Tear staining (scores 1 to 4; from smaller to larger tear stain area, respectively) and tail damage were scored on each individual pig three times per week over the 9-week study period, and the individual maximum TS score within each week was chosen for further analysis. Data were analysed using logistic regression separately for each of the four possible TS score levels. The TS scores 1 and 2 decreased with weeks into the study period and were negatively related to the average daily gain (ADG) of the pigs, whereas the TS score 4 increased with weeks into the study period and was positively related to ADG. None of the TS scores differed between females and castrated males, and neither straw provision nor lowering the stocking density affected the TS scores. However, the TS score 1 decreased the last week before an event of tail damage (at least one pig in the pen with a bleeding tail wound), whereas the TS score 4 increased. The results of the current study advocates for a relation between TS and the factors such as age, growth and stress in the pig, while no relation was found between TS and the environmental factors straw provision and lowered stocking density. The relations to age and growth are important to take into consideration if using TS as a welfare assessment measure in the pig in the future.

Changes in activity and object manipulation before tail damage in finisher pigs as an early detector of tail biting

Tail damage within the production of finisher pigs is an animal welfare problem. Recent research suggests that removal of known risk factors may not be enough to eliminate tail biting, especially in undocked pigs, thus a different strategy is worth investigating. This could be early detection of tail biting, using behavioural changes observed before tail damage. If these early stages of tail biting can be detected before tail damage occurs, then tail damage could be prevented by early interventions. The first step in developing such a strategy is to identify the types of behaviour changes that emerge during early stages of tail biting. Thus, the aim of the current study was to investigate whether pen level activity and object manipulation evolved differently during the last 7 days before the scoring of tail damage (day 0) for pens scored with tail damage (tail damage pens) and pens not scored with tail damage (matched control pens). The study included video recordings for twenty-four tail damage pens and thirty-two matched control pens. Activity level and object manipulation were observed the last 7 days before day 0 during the morning (0600 to 0800 h), afternoon (1600 to 1800 h) and evening (2200 to 2400 h, only activity level). Both activity level and object manipulation were analysed using generalised linear mixed effects models with a binomial distribution for activity level and a negative binomial distribution for object manipulation. The probability of being active was higher in tail damage pens compared to control pens during the afternoon the last 5 days before day 0 (P<0.001). This was seen due to a decrease in activity level in the control pens, which makes it difficult to identify future tail damage pens from this difference. Object manipulation was lower in tail damage pens compared to the control pens on all 7 days before day 0, but only in pens with undocked pigs (P<0.01). Thus, it is still unknown when this difference in object manipulation initiated. It was concluded that both activity level and object manipulation seemed related to ongoing tail biting and should be investigated through more detailed observations and for a longer time to establish the normal behaviour pattern for a particular pen. Thus, it is suggested that future research focusses on developing automatic monitoring methods for pen level activity and object manipulation and applies algorithms that establish and detect deviations from the normal behaviour pattern of the pen before tail damage.

Effects of the plane of nutrition for grower pigs on their grow-finish performance and meat quality in winter.

Little is known about the effects of the plane of nutrition on growth performance and meat quality of grow-finish pigs under commercial production conditions. The present study was thus addressed to this virtually unanswered question. One hundred and two barrows and 102 gilts weighing approximately 24 kg were fed phase I and II grower diets with a high, medium, or low plane of nutrition (HP, MP, or LP) to approximately 43 and 70 kg, respectively, in 6 replicates (pens). Subsequently, the HP and MP groups were fed the HP and MP1 finisher diets, respectively, the LP group being fed a second MP (MP2) finisher diet (LP1 group). Moreover, 68 LP-grower-fed barrows and gilts were added to the feeding trial and fed the MP1 and LP finisher diets to approximately 95 kg and thereafter, respectively (LP2 group). All MP diets had the lysine:calorie ratios comparable to the RNC recommendations, with < 18% differences between those of the HP and LP diets. The finisher pigs were reared in 16 pens and slaughtered at approximately 115 kg. The gain:feed ratio, but not average daily gain (ADG), was greater for the HP group than for the MP and LP during the grower phase I whereas during the grower phase II, ADG was greater (p < 0.05) for the HP and LP groups vs. MP. During the finisher phase I, ADG was less for the LP (LP1 + LP2) group vs. HP and MP, with no difference between the HP and MP groups; the gain:feed ratio was less for the LP vs. MP group. Backfat thickness was greater for the LP vs. HP group. The water holding capacity of fresh longissimus dorsi muscle (LM) and the sensory juiciness score for cooked LM were greatest for the LP group, the sensory flavor and tenderness scores being greater for the LP group vs. MP. In conclusion, results suggest that compensatory growth occurred for the LP and MP groups during the grower phase II and finisher phase I, respectively, with fat deposition increased for the LP group and that meat quality could be improved by the use of LP.

Effect of Partial Replacement of Maize with Palm Oil Sludge on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility and Blood Profiles of Finishing Pigs

A feeding trial was carried out to elucidate the effect of replacing maize with palm oil sludge (POS) on the performance, blood profiles and nutrient digestibility of late finishing pigs. Twenty four crossbred (Large White Yorkshire × Hampshire) pigs were randomly grouped into 4 treatments with six animals per treatment in a completely randomized design. POS was incorporated in the experimental diets at 0 (Group-1, control), 10 (Group-2), 20 (Group-3) and 30% (Group-4) to replace maize as energy source. During this period (84 days), body weight gain, feed intake, average daily gain and feed conversion efficiency were non-significant (P>0.05) among the different treatment groups. The results on hematological parameters like Hb, WBC, RBC, PCV, MCV, MCH, MCHC, lymphocyte and monocyte were similar (P>0.05) in all the experimental groups. The biochemical parameters (SGPT, SGOT, ALP, creatinine, urea, glucose, total protein, triglyceride, cholesterol, HDL, LDL, Ca and P were similar (P>0.05) in all the different treatment groups. The digestibility of DM, OM, CP and NFE revealed linear difference (P 0.05). The feed cost per kg gain was linearly decreased (P<0.01) in Group-4 as compared to the control. It may be concluded that replacement of maize up to 30% with POS in the concentrate diet of finishing pigs had no effect on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility and haemato-biochemical parameters. Economically, replacing maize with POS was cost effective and can be an alternative for costly feed ingredients in pig production.

Beneficial Effects of Non-Conventional Feedstuffs on Carcass Characteristics And Ileal Mucosal Morphology of Finisher Pigs

This study investigated differences in carcass characteristics and ileal mucosal morphology in pigs offered 4 isocaloric grower-finisher diets formulated using non-conventional feedstuffs from 99-180 days of age upon which barrows were slaughtered. The diets consisted of a basal maize-soybean meal diet, a 20% cold-pressed canola meal diet, 20% rice polishing diet and 20% rice bran diet. The 20% rice polishing diet resulted in a higher (p≤0.05) average daily gain compared to pigs on the basal diet. Rice polishing diet resulted in an increase in killing-out percent, 24.5% increase in loin eye area which implied better lean tissue deposition and a 19.3% decrease in villous height, and noted increases were significantly different (p ≤ 0.05). The 20% rice bran diet resulted in a higher (p≤0.05) average daily gain compared to pigs on the basal diet and larger loin eye size (p ≤ 0.05) implying better lean tissue deposition. Ileal villi were significantly longer (p ≤ 0.05) in in pigs fed rice bran diet and was attributed to higher dietary fibre. The 20% Canola meal diet increased (p ≤ 0.05) back-fat thickness and an increase (p ≤ 0.05) in ileal crypt depth. The study concludes that high NDF rice bran has reduces backfat and increases gut surface area thereby improving utilisation of dietary fibre. Low protein non-conventional feedstuff in finisher pigs had beneficial effects on ileal epithilia. Further studies on the role of dietary lipids and glycosinolates commonly present in Canola meal on changes in intestinal epithelial morphology should be done.

PSIX-15 A pilot study to investigate the relationship between social behavior and serum metabolite concentration in finisher pigs.

PSIX-15 A pilot study to investigate the relationship between social behavior and serum metabolite concentration in finisher pigs.

Effect of flaxseed oil, animal fat, and vitamin E supplementation on growth performance, serum metabolites, and carcass characteristics of finisher pigs, and physical characteristics of pork

Dietary lipid supplementation can reduce de novo lipogenesis and increase intramuscular fat content of pork simultaneously, and vitamin E supplementation can increase the oxidative stability of pork. A total of 96 pigs (Yorkshire) were used to investigate the effect of dietary lipid (0 or 1% flaxseed oil + 1, 3, or 5% poultry fat for diets supplemented with lipids) and vitamin E (11 or 220 IU/kg) supplementation in a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments on growth performance, serum metabolites, and carcass traits of finisher pigs, and physical characteristics of pork. Forty-eight pens containing 2 gilts or 2 castrated males per pen were randomly assigned to 8 diets with 3 gilt pens and 3 castrated male pens per treatment. Pigs were switched from finisher-1 [initial body weight (BW): 54.3 ± 3.4 kg] to finisher-2 diets when the average pen BW reached 84.1 ± 4.0 kg. Standardized ileal digestible Lys and Ca and P were adjusted with the DE content accordingly to maintain constant Lys, Ca, and P to DE ratios. Pigs were harvested when they reached the target BW of 110.0 ± 3.0 kg. There were no lipid x vitamin E interactions in growth performance. As dietary lipids increased from 0 to 6%, average daily feed intake decreased linearly (P < 0.018) and gain to feed ratio improved linearly (P < 0.001) during the finisher-1, finisher-2, and overall phases. Supplementation with 220 IU vitamin E/kg reduced the efficiency of feed, Lys, and DE utilization for BW gain (P < 0.036) during the finisher-1 and overall phases. As dietary lipids increased, serum cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations increased linearly (P < 0.003). Supplementation of the diet with 1% flaxseed oil + 1, 3, or 5% poultry fat resulted in greater serum total protein, albumin, cholesterol, and triglyceride concentrations (P < 0.037) compared with no lipid supplementation. Pigs fed the diets containing 0, 2, and 4% lipids and supplemented with 220 IU vitamin E/kg had greater 10th rib BF and lower fat-free lean than those fed the dies contained 11 IU vitamin E/kg, whereas 10th rib BF was lower and fat-free lean was greater in pigs those fed the diet containing 6% lipids and supplemented with 200 IU vitamin E/kg than those fed the diet contained 11 IU vitamin E/kg (lipid x vitamin E, P < 0.020). Dietary lipids had no effect on subjective marbling score and ether extract content of loin muscle or most other pork and loin muscle characteristics, but belly thickness and width increased (linear, P < 0.040) as dietary lipids increased. Vitamin E supplementation increased marbling score (P = 0.042), but it had no clear effect on loin muscle color (subjective, and L*, a*, and b*), ham and loin muscle pH, loin muscle characteristics, or belly firmness. As expected, feed intake decreased and feed efficiency improved progressively with increasing dietary lipid supplementation from 0 to 6%. Although there were interactions, dietary lipids seemed to have no clear effects on the carcass BF or fat-free lean. Similarly, dietary supplementation with 1% flaxseed oil + 1, 3, or 5% poultry fat had no effect on subjective marbling score or ether extract content of loin muscle. Supplementation with 220 IU vitamin E/kg increased carcass leanness with 6% dietary lipids, but increased carcass BF with 0 to 4% dietary lipids. Vitamin E supplementation increased subjective marbling score, but seemed to have no clear effects on loin muscle color, ham and loin muscle pH, loin muscle characteristics, or pork belly firmness.

The effect of pen environment on pen-mate directed behaviour prior to feeding in finisher pigs with intact tails

Tail biting is one of the largest problems in intensive pig production among finishers. Currently, tail docking is performed to minimize tail biting, such as bleeding, sores, infection and amputation, however, due to legislation and consumer demand, there is a need for finding other alternatives. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of pen environment on the prevalence of pen-mate directed behaviour prior to feeding in finishers with intact tails. Pigs were assigned to one of two pens. Compared to PEN1, PEN2 housed fewer pigs, had a higher space allowance per pig and a larger area of solid floor than PEN1, whereas the space per pig at the feeding trough was the same. Straw was provided in a straw rack in PEN1 and on the floor in PEN2. Recorded behaviour (tail directed, ear directed, aggression, feeding, belly nosing and other nosing behaviour) was observed continuously 30 min prior to the last feeding of the day by the use of video recordings in three focal pigs in a total of 30 pens. The hypothesis was that PEN2 would generate a lower prevalence of pen-mate directed behaviour compared to PEN1. However, there was a similar prevalence of tail directed, ear directed and other nosing behaviour between pens and a tendency of a higher prevalence in counts of aggression and belly nosing in PEN2, thus rejecting the hypothesis. Furthermore, there was a difference in feeding behaviour with a higher prevalence in PEN1 (P ≤ 0.01).

Spatial modeling of pigs’ drinking patterns as an alarm reducing method I. Developing a multivariate dynamic linear model

The overall objective of this paper is to present the development of a spatial multivariate dynamic linear model (DLM) modeling the water consumption of growing pigs throughout the entire growth periods. The water consumption from multiple pens in multiple sections are monitored simultaneously by flow meters in both a commercial herd of finisher pigs (30–110 kg) and a research facility herd of weaner pigs (7–30 kg). The diurnal drinking patterns are modeled by a multivariate DLM, which is superpositioned by four sub-models describing three harmonic waves and a growth trend. The overall hypothesis of this paper is that pens and sections in a herd of growing pigs are correlated, and that this correlation can be modeled using model parameters defined at different spatial levels. Therefore seven model versions are defined to reflect a variety of temporal correlation structures between the monitored drinking patterns. The model versions were trained on learning data of the two herds, and run on separate test data sets from the herds. Their ability to fit the test data is measured as mean square error (MSE). Results for the finisher herd indicate that drinking patterns from pens within the same section are correlated (MSE = 13.850). For the weaner herd, results indicate an inverse relation between the degree of correlation and the model fit. Thus, the best fit (MSE = 1.446) is found for the model version expressing least correlation in data from pens across the herd.

Finnish cattle and pig farmers’ perceptions of animal welfare inspections

AbstractThe aim of this study was to broaden the understanding of Finnish cattle and pig farmers’ perceptions of the on-site animal welfare inspections carried out by official authorities in livestock farms. The study was conducted using an electronic questionnaire, aimed at 500 Finnish cattle and 500 pig farmers. Responses were received from 96 cattle farmers and 105 pig farmers, of which 20 and 55, respectively, had undergone an animal welfare inspection. It was found that most of the farmers recognised the need for animal welfare inspections, but also that a more negative attitude was prevalent among farmers who had undergone these inspections. The inspection itself was a far more negative experience if the farmer had not understood the reason for the inspection, no opportunity existed to be heard, or the findings of the report were found to be unclear. The results suggest that although the farmers generally approve of inspections, their own negative experiences affect their perceptions. Moving forward, efforts should be made by inspectors to enhance the level of communication, thereby ensuring the findings of the report are clear to the farmer.

Spatial modeling of pigs’ drinking patterns as an alarm reducing method II. Application of a multivariate dynamic linear model

The objectives of this paper are to evaluate the detection performance of a previously developed multivariate spatial dynamic linear model (DLM), which aim to predict outbreaks of either diarrhea or pen fouling amongst growing pigs, and to discuss potential post processing strategies for reducing alarms. The model is applied to sensor based water data from a commercial herd of finisher pigs (30–110 kg) and a research facility herd of weaner pigs (7–30 kg). Performance evaluation is conducted by applying a standardized two-sided Cusum, on the forecast errors generated by the spatial model. For each herd, forecast errors are generated at three spatial levels: Pen level, section level, and herd level. Seven model versions express different temporal correlations in the drinking patterns between pens and sections in a herd, and the performances of each spatial level are evaluated for every model version. The alarms generated by the Cusum are categorized as true positive (TP), false positive (FP), true negative (TN), or false negative (FN) based on time windows of three different lengths. In total, 126 combinations of herds, spatial levels, model versions, and time windows are evaluated, and the performance of each combination is reported as the area under the ROC curve (AUC). The highest performances are obtained at herd level given the longest time window and strongest temporal correlation (AUC = 0.98 (weaners) and 0.94 (finishers)). However, the settings most suitable for implementation in commercial herds, are obtained at section level given the medium-length time window and strongest temporal correlation (AUC = 0.86 (weaners) and 0.87 (finishers)). The combination of a spatial DLM and a two-sided tabular Cusum has high potential for prioritizing high-risk alarms as well as for merging alarms from multiple pens within the same section into a reduced number of alarms communicated to the caretaker. Thus, the spatial detection system described here, and in a previous paper, constitute a new and promising approach to sensor based monitoring tools in livestock production.

A Serological Survey on Swine Brucellosis Using Standard Procedures, Dot Blot, and Western Blot in Finisher Pigs in Central-North Italy.

In recent years, Brucella suis has been sporadically reported in Italy in domestic and wild swine. Since standard serological tests can determine false positive results, the development of alternative tests with improved sensitivity and specificity is rather essential. We analyzed 1212 sera collected at slaughterhouse from healthy pigs belonging to 62 farms of North-Central Italy. Sera were tested by Rose Bengal Test, Complement Fixation Test, and subsequently by a Dot Blot (DB) and Western Blot assays (WB). Only one serum resulted positive to all tests, indicating that swine brucellosis has a very limited spread. DB and WB could represent a support to the available serological tests; however, further studies to validate these tests are needed. In the presence of reemerging diseases, a prompt and continuous monitoring design is necessary to acquire epidemiological information for the subsequent application of specific health emergency plans.

Biochemical Changes and Biological Origin of Key Odor Compound Generations in Pig Slurry during Indoor Storage Periods: A Pyrosequencing Approach.

Production of odors is a complex process. Many bacterial species are involved in the production of an extensive array of key odor compounds in stored pig slurry. Understanding of basic microbial communities and their role during storage periods is an essential way to control and prevent the odors generations. In this aspect, the pig slurry samples were taken directly from deep pits of finisher pig building every two weeks, their biochemical changes were analysed, and the indigenous bacterial communities that involve in offensive odor producing compounds were identified. The SCFA, BCFA, phenols, and indoles levels altered drastically in the slurry during storage periods. The COD, BOD, SS, P2O5, TKN, and NH4-N were increased in the stored slurry. Bacterial ecology indicates Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes phyla were dominantly found in pig slurry. Odorants produced in pig slurry were correlated with bacterial communities. Phenols, indoles, SCFA, and BCFA productions were positively correlated with bacteria species which comes under phyla of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. It seems that bacterial species under Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes phyla play an important role in the offensive odor compounds production. Taken together, the prevention of these phyla bacterial growth and early discharge of pig slurry might reduce the offensive odor production.

Influence of low-protein diets and protease and bromelain supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood urine nitrogen, creatinine, and faecal noxious gas in growing–finishing pigs

A total of 180 crossbred pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] with an average body weight of 22.61 ± 1.23 kg were used in an 18 wk study to determine the effect of protease and bromelain in low-protein diets in grower–finisher pigs. Dietary treatments included: T1, basal diet treatment; T2, low-protein treatment; T3 (T2 + 0.2 g kg−1protease); and T4 (T2 + 0.3 g kg−1bromelain). Pigs fed protease- and bromelain-supplemented diets increased average daily gain and gain to feed ratio at week 18, dry matter and nitrogen digestibility at week 6, as well as energy digestibility at week 12, compared with low-protein diet (P &lt; 0.05). Pigs fed T3 and T4 diets led to a trend of decreased (P &lt; 0.05) blood urine nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine concentrations at the 12th wk. A reduction of ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) emission was observed in pigs fed the dietary protease and bromelain supplementation at the 6th wk (P &lt; 0.05). There was no effect on all parameters between the protease and bromelain supplementation treatments. In conclusion, supplementation of protease and bromelain to low-protein diet enhanced growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and reduced NH3and H2S in growing–finishing pigs.

Determination of reference intervals for fluid analysis and cytologic evaluation variables in synovial fluid samples obtained from carpal and tarsal joints in commercial nonlame growing swine.

OBJECTIVE To determine reference intervals for total nucleated cell count, total protein concentration, pH, RBC count, and percentages of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and large mononuclear cells in synovial fluid samples (SFSs) obtained from the carpal and tarsal joints of healthy swine. ANIMALS 54 healthy commercial finisher pigs that had no evidence of lameness or gross joint swelling. PROCEDURES Each pig was anesthetized, and SFSs were collected from 1 carpal and 1 tarsal joint for fluid analysis, cytologic evaluation, bacterial culture, and PCR analyses for common swine joint pathogens. Each pig was euthanized after SFS collection, and synovial tissue samples were collected for histologic assessment. If necessary, postmortem SFSs were collected. RESULTS Overall, 37 of 50 tarsal and 46 of 53 carpal SFSs met inclusion criteria of sufficient volume, no gross blood contamination, and negative results of bacterial culture and PCR analyses, and were from joints with histologically normal synovial tissues. For the carpal and tarsal joints, upper reference limits were as follows: total nucleated cell count, 3,281 cells/μL and 2,368 cells/μL, respectively; total protein concentration, 3.6 g/dL and 3.6 g/dL, respectively; pH, 7.2 and 7.0, respectively; RBC count, 0.8 × 106 cells/μL and 0.1 × 106 cells/μL, respectively; and percentage of neutrophils, 46.5% and 33.7%, respectively; percentage of lymphocytes, 40.6% and 56.3%, respectively; and percentage of large mononuclear cells, 92.0% and 95.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results have provided reference intervals for selected variables in SFSs obtained from the carpal and the tarsal joints of healthy swine, which should be useful in diagnostic investigations of swine lameness and arthritis.

Prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus among large commercial pig herds in South Africa.

The prevalence of nasal carrier status of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in pigs has been described elsewhere, but is unknown in South Africa. To address concerns that exist regarding the zoonotic risk that carriers pose to workers, the herd-level prevalence of MRSA was determined among 25 large (> 500 sows) commercial pig herds in South Africa, representing 45% of the large commercial herds in the country. From each herd, the nasal contents of 18 finisher pigs were sampled at the abattoir, pooled into three and selectively cultured to determine the presence of MRSA. A herd was classified as MRSA-positive if one or more of the three pooled samples cultured positive. Three of the 25 herds tested positive for MRSA, equating to a 12% herd prevalence (95% CI: 7% – 23%) among South African commercial piggeries. The prevalence of nasal MRSA carriers among large commercial pig herds in South Africa was low compared to what has been reported elsewhere and suggests a relatively low zoonotic MRSA risk to workers in South African commercial piggeries and abattoirs.