Finisher Pigs Research Articles

Nutritional approaches to slow late finishing pig growth.

Nutritional approaches to slow late finishing pig growth.

Review: Effects of Dietary Fiber Levels and Composition on the Intestinal Health of Finishing Pigs

Despite the fact that dietary fiber is predominant in common feedstuff, its level in the diets of monogastrics has seen a proportional increment with the inclusion of co-products. The source and composition of DF could be liable for enormous varieties in their use. A study carried out by scientists proposed that three major components constitute gut health: the diet, the mucosa, and the commensal microbiota. 70% of total body immune cells constitute the gastrointestinal tract of pigs, therefore it is important that it is included when defining intestinal health. Gut health is of substantial importance in the maintenance of growth performance and overall health of monogastrics. The fermentation of DF results in SCFA which enhances mucosal epithelial proliferation and villus height. Nonetheless, supplementing dietary fiber to the diet in moderation may result in an increase in gut size, volume, length and morphological structure of pigs and other non-ruminants. Gut health maintenance exhibits a certain level of complexity and a subtle balance between mucosa, diet, the commensal microflora, including the digestive epithelium and along with mucous overlaying it. The microbial changes of dietary fiber to monosaccharides in the gut include various principal occasions (reactions) intervened by the enzymatic collection of particularized groups from the gut microbiota. Because fermentation is dependent upon source, structure and physio-chemical properties of dietary fiber, it is therefore of great importance to have as much data as possible on various types of dietary fiber and how intestinal health can be enhanced by them. Thus, there is growing evidence that dietary fiber may have prebiotic effects in pigs. In addition, dietary fiber in diets improves pigs well-being by increasing satiety, influencing behaviour and improving overall health. This review aims to shed more light on the dietary fiber levels and composition on the intestinal health of finishing pigs.

Shortening the immunocastration-to-slaughter interval from 3 to 2 weeks reduced carcass backfat and weight, increased sexual behaviour and carcass skin blemishes in group-housed male pigs sold at fixed age

Context Pig producers require strategies to temporarily slow growth rate, particularly when markets impose penalties on over-weight and fat carcasses. Immunocastrated pigs usually have higher feed intakes (e.g. during the 3–5-week immunocastration-to-slaughter interval, which is commonly used in Australian pig industry), resulting in higher carcass weight and backfat thickness. Shortening the immunocastration-to-slaughter interval by delaying the second vaccination by a week may be a fine-tuned strategy to reduce carcass backfat and weight of male pigs. However, postponing the age receiving immunocastration as a method to achieve a shorter immunocastration-to-slaughter interval may increase aggressive and sexual behaviours of pigs. Aims The experiment aimed to quantify the effects of shortening the interval between the second dose of immunocastration and slaughter from 3 weeks to 2 weeks on growth performance, carcass traits, aggressive and sexual behaviours, and carcass skin blemishes in group-housed male finisher pigs slaughtered at a fixed age. Methods Pigs (n = 58 pens; 45 pigs per pen) were selected into the experiment at 16 weeks of age. Half of the pens received the second anti-GnRH vaccine (V2) as a means of immunocastration at 19 weeks (a common immunocastration age used in Australian pig industry; control group), and the remaining half of the pens received V2 at 20 weeks of age. All the pigs were slaughtered at 22 weeks of age. Growth performance was recorded between 16 and 22 weeks of age. Behavioural observation was conducted at 20 and 21 weeks of age. Carcass weight, backfat thickness and severity of skin blemishes on carcasses were recorded in the abattoir. Key results Results showed that shortening the immunocastration-to-slaughter interval from 3 to 2 weeks reduced average daily feed intake by 9%, growth rate by 8%, carcass weight by 3%, and backfat thickness by 7% (all P < 0.05), but the percentage of pigs that displayed sexual behaviour and carcasses with >25 lesions both increased (both P < 0.05). Conclusions Shortening the immunocastration-to-slaughter interval from 3 to 2 weeks by delaying V2 is an effective strategy to reduce feed intake, growth rate, carcass weight and backfat in group-housed male pigs, but at a risk of increasing carcass skin blemishes. Implications The increased sexual behaviour and carcass skin blemishes will need to be managed when using a shortened immunocastration-to-slaughter interval to temporarily reduce carcass weight and backfat.

Effects of Standardized Ileal Digestible Lysine Level on Growth Performance in 230 to 285 lb DNA Finishing Pigs

The objective of this study was to estimate the SID Lys requirement for growth and feed efficiency of 230- to 285-lb DNA finishing pigs. A total of 679 barrows and gilts (600 × 241, DNA; initial BW of 228.8 ± 2.9 lb) were used in two separate studies lasting 21- and 28-d, respectively. Pens of pigs were blocked by BW and randomly allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments with 8 to 10 pigs per pen in a randomized complete block design. A similar number of barrows and gilts were placed in each pen. Dietary treatments were corn-soybean meal-based and formulated to 0.43, 0.50, 0.57, 0.64, 0.71, and 0.79% SID Lys, with 12 replications for the 0.43, 0.50, 0.57, 0.71, and 0.79% SID Lys treatments, and 11 replications for the 0.64% SID Lys treatment. Increasing SID Lys increased (linear, P = 0.043) ADG, and improved (quadratic, P = 0.020) feed efficiency, resulting in pigs fed the diet containing 0.71% SID Lys having the greatest final BW and most optimum F/G. At high and low ingredient and pig prices, increasing SID Lys increased (quadratic, P = 0.004) IOFC. The broken-line linear model to maximize ADG predicted that there was no further improvement past 0.64% SID Lys. For F/G, the broken-line linear model predicted that there was no further improvement past 0.59% SID Lys. At high ingredient and pig prices, the quadratic polynomial model for IOFC predicted maximum economic return at 0.64% SID Lys. Additionally, at low ingredient and pig prices, the quadratic polynomial model for IOFC predicted maximum economic return at 0.62% SID Lys. In summary, the optimal SID Lys level for DNA finishing pigs from 230- to 285-lb depends upon the response criteria, with growth performance maximized between 0.59 to 0.64% SID Lys. Economic responses were maximized between 0.62% SID Lys and 0.64% SID Lys.

Impact of increasing levels of condensed tannins from sainfoin in the grower–finisher diets of entire male pigs on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality

Sainfoin is a protein-rich legume with an ideal amino acid profile and therefore could partly replace soybeans in the diets of growing pigs. However, sainfoin also contains a non-negligible amount of condensed tannins (CTs), which can act as antinutritional factors. Bioactive plant compounds, like hydrolysable tannins, have been suggested to be suitable in entire male (EM) production, as they impair the development of accessory sex glands and, by that, reduce boar taint compound levels without negatively impacting growth. It is unknown whether, similar to hydrolysable tannins, CTs from sainfoin reduce the incidence of boar taint without impacting growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality. For the experiment, 48 Swiss Large White EM were assigned within litter to one of four grower (25–60 kg BW) and finisher (60–105 kg BW) diets supplemented with 0 (T0), 5 (T5), 10 (T10), and 15% (T15) sainfoin meal, respectively. The four diets were designed to be isocaloric and isoproteic. Increasing the dietary sainfoin level had no negative effect on growth performance or the carcass characteristics. Despite leading to a similar feed intake between the treatment groups, increasing the dietary sainfoin levels tended (P ≤ 0.08) to reduce the number of feeder visits but increased the time spent at the feeder as well as the feed intake per visit during the finisher period. By increasing sainfoin intake, the levels of C18:3n-3 and long-chain homologs linearly increased (P < 0.01) in the backfat and intramuscular fat (IMF), whereas in the backfat, but not the IMF, the 18:2n-6 levels decreased (P < 0.01). The latter triggered a greater (P < 0.01) desaturation rate (C18:1n-9/C18:0) of the saturated fatty acids, resulting in a greater (P < 0.01) proportion of monounsaturated fatty acid. Apart from a linear decrease (P = 0.02) in the androstenone levels in the longissimus thoracis (LT), increasing the sainfoin intake had no effect on the level of boar taint in the LT and backfat. As determined by the elevated correlation coefficient, skatole and indole levels, but not androstenone levels, in the adipose tissue seem to be reliable proxies for their respective levels in LT and, therefore, in pork. In conclusion, sainfoin is a suitable homegrown protein source for grower finisher pigs and can be included at up to 15% in the diet to replace 7% of soybean in a diet without producing any noteworthy effects on growth, whereas the impact of CTs on boar taint was limited.

Nutritional approaches to slow late finishing pig growth: implications on carcass composition and pork quality.

Although pork producers typically aim to optimize growth rates, occasionally it is necessary to slow growth, such as when harvest facility capacity is limited. In finishing pigs, numerous dietary strategies can be used to slow growth so pigs are at optimal slaughter body weights when harvest facility capacity and/or access is restored. However, the impact of these diets on pork carcass quality is largely unknown. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of dietary strategies to slow growth in late finishing pigs and evaluate their effects on carcass composition and pork quality. Mixed-sex pigs (n = 897; 125 ± 2 kg BW) were randomly allotted across 48 pens and assigned to 1 of 6 dietary treatments (n = 8 pens/treatment): (1) Control diet representative of a typical finisher diet (CON); (2) diet containing 3% calcium chloride (CaCl2); (3) diet containing 97% corn and no soybean meal (Corn); (4) diet deficient in isoleucine (LowIle); (5) diet containing 15% neutral detergent fiber (NDF) from soybean hulls (15% NDF); and (6) diet containing 20% NDF from soybean hulls (20% NDF). Over 42 d, pen body weights and feed disappearance were collected. Pigs were harvested in 3 groups (14, 28, and 42 d on feed) and carcass data collected. From the harvest group, 1 loin was collected from 120 randomly selected carcasses (20 loins/treatment) to evaluate pork quality traits. Overall, ADG was reduced in CaCl2, Corn, and 20% NDF pigs compared with CON pigs (P < 0.001). However, ADFI was only reduced in CaCl2 and 20% NDF pigs compared with CON (P < 0.001). Feed efficiency was reduced in CaCl2 and Corn pigs compared with CON (P < 0.001). Hot carcass weights were reduced in CaCl2 pigs at all harvest dates (P < 0.001) and were reduced in Corn and 20% NDF pigs at days 28 and 42 compared with CON pigs (P < 0.001). In general, CaCl2 and 20% NDF diets resulted in leaner carcasses, whereas the Corn diet increased backfat by 42 d on test (P < 0.05). Loin pH was reduced and star probe increased in CaCl2 pigs compared with CON pigs (P < 0.05); no treatments differed from CON pigs regarding drip loss, cook loss, color, firmness, or marbling (P ≥ 0.117). Overall, these data indicate that several dietary strategies can slow finishing pig growth without evidence of behavioral vices. However, changes to carcass composition and quality were also observed, indicating quality should be taken into consideration when choosing diets to slow growth.

Associations between animal and herd management factors, serological response to three respiratory pathogens and pluck lesions in finisher pigs on a farrow-to-finish farm

BackgroundSerological screening is a common method to monitor antibody response to pathogen exposure, but results could vary due to several factors. This study aimed to quantify animal and management related factors associated with variation in antibody levels in finisher pigs at slaughter, in an Irish farrow-to-finish farm endemically infected with Actinobacillus pleuropneumonia (App), Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mhyo) and swine influenza virus (SIV). A second objective was to estimate differences in antibody levels in pigs presenting pluck lesions. This was an observational study whereby pigs were managed as per routine farm practice. Data on sow parity, number of born alive (NBA) pigs per litter, cross-fostering status, birth and weaning body weight were recorded from 1016 pigs born from one farrowing batch. At slaughter, blood samples were collected for serological analysis and pigs were inspected for presence of enzootic pneumonia (EP)-like lesions, pleurisy, pericarditis and heart condemnations. Pigs were retrospectively classified into three production flows, depending on time spent in each production stage: flow 1 (F1; pigs followed the normal production flow); flow 2 (F2; pigs which were delayed by 1 week from advancing forward); and flow 3 (F3; pigs delayed by > 1 week from advancing forward). A nested case-control design was applied by matching pigs from each flow by sow parity, birth weight and NBA.ResultsPigs born from primiparous sows had higher antibody levels for App than those born to parity ≥5 sows (P < 0.05) and there was no association between any of the pathogens investigated and other early life indicators (P > 0.05). Pigs in F1 had lower antibody levels for App but higher antibody levels for SIV than F2 and F3 pigs (P < 0.05). There was no association between pluck lesions and respiratory pathogens (P > 0.05), except for increased antibody levels for Mhyo when EP-like lesions were present (P = 0.006).ConclusionResults indicate that offspring from primiparous sows develop higher antibody levels for App IV toxin when exposed to this disease and that enforcement of a strict all-in/all-out production system would reduce on-farm disease circulation. A high percentage of pigs were affected with EP-like lesions which were associated with higher antibody levels for Mhyo.

286 Effects of dietary MINTREX trace minerals in a sodium urate-induced transient lameness model in pigs and validation of lameness measurements

Abstract Lameness in gilts and sows has an economic impact on pig production and is a major welfare concern. Study objectives were to compare subjective and objective lameness measurements and assess efficacy of chelated trace minerals in finisher pigs. Two dietary treatments: metal methionine hydroxy analogue chelate (MMHAC) supplied as MINTREX® Zn-Cu-Mn (Novus International, Inc.) supplemented at 80-10-20 mg/kg diet; and sulfates Zn-Cu-Mn supplemented at 120-20-40 mg/kg diet were fed. Four groups of pigs (50-70 kg; 8 pigs/grp) were fed dietary treatments for a duration of 8 wk prior to injection of 2 mg sodium urate crystals into the right rear distal interphalangeal joint. Data collection occurred at baseline, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 144 hr post-urate injection. Measurements included gait scoring (0-4), a panel of serum biomarkers for synthesis and degradation of cartilage (P2CP, CTX2, C2C), bone (osteocalcin, CTX1) and static force-plate. A Proc Mixed GLM procedure of SAS was used and means were determined using a Tukey test. Urate injections resulted in elevated gait scores, peaking at 12 hr and similar to baseline at 72 hr; pigs fed MMHAC had lower gait scores (P&amp;lt; 0.01) compared to sulfate. C2C (P=0.09), CTX2 (P=0.10) and osteocalcin (P&amp;lt; 0.01) paralleled closely to changes in gait score, peaking at 12 h and returning to baseline at 24 to 72 hr. Osteocalcin (P=0.07) and osteocalcin: CTX1 ratio (P=0.05) were increased with MMHAC. These findings demonstrate that biomarkers can distinguish between healthy vs lame pigs and MMHAC, at lower concentrations vs sulfates, reduced gait score and increased osteocalcin.

285 Effects of dietary MINTREX trace minerals and validation of serum biomarkers in measuring lameness in pigs

Abstract Lameness is a welfare issue and is the most common involuntary reason for culling pigs. Study objectives were to compare objective measures of lameness to gait score and assess effects of dietary chelated trace minerals in finisher pigs. The study was a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement consisting of naturally- occurring lame vs healthy pigs and 2 dietary treatments: 1) metal methionine hydroxy analogue chelate (MMHAC) supplied as MINTREX® Zn-Cu-Mn (Novus International, Inc.) supplemented at 80-10-20 mg/kg diet; and 2) sulfates Zn-Cu-Mn supplemented at 120-20-40 mg/kg diet. The study consisted of 4 groups of pigs (50-70 kg; 8 lame/8 non-lame per group) staggered one month apart. Dietary treatments were fed 53d. Measurements included gait scoring (0-4) and a panel of serum biomarkers (P2CP, CTX2, C2C, CTX1, osteocalcin) and were measured at baseline, d28 and d53. Serum biomarkers included bone synthesis (osteocalcin), bone degradation (CTXI), cartilage synthesis (P2CP), and cartilage degradation (C2C, CTX2) as well as the ratio of synthesis/ degradation for a total of 8 biomarkers. Proc Mixed GLM procedure of SAS was used and means were determined using a Tukey test. The main effects of healthy vs lame and dietary treatment were significant, but no diet x lameness interactions were observed. Lame pigs had elevated CTX2 (P&amp;lt; .01), C2C (P=.02) and tended to have reduced ratio of P2CP:CTX2 (P=.09) compared to healthy pigs. MMHAC increased P2CP (P=.01) and P2CP:CTX2 ratio (P=.03) in both healthy and lame pigs compared to sulfates. These findings demonstrate that biomarkers can distinguish mildly lame pigs (average score of 1) from healthy pigs and lower concentrations of MMHAC vs commercial level of sulfates increased cartilage synthesis and the ratio of cartilage synthesis/degradation in both lame and healthy pigs.

Fasting Finisher Pigs before Slaughter Influences Pork Safety, Pork Quality and Animal Welfare.

Simple SummaryFasting prior to slaughter is an accepted best management practice in pork production worldwide. Often, fasting time is confounded with the resting time at the slaughterhouse. In practice, fasting is sometimes only applied from the departure from the farm to the slaughterhouse. When implemented correctly with attention to the local factors, pre-slaughter fasting can improve animal welfare, pathogen risk and carcass hygiene. This review aims to describe the impact of fasting pigs before slaughter.The final phase in pork production is the transport of finisher pigs to the slaughterhouse. Fasting is one of the parameters that influence the stress coping ability of the pigs during transport and lairage. When implemented correctly with attention to the local factors, pre-slaughter fasting can improve animal welfare, pathogen risk and carcass hygiene. The length of pre-slaughter feed withdrawal time is important to the success of the production practice. In practice, a fasting time before slaughter between 12 and 18 h enhances pork safety, pork quality, and animal welfare. This means that communication between producer and slaughterhouse is essential when planning the fasting and lairage times to avoid carcass and technological pork quality problems (such as pale, soft, and exudative (PSE) meat or dark, firm and dry (DFD) meat).

A cross-sectional survey on respiratory disease in a cohort of Irish pig farms

BackgroundRespiratory disease is one of the most important factors impacting pig production worldwide. There is no available information on the prevalence of key pathogens implicated in Irish pig production. The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of pleurisy, pneumonia, lung abscesses, pericarditis and liver milk spots in finisher pigs of a cohort of Irish pig farms, and to describe the seroprevalence of: influenza A virus (IAV), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSv), Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mhyo) and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP).ResultsIn brief, 56 farrow-to-finish farms (29% of the Irish breeding herd) were enrolled in the study in 2017. Data on lungs, heart, and liver lesions were assessed for each farm at slaughter. An average of 417 (range 129–1154) plucks per farm were assessed for pleurisy, pneumonia, lung abscesses, pericarditis, and liver milk spots. Blood samples from 32 finisher pigs were collected at slaughter for each farm. The observed prevalence of pleurisy and pneumonia was one of the lowest reported in similar studies in Europe (13 and 11% estimated average within farm, respectively). Pleurisy lesions were mostly moderate and severe. Pneumonia lesions affected a low level of lung surface (5.8%). Prevalence of pericarditis was mid-high (8%) and the prevalence of liver milk spots was high, with an average of 29% of the livers affected. For serology, 78.6% of the farms were positive for IAV, 50% were positive for PRRSv, 71.4% were positive for Mhyo, and 98.2% were positive for APP. Influenza virus was the main pathogen associated with pleurisy (P < 0.001) and Mhyo was the main pathogen associated with pneumonia (P < 0.001) and pericarditis (P = 0.024).ConclusionsFarms affected with pleurisy had moderate to severe lesions. Farms affected with pneumonia had mild lesions, which could be the effect of the generalised use of Mhyo vaccination in piglets. The seroprevalence of IAV, PRRSv, Mhyo and APP in the present study sample is similar to or lower than in other European countries. Further research on the PRRSv and APP strains circulating in Ireland is necessary to support the design of national or regional control plans.

Effect of long-term feeding of graded levels of deoxynivalenol (DON) on growth performance, nutrient utilization, and organ health in finishing pigs and DON content in biological samples.

The prevalence of deoxynivalenol (DON) is a concern for swine producers, and although there has been extensive research into the effects of DON in pigs, focus has been in young pigs and/or in short-term studies. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of long-term exposure to DON-contaminated diets in finisher pigs. A total of 200 pigs (76.6 ± 3.9 kg initial weight) were group housed (five pigs per pen; n = 10 pens/treatment) in a 6-wk trial. Pigs were fed a wheat-barley-soybean meal-based control (CONT) diet with no DON or the basal diet in which clean wheat was replaced by DON-contaminated wheat and wheat screenings to provide DON content of 1, 3, or 5 ppm (DON1, DON3, and DON5, respectively). Individual BW and pen feed intake were recorded weekly to calculate average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain to feed ratio (G:F). Blood was collected on days 0, 14, and 43 and analyzed for indicators of liver and kidney health. Nitrogen (N)-balance was conducted immediately following the growth performance period to determine the effect of DON on nutrient utilization. Blood and urine samples collected during N balance were analyzed for DON content. Feeding DON reduced (P < 0.05) ADFI and ADG from days 0 to 28 compared with CONT, after which there was no effect of diet on ADFI and ADG. The G:F was lower (P < 0.05) in DON5 fed pigs compared with all treatments during days 0 to 7; however, no treatment effects on G:F was observed from days 8 to 42. Nitrogen retention was lower (P < 0.05) in DON3 and DON5 compared with DON1-fed pigs. Nitrogen retention efficiency was higher (P < 0.05) in DON1 compared with DON3 and DON5 and protein deposition for DON1 pigs was higher (P < 0.05) than all treatments. There were no treatment effects on indicators of liver and kidney health. As dietary DON intake increased, concentration of DON in blood and urine increased. Overall, although there was an initial decrease in ADG and ADFI in pigs receiving diets containing >1 ppm DON, pig performance recovered after a period of time, whereas nutrient utilization continued to be affected after recovery of performance. Moreover, the lack of DON on G:F indicates that the negative effects of DON on growth performance are largely due to reduced feed intake. Overall, although pigs maybe capable of adapting to intake of DON-contaminated diets, their final body weight will be reduced when fed diets containing >1 ppm DON.

Measuring birth weight and umbilical cord diameter at birth to predict subsequent performance in swine.

In the swine industry, pre-weaning mortality, umbilical hernia incidence and pig market weight are a few contributing factors affecting profitability and welfare on farm. Therefore, the ability to reliably predict any of these outcomes is valuable to swine operations. Mortality during the pre-weaning phase, umbilical hernia incidence and poor-quality finisher pigs can represent a multi-million dollar loss and increase in welfare concerns to the producer. Consequently, the objective of this study was to evaluate whether birth weight (BW), umbilical cord diameter at birth (UCD), and the calculated umbilical diameter at birth to birth weight ratio (UCD:BW), are potential indicators of both placental efficiency and relative defect size in the abdominal musculature as well as reliable predictors of pre-weaning mortality, umbilical hernia incidence, and pig body weight at 150 d of age in a commercial facility. Mixed sex commercial piglets were followed through production. Four hundred sixty-five piglets were weighed within 1 h of birth, and the UCD was determined using digital calipers, these animals were followed through weaning. Three hundred eighty-five pigs of the 465 were followed through the post-wean phase in the nursery facility and checked for umbilical hernia incidence. Finally, of the 385 pigs, 177 pigs were assessed for umbilical hernia incidence and weighed a final time at the grower-finisher facility. All data were analyzed using PROC Logistic and PROC GLM procedures. The variables of UCD:BW and BW were significantly associated with the probability of increased pre-weaning mortality (P < 0.001). For example, piglets with a low UCD:BW, but an increased BW had the greatest survival rate. Umbilical diameter (UCD) was not significantly associated with pre-weaning mortality. Post-weaning mortality was not significantly affected by UCD:BW, BW, or UCD variables. Umbilical hernia incidence was not significantly affected by UCD:BW at the nursery phase or growing-finishing phase. Pig body weight at 150 d of age was significantly affected by UCD:BW, BW, and UCD variables (P < 0.001). For example, piglets that had a larger UCD weighed more at 150 d of age. In conclusion, measuring the calculated UCD:BW has the potential to be a novel tool for future research looking into the impacts of umbilical measurements as it relates to placental function, fetal development, piglet survivability and impacts on future performance of the animal.

Managing respiratory disease in finisher pigs: Combining quantitative assessments of clinical signs and the prevalence of lung lesions at slaughter

This study aimed to assess the relationship between quantitative assessments of clinical signs of respiratory disease (recorded manually and automatically) and the prevalence of lung lesions at slaughter to validate the use of both in the management of respiratory disease on farm. This was an observational study where pigs (n = 1573) were monitored from 25 ± 5.3 kg (week 12) to slaughter at 114 ± 15.4 kg (week 24). Pigs were housed in eight rooms divided into six pens on a wean-to-finish farm. A manual pen-based coughing (CF) and sneezing (SF) frequency was recorded weekly, for ten consecutive weeks, and a SOMO box (SoundTalks®) was installed in each room, issuing a daily respiratory distress index (RDI) for 13 weeks. Lungs were individually scored for pneumonia, scarring and dorsocaudal (DC) and cranial (CP) pleurisy lesions at slaughter. Relationship between prevalence of lung lesions and weekly RDI and CF and SF was assessed using Spearman’s rank correlations and multivariable linear and logit-normal models.Both coughing and lung lesions were largely pen-specific, which fit the disease presentation of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. Results showed agreement between RDI and CF (rs = 0.5, P < 0.001), measuring higher levels of coughing at the beginning (weeks 13–14) and end (weeks 21–24, and weeks 21–22, respectively) of the finisher period. Positive associations were found between the prevalence of pneumonia and CF on week 21 and 22 (P < 0.001 and P = 0.011, respectively) and RDI on week 21–24 (rs > 0.70; P < 0.050); the prevalence of DC and CP, and CF on week 22 (P < 0.001); and prevalence of scar lesions and CF on week 17 and 21 (P = 0.013 and P = 0.004, respectively), and RDI on week 21–24 (rs > 0.70; P < 0.050).In the earlier weeks of the finisher stage, coughing was recorded but was not reflected in a higher prevalence of lung lesions at slaughter. These findings highlight the benefit of including measurements of coughing frequency to complement post mortem findings, to improve the management of respiratory disease on farm.

‘The scarlet letters’: Information disclosure and self-regulation: Evidence from antibiotic use in Denmark

This article presents the first empirical estimates regarding the impact of information disclosure on farmers’ economic behavior in terms of antibiotic use. We used the Danish government’s public release of information regarding antibiotic use among pig farms in summer 2010 as a quasi-experiment to exploit the variation in the intensity of damage to farmers’ reputation. The study finds that the information disclosure has induced a significant (20–30%) reduction in pig farmer’s subsequent antibiotic use, with the largest reductions for farms specialized in finisher pig production, both when evaluating the volume of active compounds and the number of prescribed doses. The results also show that the public disclosure has no effect on the survival of farmers in the market, however; it has induced input substitution in terms of increased purchase of vaccines.

The effects of synergistic blend of organic acid or antibiotic growth promoter on performance and antimicrobial resistance of bacteria in grow-finish pigs.

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of Selacid Green Growth (GG) or antibiotic growth promoter (AGP) on the performance and economics of grow–finish (GF) pigs. The Selacid GG is a blend of short-chain fatty acids (formic acid, acetic acid, lactic acid, propionic acid, citric acid, and sorbic acid), buffered organic acid (ammonium formate), and a combination of medium-chain fatty acids (C8, C10, and C12). A total of 312 grower pigs (Yorkshire × Landrace × Duroc) with initial body weight (BW) of 26.5 ± 0.92 kg were used in a 90-d feeding trial. The pigs were allocated randomly to three treatments consisting of eight replicate pens with 13 pigs each. The treatments tested included a 1) negative control (control): basal diet without colistin and Selacid GG, 2) positive control (AGP): basal diet with colistin (20 g/ton), and 3) Feed additive (Selacid GG): basal diet with Selacid GG (2 kg/ton). The results showed that, over the entire period of the experiment, the dietary supplementation of Selacid GG elicited a similar effect as AGP on feed cost and on all growth parameters measured (P > 0.05). In relation to the control group, Selacid GG significantly improved the final BW (+3.4 kg or 3.6%), average daily gain (+39 g/pig or 5.3%), and gain:feed (+30 g or 8.1%) of pigs (P < 0.05). In addition, the feeding of Selacid GG reduced feed cost (−0.078 USD) per kilogram BW gain. The average daily feed intake was not affected by dietary treatments (P > 0.05). Escherichia coli was prevalent in 46 out of 48 fecal samples tested. All E. coli isolates were resistant to colistin, amox-colistin, ciprofloxacin, and enrofloxacin. The number of E. coli isolates resistant to amoxicillin/clavulanic, cefotaxime, ceftiofur, and norfloxacin was significantly reduced, whereas the inhibitory zones of amocxillin/clavulanic acid were increased; and the susceptibility of E. coli to amoxcillin/clavulanic, cefotaxime, ceftiofur, ciprofloxacin, nofloxacin, and flumequin was increased when Selacid GG was added in the feeds (P < 0.05). The findings of the study suggest that Selacid GG is a cost-effective product with the same efficacy as AGP in promoting the growth and economic performance of GF pigs. The product is safe and can be added to the diet of GF pigs without developing resistance to selected antibiotics.

Temperature distribution in a finisher pig building with hybrid ventilation

The differences between temperatures in the animal occupied zone (AOZ) and temperatures measured by control system sensors are rarely explored. This experimental study quantifies the dry-bulb air temperature [hereinafter temperature] distribution inside a finisher pig building that combines natural ventilation through automatically controlled openings with a mechanical ventilation system. Year-long temperature data from 28 sensors located at 3 different heights in the building was analysed to help understand the temperature distributions and indicate the temperatures below or above an assumed optimal temperature range, defined as between 14 °C and 24 °C. Relatively large variations in the spatial temperature distribution were found, and they were higher in the vertical direction than in the longitudinal direction. The temperatures measured in the AOZ at 0.25 m height, were on average, 7 °C warmer than that at 1.5 m height. The AOZ temperature correlated better with temperatures measured at 0.7 m or 1.5 m height in the same pen than with temperatures measured in the AOZ at other pens. The analyses show that a proportional–integral based control system effectively counteracts the effects of outdoor wind conditions, and the control system is capable of maintaining the defined optimal temperature at the measurement height. However, the optimum temperatures at the measurement heights above AOZ do not correspond to the measured temperatures in the AOZ. • Temperature gradients exist in both vertical and horizontal direction. • Average temperatures at 0.25 m were 7 °C warmer than at 1.5 m for 50% of time. • Temperature gradients were worst during the winter and periods with no wind. • Maintaining optimal temperature at control sensors alone is not sufficient for pigs. • Temperatures experienced by pigs are not reflected by control temperatures.

Evaluation of pineapple byproduct at increasing levels in heavy finishing pigs feeding

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary pineapple byproduct increasing levels on heavy finishing pigs performance, diet nutrient and energy digestibility, digesta transit time and carcass characteristics. Thirty-two barrows (77.85 ± 2.57 kg initial body weight - BW) were used in a complete block design experiment, with 4 dietary treatments, 8 replications per treatment and 1 pig per experimental unit (pen). The pigs were fed corn-soybean meal based diets with inclusions of 0, 90, 180 and 270 g pineapple byproduct/kg, from 77.85 ± 2.57 kg to 101.25 ± 4.25 kg (Phase 1) and from to 101.25 ± 4.25 kg to 126.71 ± 8.61 kg (Phase 2) BW. Diets were formulated to provide the same levels of standardized ileal digestible lysine (8.29 and 7.48 g/kg), methionine + cysteine (4.97 and 4.21 g/kg), threonine (5.55 and 5.01 g/kg), tryptophan (1.49 and 1.35 g/kg), calcium (5.12 and 4.74 g/kg), and standardized total tract digestible phosphorous (2.50 and 2.31 g/kg) in phases 1 and 2, respectively. The pineapple byproduct sample presented (dry matter basis) 65.1 g crude protein /kg, 728.8 g total dietary fiber/kg, 49.7 g soluble dietary fiber/kg, 679.1 g insoluble dietary fiber/kg, 736 g neutral detergent fiber/kg, 318 g acid detergent fiber/kg and 17.7 MJ GE/kg. The pigs were fed ad libitum and at end of the trial were slaughtered by electrical stunning followed by exsanguination in a commercial slaughterhouse. Increasing dietary pineapple byproduct inclusion linearly decreased (P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG - 17%–24%) and average daily feed intake (ADFI – 12–21%) in phases 1, 2 and in the overall period. Conversely, no effects (P > 0.05) were observed on feed conversion ratio. Linear decreases (P < 0.01) were observed on pre-slaughter weight, hot carcass weight, carcass yield, fat area (20 %), fat to meat ratio (22 %), backfat thickness (40 %) and lean meat amount of the pigs as a result of the increasing levels of the feedstuff. Carcass length, loin eye area, loin depth and digesta transit time were not affected (P> 0.05) by experimental diets. Increasing pineapple byproduct content in the diets linearly increased (P < 0.05) insoluble and total dietary fiber digestibility in both phases and lean meat percentage. The soluble dietary fiber digestibility and average backfat thickness showed a quadratic effect (P < 005). Increasing dietary pineapple byproduct inclusion decreased (P < 0.05) dry matter, organic matter, and energy digestibilities in phases 1 and 2, and crude protein digestibility in phase 1. Increasing levels of pineapple byproduct in the diets decreased pigs growth performance, but reduced carcass fat deposition in pigs.

Objective pathogen monitoring in nursery and finisher pigs by monthly laboratory diagnostic testing

BackgroundInfectious diseases are of great economic importance in commercial pig production, causing both clinical and subclinical disease, with influence on welfare, productivity, and antibiotic use. The causes of these diseases are often multifactorial and laboratory diagnostics are seldom routinely performed. The aim of the present study was to explore the benefits of monthly pathogen monitoring in nursery and finisher herds and to examine association between laboratory results and observed clinical signs, including coughing and diarrhoea. Three monthly samplings were conducted in three different age groups in six nursery and four finisher production units. For each unit, two pens were randomly selected in each age group and evaluated for coughing and diarrhoea events. Furthermore, faecal sock and oral fluid samples were collected in the selected pens and analysed for 18 respiratory and enteric viral and bacterial pathogens using the high-throughput real-time PCR BioMark HD platform (Fluidigm, South San Francisco, USA).ResultsIn total, 174 pens were sampled in which eight coughing events and 77 diarrhoeic events were observed. The overall findings showed that swine influenza A virus, porcine circovirus 2, porcine cytomegalovirus, Brachyspira pilosicoli, Lawsonia intracellularis, Escherichia coli fimbria types F4 and F18 were found to be prevalent in several of the herds. Association between coughing events and the presence of swine influenza A virus, porcine cytomegalovirus (Cq ≤ 20) or a combination of these were found. Furthermore, an association between diarrhoeic events and the presence of L. intracellularis (Cq ≤ 24) or B. pilosicoli (Cq ≤ 26) was found.ConclusionsThe use of high-throughput real-time PCR analysis for continuous monitoring of pathogens and thereby dynamics of infections in a pig herd, provided the veterinarian and farmer with an objective knowledge on the distribution of pathogens in the herd. In addition, the use of a high-throughput method in combination with information about clinical signs, productivity, health status and antibiotic consumption, presents a new and innovative way of diagnosing and monitoring pig herds and even to a lower cost than the traditional method.

Herd-level risk factors for chronic pleurisy in finishing pigs: a case-control study

BackgroundChronic pleurisy is a common finding in slaughtered pigs in post-mortem meat inspection. The prevalence of pleurisy has been increasing during the last decade also in Finland. The aim of this prospective case-control study was to search for environmental, infectious and management-related herd-level risk factors for pleurisy in the slaughterhouse. Altogether 46 Finnish pig herds, including 25 control (low pleurisy prevalence in meat inspection) and 21 case (high pleurisy) herds, were enrolled in the study and visited during the tenth week of the rearing period of finishing pigs. Herd personnel were asked about basic herd information, management and environmental factors. Selected pigs were examined clinically, environmental parameters were measured and 15 blood samples per herd were taken during herd visits. Antibodies against Actinobacillus pleuropneumonia serotype 2 (APP2) and ApxIV toxin and swine influenza virus were measured. After the slaughter of study pigs, meat inspection results of the batch were gathered from slaughterhouses. Multivariate logistic regression model was built to identify possible risk factors for a herd to be a case herd (i.e. having high pleurisy values).ResultsFinishing herd type and herd size were observed to act as risk factors. None of clinical signs of pigs, management-related factors or environmental measurements were associated with herd status.ConclusionsAs previously known, in endemic and subclinical infections such as APP, herd factors are important, but detailed risk factors seem to be difficult to identify.