Pork Production Systems Research Articles

Assessing antimicrobial resistance profiles of Salmonella enterica in the pork production system.

Introduction. Salmonella enterica is a significant enteric pathogen affecting human and livestock health. Pork production is a common source of Salmonella contamination, with emerging multidrug resistance (MDR) posing a global health threat.Gap statement. Salmonella contamination and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles in the pig production chain are underreported.Aim. To investigate the prevalence of S. enterica in the pig production chain and characterise their AMR profiles.Methodology. We collected 485 samples from pig farms, a standard pig abattoir and retail markets in Patthalung and Songkhla provinces in southern Thailand. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed on these samples, and AMR profiles were determined.Results. S. enterica was detected in 68.67% of farm samples, 45.95% of abattoir samples and 50.67% of retail market samples. Analysis of 264 isolates, representing 18 serotypes, identified S. enterica serotype Rissen as the most prevalent. The predominant resistance phenotypes included ampicillin (AMP, 91.29%), tetracycline (TET, 88.26%) and streptomycin (STR, 84.47%). Over 80% of isolates showed resistance to three or more antimicrobial classes, indicating MDR. The AMP-STR-TET resistance pattern was found in nearly 70% of all MDR isolates across the production chain.Conclusions. The high prevalence of MDR is consistent with extensive antimicrobial use in the livestock sector. The presence of extensively resistant S. enterica highlights the urgent need for antimicrobial stewardship. Strengthening preventive strategies and control measures is crucial to mitigate the risk of MDR Salmonella spreading from farm to fork.

A Review of Swine Breeding Herd Biosecurity in the United States to Prevent Virus Entry Using Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus as a Model Pathogen.

The prevention of disease introduction into swine herds requires the practice of science-based protocols of biosecurity that have been validated to reduce the risk of the entry of targeted pathogens. The fundamental pillars of biosecurity include bio-exclusion, biocontainment, and bio-management. Biosecurity protocols must be science-based, a way of life, continuously validated, cost-effective, and benchmarked over time. This paper will review these concepts, the direct and indirect routes of transmission of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), and the interventions that have been designed and validated to prevent infection of the breeding herd. It will close with a review of Next Generation Biosecurity, describing how a science-based approach is being used to prevent PRRSV infection in breeding herds from a large commercial pork production system in the US.

43 Approaches for improving nitrogen utilization efficiency and environmental sustainability of pork production systems

Abstract Nitrogen (N) is an essential element for life, but due to its inefficient utilization, N waste and emissions generated have exceeded the planetary boundaries and ability of the Earth to effectively overcome these environmentally detrimental effects. Global food animal production contributes 29 to 34% of total global N emissions, with pork supply chains contributing about 16% of these emissions. Life cycle N use efficiency (NUE) of U.S. pork production is only about 56%, which is similar to broiler (55%) and egg (50%) production, but greater than beef (10%) and milk (31%) production. However, only about 10 to 44% of dietary N is converted into edible pork products. While genetic improvement has increased NUE associated with improved lean growth rate, improvement in litter size has led to an increased proportion of low-birth-weight pigs that have reduced NUE. Although metabolic modifiers including porcine somatotropin, ractopamine, and immunocastration improve NUE, they are not feasible or acceptable to consumers in many countries. Separate sex feeding and reducing market weight can also improve NUE. Ultimately feeding program design and implementation have the greatest potential to improve NUE because feed is associated with 70% of N emissions in pork production systems. Multi-objective feed formulation using Life Cycle Assessment environmental impact data of feed ingredients, precision feed formulation and feeding practices to overcome variability in digestible nutrient content of feed ingredients and nutritional requirements of pigs fed in groups, feed processing to enhance energy and nutrient digestibility, and minimizing feed wastage offer the greatest opportunity to improve NUE and environmental sustainability. There are substantial differences in greenhouse gas emissions and embedded water and land use associated with growing-finishing feeding programs depending on the dietary proportions of corn, soybean meal, distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), and crystalline amino acids among U.S. geographic regions. Furthermore, addition of thermally processed supermarket food waste to corn-soybean meal (CSBM) diets can significantly reduce environmental impacts and diet cost without compromising growth performance and carcass composition compared with current commercial feeding programs. Although growing-finishing feeding programs using CSBM diets with minimal crystalline amino acids result in greater N intake, N retained, and urinary N excretion compared with feeding low protein, crystalline amino acid supplemented (LP) diets, and diets containing 30% DDGS, growth performance and carcass composition are optimized and impacts on climate change, marine and freshwater eutrophication, and fossil resource are reduced by feeding CSBM diets compared with feeding LP or DDGS diets. Sourcing and using feed ingredients with reduced environmental impact metrics along with precision diet formulation and feeding practices to ensure “getting the right amount of energy and nutrients in the right feed fed to the right pigs at the right time” can improve NUE and environmental sustainability of pork production systems.

112 Nutritional, feed safety, and environmental benefits and limitations of using soybean co-products in swine diets

Abstract Various types of soybean co-products are used in swine diets which have benefits and limitations related to protein quality, environmental impact, and feed safety. To address these concerns for sustainable pork production, methodologies have evolved. Soybean processing and storage methods affecting protein oxidation have been studied less than lipid oxidation. Protein carbonyl concentrations were measured and compared among diverse samples of soybeans and soybean meal from different regions of the US and processed by mechanical or solvent extraction. Mechanically extracted soybean meal had greater concentrations of protein carbonyls than solvent extracted soybean meal which were associated with a greater concentration of residual oil. Soybeans and their co-products also contain antioxidants that may protect against more extensive lipid and protein oxidation. Understanding the interactions between natural antioxidants and oxidation of lipid and proteins in soy co-products is important for optimizing nutritional efficiency and health in sustainable pork production systems. Because soybean meal is a major component of swine diets, its origin and environmental footprint affects the environmental impact of feed, manure, and pork production. Using a spatially explicit lifecycle assessment of feed ingredients and regional manure management programs, we compared the effect of using four feeding programs on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, land use, and embedded water consumption in 3 major U.S. pork production regions assuming they would provide equal growth performance and carcass composition. Although environmental impacts varied among regions, the corn-soybean meal feeding program resulted in the greatest land and water use of all grower-finisher feeding programs, and more GHG emissions than feeding low protein amino acid supplemented (LP) diets and diets containing 8% supermarket food waste, but less overall GHG emissions than the distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) feeding program. Results from a subsequent study showed that feeding corn-soybean meal diets optimized growth performance and carcass composition while simultaneously reducing impacts on climate change, marine and freshwater eutrophication, and fossil resource use compared with feeding DDGS and LP diets. Lastly, the extended survival of infectious agents such as African swine fever virus in feed ingredients has important implications for biosecurity and prevention of transboundary transmission of swine diseases. We developed a risk-free in situ surrogate non-animal assay (RISNA) to estimate survival of ASFV in various feed ingredients and conditions, and results indicate greater thermal stability than previously observed, and comparable extended survival among corn- and soybean-based ingredients. These new insights will be useful in revising feed biosecurity protocols to prevent introduction and transmission of ASFV in feed supply chains. In conclusion, holistic assessments of feed ingredients, like our evaluation of soybean co-products, are needed to achieve a more sustainable, One Health approach to pork production.

Sustainable pork production and processing: a step toward empowering tribal women in Northeast India.

This study explores the transformative potential of sustainable pork production and processing as a tool to empower tribal women in the northeast region (NER) of India. The NER is faced with multiple challenges, such as poverty, gender inequality, and poor livelihood methods. Therefore, enhancing sustainable production and processing methods for pork, which is their staple food, presents not only an opportunity for the socio-economic development of the region but also an effective tool for the economic empowerment of tribal women. Through a primary survey of pork value chain actors in Assam, Meghalaya, and Nagaland (the largest producers and consumers of pork in the NER), the study outlines the current practices and barriers to sustainable pork production methods. Although the consumption of pork has remained unchanged and that of processed pork items is on the rise, the production of pork is drastically declining. Therefore, reviving pork production in the NER can be instrumental in building sustainable livelihood models, especially for tribal women in the region. The study explores the effectiveness of a community-based, 'model village approach,' where capacity building around sustainable pork production, processing, and waste management techniques results in the economic empowerment of women. The findings from the post-impact analysis of the capacity-building approach call for policy intervention and the establishment of supportive networks to enhance the growth of a sustainable pork production system across NER, thereby contributing to the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets proposed by the Indian economy.

Self-Reliance and Pig Husbandry in Los Angeles Chinatown (1880–1933): New Evidence from Dental Calculus Analysis and Historical Records

AbstractThis study explores the pig-raising practices of Chinese migrants in Los Angeles Chinatown during the Chinese Exclusion Era. Chinese butcher shops sold pork meat, and previous research indicates that they likely sold the more profitable parts outside of Chinatown for additional income while consuming cheaper cuts themselves. Using dental calculus analysis and archival research, this study further explores how Chinatown residents relied on pork to thrive in an anti-Chinese environment. Dental calculus results suggest that Chinese migrants raised their own pigs with food waste and by-products from rice fields; this pork was then sold to meat markets or consumed within the community. The analysis of immigration records indicates that Chinese butcher shops provided employment opportunities as well as housing, banking, and immigration support for Chinese migrants. Pig raising, therefore, not only supplied a source of meat for Chinese migrants but also supported a range of social and financial services for a marginalized group that faced everyday discrimination from dominant society. Overall, this study traces the labor and networks that small businesses in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries needed to source and distribute pork, and it highlights how a Chinese diasporic community developed a pork production system to resist racism.

Reducing Weaning Stress in Piglets by Pre-Weaning Socialization and Gradual Separation from the Sow: A Review.

The weaning of pigs in most commercial pork production systems is an abrupt event performed at a fairly young age, i.e., mostly between 2.5 and 5 weeks of age. This practice induces a stress response, and its impact on behavior, performance and the gastrointestinal tract has been well described. Historically, there has been a focus on pre- and post-weaning nutritional strategies and post-weaning housing conditions and medication to improve production and reduce mortality after weaning. However, alternative pre-weaning housing and management systems that promote the development of natural social behaviors of piglets before weaning have recently received more attention. Co-mingling of non-littermates before weaning is a strategy that aims to initiate social interactions prior to weaning. The separation of the litter from the sow in the period leading up to weaning, termed intermittent suckling, aims to enhance the gradual separation from the sow. In addition, these practices encourage the young pig to learn explorative nutrient sourcing. Altogether, they may reduce weaning-associated stress. In this review, these strategies are defined, and their effects on behavior, performance, mortality, gastrointestinal function and immunocompetence are described. Though these strategies may be adapted to a commercial setting, it also becomes clear that many factors can contribute to the success of these strategies.

Undocked Tails, Mycoplasma-like Lesions and Gastric Ulcers in Slaughtering Pigs: What Connection?

Tail biting is an economical and behavioral problem in the pork production system worldwide and systematic tail docking has been applied for decades to decrease the risk of its onset. However, legal and market-driven requirements are leading pig producers to rear undocked animals. The aim of this work was to monitor tail, pluck (lungs, pleurae, and liver), stomach, carcass, and thigh lesions in slaughtering pigs belonging to either docked or undocked batches. A total of 525 batches were evaluated at slaughter: 442 docked and 83 undocked batches. The presence of tail lesions was only recorded in undocked batches (44.0 ± 0.402 vs. 0.2 ± 0.2% compared to docked ones, p < 0.001), with a prevalence of severe chronic lesions of 27.3% ± 0.032, suggesting that more and alternative wide efforts to manage long-tailed animals are needed. On the contrary, docked animals showed more frequent ear lesions (9.6% ± 0.037 vs. 4.6% ± 0.019; p = 0.0001). Severe lung lesions were found more frequently in undocked animals (9.2% ± 0.043 vs. 6.6% ± 0.011, p = 0.006), as well as gastric ulcers (26.1% ± 0.021 vs. 20.3% ± 0.37, p = 0.006). These lesions might share the same predisposing factors of tail lesions; the latter might be investigated as an iceberg indicator for other pathological conditions in undocked pigs and eventual causal association among lesions in these organs should be explored.

Ex-ante life cycle assessment of commercial-scale cultivated meat production in 2030

PurposeCultivated meat (CM) is attracting increased attention as an environmentally sustainable and animal-friendly alternative to conventional meat. As the technology matures, more data are becoming available and uncertainties decline. The goal of this ex-ante life cycle assessment (LCA) was to provide an outlook of the environmental performance of commercial-scale CM production in 2030 and to compare this to conventional animal production in 2030, using recent and often primary data, combined with scenario analysis.MethodsThis comparative attributional ex-ante LCA used the ReCiPe Midpoint impact assessment method. System boundaries were cradle-to-gate, and the functional unit was 1 kg of meat. Data were collected from over 15 companies active in CM production and its supply chain. Source data include lab-scale primary data from five CM producers, full-scale primary data from processes in comparable manufacturing fields, data from computational models, and data from published literature. Important data have been cross-checked with additional experts. Scenarios were used to represent the variation in data and to assess the influence of important choices such as energy mix. Ambitious benchmarks were made for conventional beef, pork, and chicken production systems, which include efficient intensive European animal agriculture and incorporate potential improvements for 2030.Results and discussionCM is almost three times more efficient in turning crops into meat than chicken, the most efficient animal, and therefore agricultural land use is low. Nitrogen-related and air pollution emissions of CM are also lower because of this efficiency and because CM is produced in a contained system without manure. CM production is energy-intensive, and therefore the energy mix used for production and in its supply chain is important. Using renewable energy, the carbon footprint is lower than beef and pork and comparable to the ambitious benchmark of chicken. Greenhouse gas profiles are different, being mostly CO2 for CM and more CH4 and N2O for conventional meats. Climate hotspots are energy used for maintaining temperature in reactors and for biotechnological production of culture medium ingredients.ConclusionsCM has the potential to have a lower environmental impact than ambitious conventional meat benchmarks, for most environmental indicators, most clearly agricultural land use, air pollution, and nitrogen-related emissions. The carbon footprint is substantially lower than that of beef. How it compares to chicken and pork depends on energy mixes. While CM production and its upstream supply chain are energy-intensive, using renewable energy can ensure that it is a sustainable alternative to all conventional meats.RecommendationsCM producers should optimize energy efficiency and source additional renewable energy, leverage supply chain collaborations to ensure sustainable feedstocks, and search for the environmental optimum of culture medium through combining low-impact ingredients and high-performance medium formulation. Governments should consider this emerging industry’s increased renewable energy demand and the sustainability potential of freed-up agricultural land. Consumers should consider CM not as an extra option on the menu, but as a substitute to higher-impact products.

A systems approach to evaluate nitrogen utilization efficiency and environmental impacts of swine growing-finishing feeding programs in U.S. pork production systems.

Traditionally, swine diets have been formulated to meet nutrient requirements at the lowest cost with little regard toward minimizing environmental impacts. The overall objective of this study was to evaluate the relative differences among four grower-finisher feeding programs, using precision diet formulation practices, on growth performance, carcass composition, nitrogen utilization efficiency, and environmental impacts. In Exp. 1, four 4-phase growing-finishing feeding programs consisting of diets containing corn and soybean meal (CSBM), low protein CSBM supplemented with crystalline amino acids (LP), CSBM with 30% distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), and DDGS supplemented with crystalline Ile, Val, and Trp (DDGS+IVT) were fed to 288 mixed sex pigs (initial BW = 36.9 ± 4.2kg) for 12-wk to determine effects on growth performance and carcass characteristics. Pigs fed CSBM had greater (P < 0.05) final BW than those fed LP and DDGS, and greater gain efficiency than pigs fed LP. Pigs fed DDGS+IVT tended to have greater (P = 0.06) backfat depth than pigs fed DDGS, and less (P < 0.05) loin muscle area than pigs fed CSBM. In Exp. 2, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) balance of barrows (n = 32; initial BW = 59.9 ± 5.1kg) fed each of the phase-2 diets from Exp. 1 was determined in a 12-d metabolism study (7-d adaptation and 5-d collection). Pigs fed CSBM had a greater (P < 0.05) amount of N retained than pigs fed other diets, but also had a greater (P < 0.05) amount of urinary N excretion and blood urea N than pigs fed LP and DDGS+IVT diets. Pigs fed LP tended (P = 0.07) to have the greatest N utilization efficiency but the least (P < 0.05) P retained as a percentage of P intake among dietary treatments. Diet composition and data collected from Exp. 1 and 2 were used to calculate life cycle assessment environmental impacts using Opteinics™ software (BASF, Lampertheim, Germany). The CSBM feeding program had the least impact on climate change, marine and freshwater eutrophication, and fossil resource use. The LP feeding program had the least impact on acidification, terrestrial eutrophication, and water use, while the DDGS feeding programs had the least impact on land use. These results indicate that feeding corn-soybean meal diets optimized growth performance and carcass composition while simultaneously reducing impacts on climate change, marine and freshwater eutrophication, and fossil resource use compared with the other feeding programs evaluated.

Uma abordagem de saúde única para a vigilância de novas doenças virais de suínos

Abstract The novel coronavirus pandemic highlighted the importance of discussing and monitoring emerging diseases to scientific society, particularly in the case of zoonotic diseases. Diseases emerge in nature and infect living beings current on all continents, even in the current scenario of biomedical research evolution. Among the most studied emerging animal diseases are the swine viral diseases, due to their high occurrence and severity. Added to this, is the economic impact on the health of pigs and in some cases on human health. The challenges of swine health include endemic diseases, foodborne and transboundary diseases. Idiopathic vesicular diseases and subclinical diseases have also been identified, either alone or in combination with other infections. Several factors have contributed to these phenomena, but failures in biosecurity, biocontainment, and herd immunity imbalances are critical and must be addressed. Viruses evolve naturally, through mutation, rearrangement, or recombination, either to become more virulent or more transmissible, or not. This review will discuss the broad field of emerging swine viral infections, how monitoring the evolution of these viral agents is of supreme importance. Also, when should a new disease or emerging agent is considered a risk to swine production? Although the evolution of pork production systems is admirable, animal diseases continue to account for 20% of the losses. Therefore, international organizations work with member countries to prevent animal diseases, ensure food supply, maintain household income, health, and preserve the future. One Health is not just a concept, but an action of surveillance and control that all countries must implement.

Trichinella infection in Serbia from 2011 to 2020: a success story in the field of One Health.

In Serbia, modern pork production systems with implemented control measures, including the detection of Trichinella larvae in meat (ISO18743), have eliminated farmed pork from pigs slaughtered at abattoirs as a source of trichinellosis. Epidemiological data from 2011 to 2020 indicate that the number of human cases and the number of infected domestic pigs has decreased significantly. Over the years, pork was the most frequent source of human infection. Cases generally occurred in small family outbreaks, and the infection was linked to consumption of raw or undercooked pork from backyard pigs. In most of the outbreaks, T. spiralis was the aetiological agent of infection, but in 2016, a large outbreak was caused by consumption of uninspected wild boar meat containing T. britovi larvae. To achieve safe pork, it is important that consumers of pork from animals raised in backyard smallholdings and of wild game meat are properly educated about the risks associated with consumption of untested meat. Laboratories conducting Trichinella testing should have a functional quality assurance system to ensure competency of analysts and that accurate and repeatable results are achieved. Regular participation in proficiency testing is needed.

Strategies to manage barn feed supply to prolong and hold late finishing pigs during a supply chain disruption.

The U.S. pork production system is sensitive to supply chain disruptions, including those that can create challenges of feed delivery and feed management during the event of a foreign animal disease outbreak. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate feeding strategies during a prolonged feed availability shortage in group-housed finishing pigs and assess the impacts on pig performance. A total of 1,407 mixed-sex pigs (92 ± 11 kg BW) were randomly allocated to one of five treatments across 60 pens (N = 12 pens per treatment, 22 pigs per pen) and were blocked by initial body weight (BW) within the replicate, over a 21-d test period. Treatments were fed for 14 d (P1), and thereafter all pens returned to ad libitum access to a standard commercial diet for 7 d (P2). Treatments included: 1) Pens fed ad libitum (CON); 2) Pens fed at 1.45X ME maintenance requirement daily of CON diet (1.45X); 3) Pens fed 2X ME maintenance requirement daily of CON diet (2X); 4) Tightened feeders to the lowest setting, fed ad libitum of CON diet (CF); and 5) whole corn kernels, fed ad libitum (WC). P1 and P2 BW and feed disappearance were recorded to calculate ADG, ADFI, and G:F. Data were analyzed with pen as the experimental unit and least-squares means values reported by treatment. Compared to CON, pens fed 1.45X, 2X, CF, and WC treatments had significantly reduced P1 ADG (1.09 vs. 0.02, 0.34, 0.72, 0.41 kg/d, respectively), ADFI (3.21 vs. 1.42, 1.90, 2.49, 2.40 kg/d, respectively) and G:F (P < 0.05). During P2, ADG and G:F were increased (P < 0.05) compared to CON across all treatments. However, ADFI increased only in the 2X, CF, and WC diet from the CON (P < 0.05). Overall (days 0 to 21), all strategies attenuated BW, ADG, and ADFI (P < 0.01) compared to CON. However, G:F was only reduced (P < 0.01) in 1.45X and WC, but not 2X and CF (P > 0.05) compared to CON. In conclusion, all strategies explored could extend feed budgets. Even though these strategies were successful, increased BW variability was reported with more restrictive strategies. Further, adverse pig behaviors and welfare implications needs to be considered in adopting any restrictive feeding strategy.

Environmental impacts of eco-nutrition swine feeding programs in spatially explicit geographic regions of the United States.

This study was conducted to determine greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, water consumption, land use, as well as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and carbon (C) balance of five diet formulation strategies and feeding programs for growing-finishing pigs (25-130 kg body weight) in the three spatially explicit geographic regions where the majority of U.S. pork production occurs. Feeding programs evaluated consisted of 1) standard corn-soybean meal (CSBM) diets, 2) CSBM containing 15% corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), 3) CSBM with 8.6% thermally processed supermarket food waste (FW), 4) low crude protein CSBM diets supplemented with synthetic amino acids (SAA), and 5) CSBM with phytase enzyme (PHY) added at 600 FTU (phytase units)/kg of diet. An attributional Life Cycle Assessment approach using a highly specialized, spatially explicit Food System Supply-Chain Sustainability (FoodS3) model was used to quantify GHG emissions, water consumption, and land use of corn, soybean meal, and DDGS based on county level sourcing. The DDGS, FW, and SAA feeding programs had less estimated N and P intake and excretion than CSBM, and the PHY feeding program provided the greatest reduction in P excretion. The FW feeding program had the least overall GHG emissions (319.9 vs. 324.6 to 354.1 kg CO2 equiv./market hog), land use (331.5 vs. 346.5 to 385.2 m2/market hog), and water consumption (7.64 vs. 7.70 to 8.30 m3/market hog) among the alternatives. The DDGS feeding program had the greatest GHG emissions (354.1 kg CO2 equiv./market hog) among all programs but had less impacts on water consumption (7.70 m3) and land use (346.5 m2) per market hog than CSBM and PHY. The SAA feeding program provided a 6.5-7.4% reduction in land use impacts compared with CSBM and PHY, respectively. Regardless of feeding program, the Midwest had the least contributions to GHG emissions and land use attributed to feed and manure among regions. Water consumption per market hog associated with feeding programs was much greater in the Southwest (59.66-63.58 m3) than in the Midwest (4.45-4.88 m3) and Mid-Atlantic (1.85-2.14 m3) regions. Results show that diet composition and U.S. geographic region significantly affect GHG emissions, water consumption, and land use of pork production systems, and the potential use of thermally processed supermarket food waste at relatively low diet inclusion rates (<10%) can reduce environmental impacts compared with other common feeding strategies.

Trichinella spp. control in modern pork production systems

Infection with Trichinella spp. from pork and other sources has been a major public health concern in many parts of the world. This review describes the progression of processes followed to protect consumers from exposure to this parasite. Testing programs for pigs, as required by some countries, have been important in reducing the risk of exposure from commercial pork products. However, improvements in pork production systems in the past several decades, including high levels of bio-security in confinement production systems, have also contributed to major reductions in the occurrence of this parasite in pigs and pork products. International guidelines and regulations have codified requirement for controlled management or controlled housing that prevents risk of exposure of pigs to Trichinella spp. Adhering to these requirements, with appropriate documentation, eliminates the need for individual carcass testing for domestic consumers as well as for purposes of trade. Pigs not produced in controlled housing systems should be subject to testing to confirm absence of Trichinella spp. infection.

Molecular Evolution of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Field Strains from Two Swine Production Systems in the Midwestern United States from 2001 to 2020.

ABSTRACTPorcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) poses an extensive economic threat to the United States swine industry. The high degree of PRRSV genetic and antigenic variability challenges existing vaccination programs. We evaluated the ORF5 sequence of 1,931 PRRSV-2 strains detected from >300 farms managed by two pork production systems in the midwestern United States from 2001 to 2020 to assess the genetic diversity and molecular characteristics of heterologous PRRSV-2 strains. Phylogenetic analysis was performed on ORF5 sequences and classified using the global PRRSV classification system. N-glycosylation and the global and local selection pressure in the putative GP5 encoded by ORF5 were estimated. The PRRSV-2 sequences were classified into lineage 5 (L5; n = 438[22.7%]) or lineage 1 (L1; n = 1,493[77.3%]). The L1 strains belonged to one of three subclades: L1A (n = 1,225[63.4%]), L1B (n = 69[3.6%]), and L1C/D (n = 199[10.3%]). 10 N-glycosylation sites were predicted, and positions N44 and N51 were detected in most GP5 sequences (n = 1,801[93.3%]). Clade-specific N-glycosylation sites were observed: 57th in L1A, 33rd in L1B, 30th and 34th in L1C/D, and 30th and 33rd in L5. We identified nine and 19 sites in GP5 under significant positive selection in L5 and L1, respectively. The 13th, 151st, and 200th positive selection sites were exclusive to L5. Heterogeneity of N-glycosylation and positive selection sites may contribute to varying the evolutionary processes of PRRSV-2 strains circulating in these swine production systems. L1A and L5 strains denoted excellence in adaptation to the current swine population by their extensive positive selection sites with higher site-specific selection pressure.IMPORTANCE Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is known for its high genetic and antigenic variability. In this study, we evaluated the ORF5 sequences of PRRSV-2 strains circulating in two swine production systems in the midwestern United States from 2001 to 2020. All the field strains were classified into four major groups based on genetic relatedness, where one group is closely related to the Ingelvac PRRS MLV strain. Here, we systematically compared differences in the ORF5 polymorphisms, N-glycosylation sites, and local and global evolutionary dynamics between different groups. Sites 44 and 51 were common for N-glycosylation in most amino acid sequences (n = 1,801, 93.3%). We identified that the L5 sequences had more positive selection pressure compared to the L1 strains. Our findings will provide valuable insights into the evolutionary mechanisms of PRRSV-2 and these molecular changes may lead to suboptimal effectiveness of Ingelvac PRRS MLV vaccine.

A Scenario Analysis for Implementing Immunocastration as a Single Solution for Piglet Castration.

Simple SummaryThe 2010 European Declaration aimed at abandoning surgical castration and switching to alternative methods. With an intention to facilitate the internal trade, the European Union (EU) was initially in favor of a single alternative. Immunocastration, as an active vaccine against the Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone, was proposed as a potential solution. However, its market potential is not yet well understood. This study applied the method of scenario analysis to examine whether and under what conditions immunocastration could be the general solution sought by the EU. Specifically, it developed two extreme scenarios. Both scenarios suggest that it is unlikely that immunocastration will become a single solution for all producers in the EU.Painful castration of male piglets to avoid boar taint can potentially be replaced by three more ethical alternatives: entire male production in combination with a detection method, immunocastration (an active vaccination against the gonadotrophin-releasing factor, GnRF), and castration with pain relief (anesthesia and/or analgesia). With the aim of abandoning piglet castration and facilitating internal trade, the European Union (EU) was initially in favor of a single alternative. Immunocastration was proposed as a potential solution, but it has not yet been sufficiently assessed regarding its market potential. To address this point, this paper uses scenario analysis to examine whether and under what conditions immunocastration could be the general solution sought by the EU. The study constructs two extreme scenarios: one in which all uncertain elements negatively influence the growth of immunocastration; another in which all uncertain elements have positive influences. These scenarios provide insights into the variance in possible futures for the implementation of immunocastration. The results show that it is unlikely that immunocastration will become a single solution for all producers in the EU, because it is not the optimal solution for all types of EU pork production systems (i.e., cost-efficiency oriented, quality oriented, animal-friendly oriented, import dependent). Rather than debating and looking for evidence about which single method is the best for the entire EU, EU authorities are advised to allow the co-existence of all alternatives and to develop protocols for applying them in the pork industry.

Assessing the Environmental Footprint of Distiller-Dried Grains with Soluble Diet as a Substitute for Standard Corn–Soybean for Swine Production in the United States of America

The swine diet formulation in the United States of America (U.S.A.) is entering a new era of decision making to promote low-carbon pork production systems. As a part of the decision-making process, the precision nutrition approaches to customize diet and alternative feeding options that are economically viable and environmentally sustainable are given priority. Hence, the objective of this study is to identify an alternative diet over a standard corn–soybean meal diet. The byproducts from the supply chain of human food and biofuels, i.e., distiller-dried grain with solubles (DDGS), are chosen as an alternative option to formulate a swine diet. First, two alternative byproduct diets with low and high DDGS inclusion (10.1% and 28.8%, respectively) were formulated using the least-cost technique. Second, a life cycle inventory was created, followed by data collection from the key sources, including DATA SMART-2017, USDA, RIA-GREET 2018, and the relevant literature. Third, in SimaPro 8.5.2.0 (PRé Sustainability: LE Amersfoort, The Netherlands), the ReCiPe 2016, the midpoint method by economic allocation was used to investigate the environmental footprint of the formulated diets to inform sustainability decisions of swine-farm managers. The considered functional unit is the ‘lb diet’, and the system boundary is the farm gate that considers only the feed production stage. The observed results include global warming potential, land use, water consumption, fossil resources scarcity, and terrestrial ecotoxicity. The comparative results of a 28.8% DDGS diet over the standard corn–soybean meal diet for the displacement ratio of 0.69 show an approximate global warming potential saving of 0.04 kg CO2 eq. per lb DDGS feed at the feed production stage. Moreover, the DDGS displacement ratio of 0.69 does not significantly impact water consumption and fossil resources; however, it can reduce land use by 26% and terrestrial ecotoxicity by 8% compared to the standard diet. Overall, the quantified environmental footprint results of the byproduct DDGS diets indicate that the footprints of DDGS diets were lower than the standard diet.

Microbial composition differs between production systems and is associated with growth performance and carcass quality in pigs

BackgroundThe role of the microbiome in livestock production has been highlighted in recent research. Currently, little is known about the microbiome's impact across different systems of production in swine, particularly between selection nucleus and commercial populations. In this paper, we investigated fecal microbial composition in nucleus versus commercial systems at different time points.ResultsWe identified microbial OTUs associated with growth and carcass composition in each of the two populations, as well as the subset common to both. The two systems were represented by individuals with sizeable microbial diversity at weaning. At later times microbial composition varied between commercial and nucleus, with species of the genus Lactobacillus more prominent in the nucleus population. In the commercial populations, OTUs of the genera Lactobacillus and Peptococcus were associated with an increase in both growth rate and fatness. In the nucleus population, members of the genus Succinivibrio were negatively correlated with all growth and carcass traits, while OTUs of the genus Roseburia had a positive association with growth parameters. Lactobacillus and Peptococcus OTUs showed consistent effects for fat deposition and daily gain in both nucleus and commercial populations. Similarly, OTUs of the Blautia genus were positively associated with daily gain and fat deposition. In contrast, an increase in the abundance of the Bacteroides genus was negatively associated with growth performance parameters.ConclusionsThe current study provides a first characterization of microbial communities' value throughout the pork production systems. It also provides information for incorporating microbial composition into the selection process in the quest for affordable and sustainable protein production in swine.

Longevity and lifetime reproductive trait genetic parameter estimates from Thai Landrace and Large White pig populations.

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for age at first farrowing (AFF), length of productive life (LPL), lifetime number of piglets born alive (LNBA), lifetime number of piglets weaned (LNW), lifetime wean to first service interval (LW2S), and lifetime pig efficiency (LTP365) from commercial Thai Landrace and Large White populations. Data from 12,843 Landrace (LR) and 14,757 Large White (LW) sows in a Thai commercial pork production system were utilized in this study. The genetic parameters for each trait were estimated using the average information restricted maximum likelihood algorithm where a multivariate animal model was implemented. Heritability estimates for AFF and LPL were low for LR (0.11 and 0.02, respectively) and LW (0.19 and 0.07, respectively). Heritability estimates for lifetime traits ranged from 0.01 to 0.05 for LR and 0.04 to 0.09 for LW. The genetic correlation between LPL with LNBA, LNW, LW2S and LTP365 were positive for LR (0.39 to 0.90) and LW (0.59 to 0.94). Favourable genetic correlations were observed between AFF and LPL for LR (- 0.14) and LW (- 0.14). The phenotypic correlations between LPL and lifetime traits ranged from 0.64 to 0.92 for LR and 0.61 to 0.91 for LW. Favourable phenotypic correlation between AFF and lifetime production traits was observed in the present study. The estimated heritability for the length of productive life and lifetime traits was relatively lowly heritable; length of productive life is genetically associated with lifetime traits. These findings indicate that sow lifetime productivity could be improved using selection on LPL and AFF without antagonism. Thus, improving sow lifetime productivity in the commercial pork production system, AFF and LPL should be included in a maternal line genetic evaluation programme.