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A primary swine production goal is to increase efficiency of lean tissue gains. While many swine production systems currently utilize ad libitum feeding, recent research suggests that altering feeding patterns may impact feed efficiency. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare two feeding patterns and evaluate their impact on whole body tissue accretion, feeding behavior and activity in growing pigs. Forty eight individually housed gilts (55.9±5.2kg on test BW) were assigned into one of two feeding treatments: 1) Free access to the feeder (Free Access) or 2) twice daily access where gilts were allowed to eat ad libitum between 08:00-09:00h and again from 17:00-18:00h (2×). Pig performance was recorded weekly for 55days and average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain:feed (G:F) was calculated. Body composition was assessed in 12 gilts per treatment using dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at day -3 and 55 of treatment, and tissue accretion rates were calculated. Gilt behaviors were assessed via video analysis during week 7 and included time spent eating, feeding rate, enrichment interaction, postural changes, standing, sitting, and lying behaviors. Gilts fed 2× had lower ADG and ADFI compared to Free Access gilts (P≤0.01); however, no treatment difference in G:F was observed (P=0.83). At day 55 gilts fed 2× had a lower fat:protein compared to Free Access gilts (P=0.05). Fat, lean, and protein accretion rates were lower in gilts fed 2× compared to those fed Free Access (P=0.01). Gilts fed 2× ate less frequently and for a shorter duration of time, interacted with enrichment more frequently (P≤0.005), and tended to have less frequent postural changes compared to Free Access gilts (P=0.08). No treatment differences were observed in duration of time spent standing, sitting, or lying (P≥0.39). Although feed regimen did not alter feed efficiency, these data indicate that twice daily feeding reduced gilt adiposity and growth without altering the pig's behavioral expression of hunger. Therefore, twice daily feeding may be a method of increasing percent of lean tissue without negatively impacting gilt welfare., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This study assessed the motivation of gestating sows housed in standard, barren gestation stalls (used for breeding/implantation and/or gestation) for access to environmental enrichment. Enrichment consisted of a cotton rope or rubber mat in comparison to positive (additional food when fed at commercial levels) and negative (empty trough) controls. Although environmental enrichment may improve animal welfare, sows' valuation of enrichments is largely unknown. This study used an operant panel and obtained behavioral measures to quantify motivation. As indicated by a higher price paid and lower latencies to press the panel and enter the treatment stall (all comparisons, p < .05), sows demonstrated higher motivation for food compared with all treatments. Sows housed in gestation stalls did not demonstrate high motivation via operant responding for a cotton rope or a rubber mat; nor did they demonstrate any differences in behavioral measures (all comparisons, p > .10). Although sows' motivation for a mat did not differ from that for an empty trough, previous work has demonstrated the welfare benefits associated with comfort flooring.

Disease surveillance in feedlot cattle is vital for minimizing morbidity and mortality and maintaining cattle welfare. Hanging a novel cotton rope for disease surveillance is commonly used in pig production but is less developed for feedlot cattle. The aims of this study were to 1) inform future rope-based disease surveillance methods by describing sick and healthy feedlot cattle behavioral interactions with a novel rope, and 2) evaluate how cattle rope interactions vary with time, environment, and individual animal characteristics. Cotton ropes were hung in feedlot pens for three 30-min sessions over six non-consecutive summer days at two feedlots. At Feedlot 1, a rope was hung in one chronic pen and seven healthy pens, and the observation sessions were: Early Morning (0545 to 0700 h), Afternoon (1245 to 1300 h), and Evening (1845 to 2000 h). Three pens were observed on each of the six days; the chronic pen, one healthy “novel” pen with cattle that had no rope experience that changed daily, and one healthy “repeat” pen that was sampled over all observation periods. At Feedlot 2, the methods were altered slightly to focus on “repeat” pens during times when staff would be at the feedlot. A rope was hung in one chronic pen and one “repeat” healthy pen each day. The observation sessions were: Early Morning (0615 to 0645 h), Late Morning (1015 to 1045 h), and Afternoon (1315 to 1345 h). Direct continuous observation was used to record the number of rope-directed interactions (RDIs) performed by individual cattle. Results are presented descriptively as means ± SD. On d 1 in healthy pens at both feedlots, the average number of RDIs was 164 ± 72, and the Early Morning session was slightly more active than the two later sessions. The Chronic Pens at both feedlots were much less active, with only 3 and 10 RDIs on D 1 in Chronic Pens 1 and 2, respectively. The average number of unique cattle that performed at least 1 RDI in a healthy pen on d 1 was 23 ± 7, with an average of 11 ± 4.6 cattle performing an RDI in each 30-minute session. The Chronic Pens were less active, with only 2 and 3 unique cattle performing an RDI on d 1 in the Chronic Pens 1 and 2, respectively. Overall, in the Chronic Pens, the number of individual cattle RDIs varied greatly, with a few sick cattle performing the majority of RDIs. Healthy cattle RDIs varied with age, time of day, and temperature, and chronic cattle RDIs varied with disease status and proximity to death. These results indicate that there is potential value in these methods for disease surveillance, but that clear consideration for how environmental and individual animal characteristics impact RDIs is imperative for successful disease surveillance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transition from the sow to nursery pens is a stressful time for pigs and commonly leads to postweaning anorexia and growth check. This can have negative impacts on pig health, welfare, and lifetime performance. The objective of this study was to test the relationship between enrichment use and feeder use immediately post-weaning on final nursery pig body weight (BW). At arrival, 29 mixed-sex pigs (Camborough 1050 X 337, PIC), 19 to 24d of age, were randomly sorted into 3 pens (~0.29 m2/pig) at the Iowa State University Swine Nutrition Farm. Each pen was equipped with a 4-hole, dry self-feeder measuring 0.6 m long. Each pen had two enrichment devices, consisting of one cotton rope and two biscuits, suspended from the feeder at pig height. Biscuits were replaced daily. Total number of interactions with the enrichment and feeder were collected at the individual pig level. All pigs were continually observed for two 1 h periods (h 1 and the h 6 after biscuit replacement) each day over wk 1 (d 0 – d 6). A pig was considered interacting with enrichment if its snout contacted the rope or enrichment biscuit. A pig was considered interacting with the feeder if 1) its head was over the feeder tray, and 2) its nose down in the feeder. Both enrichment and feeder interactions were considered terminated if the pig ceased active interaction for 3 s or more. Behaviors were summed together by time period and day for each pig. Individual BW were taken at the end of the 42-d nursery study. After the nursery trial was completed, the 29 pigs were allocated to a light BW treatment (n = 14) and a heavy BW treatment (n = 15) using the final average BW (24.22 kg) of the. Pigs with a final BW lighter than the group average were assigned to the light treatment, while pigs with a heavier BW than average were assigned to the heavy treatment. T-tests were conducted for enrichment and feeder interactions by final BW group and the pig was the experimental unit. A P ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. There were no observed differences between final pig body weight treatments and the enrichment and feeder interactions over the first week of nursery (P ≤ 0.87). Numerically, there were more overall enrichment interactions than feeder interactions for both BW treatments over wk 1 (Table 1). In conclusion, this enrichment device was of biological interest to the pigs, but other factors impact feeder usage in the first week and need to be considered in future work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: One of the most common reasons that sows are removed from a farm when they would otherwise still be productive is from lameness. The causes of lameness are highly varied and could involve multiple body systems. Early detection, before the problem is untreatable, improves success. Several technologies have been developed to detect lameness earlier when it is less obvious; however, there has been limited testing of them on naturally occurring causes of lameness in sows. This study enrolled animals from a typical farm, moved them to an intensive study lab, and applied these tests to see if they were capable of accurately identifying a variety of naturally occurring lameness problems. Standing and moving lameness scoring, withdrawal from the application of pressure to the leg, the number of pig–human interventions needed to keep animals moving through an obstacle course, and the time to complete an obstacle course were evaluated. Standing and locomotion lameness scoring systems, mechanical pressure, and pig behavior could discriminate between animals with mild organic lameness and animals that were sound and may have utility on the farm and could be used by staff to identify and manage lame animals. In rare instances, the tools used here were able to discriminate between broad categories of lameness causes. The objective of this study was to validate standing and locomotion lameness scoring, mechanical nociceptive threshold testing, and behavioral profile tools for the diagnosis of naturally occurring lameness etiologies in pigs. A total of 55 crossbred gilts and sows obtained from a commercial farm were enrolled in the study; with sound pigs classified as controls (8) and the remainder as lame due to integumentary (20), musculoskeletal (15), and combinations of integumentary and musculoskeletal (12) etiologies. Standing and locomotion lameness, mechanical nociceptive threshold (MNT) test, pig-human interventions, and latency to complete an obstacle course were evaluated. Standing and locomotion lameness scoring systems, MNT, and pig behavior (latency) were capable of discriminating between animals with mild organic lameness and animals that were sound and may have utility on the farm for staff to use to identify and manage lame animals. In rare instances, the tools used here were able to discriminate between broad categories of lameness etiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transition from the sow to nursery is a stressful time for pigs and commonly leads to negative impacts on pig health, welfare, and lifetime performance. The objective of this study was to determine if the addition of a biologically relevant enrichment device affected average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) during the first 2 wk of nursery. A total of 160 mixed-sex pigs (Camborough 1050 X 337, PIC), 19 to 24 d of age [body weight (BW) = 5.77 SD 0.97 kg], were randomly allocated to pens at the Iowa State University Swine Nutrition Farm. Each pen contained 10 pigs (~0.29 m²/pig). Each pen was randomly assigned to one of two treatments: 1) enrichment device with no attractant (positive treatment; n = 8), or 2) no enrichment device (negative treatment; n = 8). Each positive treatment pen had two enrichment devices, consisting of one cotton rope and two biscuits, suspended from the feeder at pig height. The biscuits were replaced daily at about 0800 h throughout wk 1 in nursery (d 0 to d 6). In wk 2 (d 7 to d 13) no pens had an enrichment device. Each pen was equipped with a 4-hole, dry self-feeder measuring 0.61 m long and two affixed nipple drinkers. The feeder was weighed daily, and the pigs weighed weekly. Changes in daily feeder weight and weekly pig BW were used to calculate average daily feed intake (ADFI) and average daily gain (ADG). Pen was the experimental unit. Data were analyzed using the PROC Mixed procedure of SAS. The model included treatment, week, and treatment by week interaction. A P-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered significantly different. There was an observed difference in ADFI and ADG between wk (P ≤ 0.001, Table 1). However, there were no observed differences in ADFI or ADG for treatment (P ≤ 0.79) or treatment by week interaction (P ≤ 0.93). In conclusion, the addition of this biologically relevant enrichment did not improve or impair ADFI and ADG during the first 2 wk of the nursery phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering welfare through the "neonatal and nursery pig perspective" is an exciting approach and one that resonates with consumers. Overlaying this with the Five Domains Model, as we suggest in this review, points to practical on-farm improvements that provide each pig the opportunity to experience positive mental states. The Five Domains Model is broken into physical and functional states, which include Domain 1: Nutrition, Domain 2: Physical Environment, Domain 3: Health, and Domain 4: Behavioral Interaction, and Domain 5: Mental State. The Five Domains Model can build on the breadth and depth of swine welfare science to highlight opportunities to improve welfare on-farm. In Domain 1, management of increasingly large litters is considered, with examples of sow vs. artificial rearing, colostrum quality and quantity, and creep feed management strategies. Efforts can result in positive mental states such as feeling full and content and the ability to experience the pleasure of drinking and food tastes and smells. Domain 2 considers space complexity and access to key resources, along with thermal and physical amenities, to promote feelings of physical comfort. Domain 3 considers pig health in three broads, yet inter-linking categories 1) congenital and hereditary health, 2) environmental pathogen load, and 3) colostrum quality and quantity, and its effect on the microbiome. Improvements can result in a pig that displays vitality and feels healthy. Domain 4 provides the pig opportunities to express its rich behavioral repertoire, specifically positive social interactions, play, and exploration. These efforts can result in pigs feeling calm, safe, comfortable, having companionship, engaged, interested, and rewarded. In conclusion, using the Five Domains Model can highlight numerous opportunities to improve current and future housing and management through the "neonatal and nursery pig perspective" with a focus on inducing positive mental states that can result in improved quality of life and welfare state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a global pandemic on March 11, 2020 by the World Health Organization and its impact on animal agriculture in the United States was undeniable. By April, COVID-19 resulted in the simultaneous closure or reduced operations of many meat processing plants in the upper Midwest, leading to supply chain disruptions. In Iowa, the leading pork production and processing state, these disruptions caused producer uncertainty, confusion, and stress, including time-sensitive challenges for maintaining animal care. The Iowa Resource Coordination Center (IRCC) was quickly created and launched by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS). The IRCC included public representation from the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA), Iowa Pork Industry Center (IPIC), and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, and private partners including producers, veterinarians, and technical specialists. Supporting swine welfare, the IRCC provided information on management strategies, dietary alterations to slow pig growth, alternative markets, on-farm euthanasia, and mass depopulation under veterinary oversight. In a crisis, Iowa created a model that reacted to producers' pragmatic, mental and emotional needs. This model could be quickly replicated with an introduction of foreign animal disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

North American zoological institutions typically feed ground raw meat diets to large exotic cats. These diets typically are nutritionally complete, but lack physical properties characteristic of whole prey. Lack of mastication and prey manipulation may contribute to behavioral and health challenges. Pork by-products may provide environmental enrichment to mitigate these challenges. The objectives of this study were to evaluate a pig head for nutritional composition and to determine if a pig head was biologically relevant environmental enrichment for managed large exotic cats. Pig heads consisted of: DM: 48.5%; OM: 60.7%; CP: 38.4%; fat: 22.0%; CF: 13.5%; TDF: 3.4%; GE: 4.1 kcal/g DM. Five individually housed exotic cats (Panthera tigris tigris, Panthera tigris altaica (n = 2), Panthera tigris jacksoni, Panthera leo) were observed in 2-h blocks, 24-h before pig head introduction (Baseline), at time of pig head introduction (Enrichment) and immediately after the pig head was removed (Post Enrichment) via instantaneous scan sampling for 4 consecutive weeks. Active behaviors were 55.7% higher on Enrichment compared to Baseline days, and 26.4% higher compared to Post Enrichment days (p<0.0001). Active behaviors were 39.8% higher on Post Enrichment compared to Baseline days (p<0.0001). Total active behaviors were highest (p<0.0001) in week 3 and lowest (p<0.0001) in week 4 with differences as high as 64.5% seen among weeks. In conclusion, pig heads have potential to provide nutrient dense enrichment to large exotic cats, and employing a pig head as environmental enrichment increased active behaviors and did not lose novelty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During marketing, pigs are exposed to multiple stressors, including feed/water withdrawal, physical assertion, and mixing with unfamiliar pigs. These stressors can disrupt the homeostasis of the market pig, that in-turn could result in non-ambulatory-noninjured, non-ambulatory injured pigs or death. The objective of this study was to provide pigs electrolytes and a glucose source in alginate hydrogel beads (AHB) to determine if they could mitigate transportation stressors. A maternal neonatal pheromone was added to the AHB to encourage consumption. Sixty (PIC USA Camborough-22 sow line) market pigs (BW 122.27± 32.72 kg), including barrows and gilts were allocated to two treatment groups, either AHB (n= 30) or control (CON) without AHB (n= 30). Pigs were acclimated to the AHB 72-h prior to transport and fasted 12-h before being loaded on a straight trailer and transported for a total of 4-h. Pig body weights were collected before and after transport and blood samples were collected via jugular venipuncture. Active and inactive postures and drinking behavior were recorded using GoPro Cameras during transport and 24-h posttransport using a DVR in one min scan sample. The study was a complete randomized design with pen as the experimental unit. The AHB did not affect the pigs body weight (P > 0.05). Blood chemistry and blood hematology measures showed treatment by time interactions for PH, PCO2, HCO3, BE, TCO2, TBIL and GLU (P = 0.05). During transport AHB pigs displayed more lying than CON pigs (P < 0.05). After transport AHB pigs sat more (P < 0.05) and tended (P > 0.05) to move more than CON pigs. CON pigs engaged in more drinking than AHB pigs after transport (P < 0.05). In conclusion, AHBs had some positive welfare effects on pig physiology and behavior during and immediately after short transportation and show promise as a tool that could be practically implemented by the industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During warm weather, incorrect bedding levels on a trailer transporting market weight pigs may result in heat stress, fatigue, and death. Two experiments were conducted in June and July of 2011; Experiment 1 used 80 loads (n = 13,887 pigs) to determine the effects of two bedding levels (3 (68.1 kg) or 6 bags (136.2 kg) of wood shavings/trailer [each bag contained 22.7 kg, 0.2 m³]) on pig measures (surface temperature, vocalizations, slips and falls, and stress signs). Experiment 2 used 131 loads (n = 22,917 pigs) to determine the effects of bedding (3 vs. 6 bags) on transport losses (dead, sum of dead- and euthanized- on arrival; non-ambulatory, sum of fatigued and injured; total transport losses sum of dead and non-ambulatory). Bedding did not affect surface temperature, vocalizations, or slips and falls (p = 0.58, p = 0.50, and p = 0.28, respectively). However, pigs transported on 6 bags/trailer had 1.5% more stress signs than pigs transported on 3 bags/trailer (p < 0.01). No differences were observed between bedding levels for non-ambulatory, dead, or total transport losses (p = 0.10, p = 0.67, and p = 0.34, respectively). Within the context of these experiments, bedding level did not result in deleterious effects on pig measures or transport losses. However, using more bedding may result in higher costs to the industry. Therefore, 3 bags of bedding/trailer may be used when transporting market weight pigs during warm weather in the Midwestern U.S. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 32-month-old female 225-kg nonpregnant cross-bred Newsham sow presented a 6-week history of stereotypic behaviors when housed in a laboratory research facility. A behavioral examination over 12 daylight hours revealed 3 main stereotypic motor patterns, namely (1) oral-nasal gate manipulation defined as placement of the snout between the bars of the pen gate with repetitive, forceful up and down movement; (2) head weaving defined as repetitive lateral head and snout movement toward the pen gates while rocking back and forth on her forequarters with hooves remaining on ground at all times; and (3) body weaving defined as repetitive shifting of body weight from one side to the other with front hooves lifting alternately off the ground. The sow performed the oral-nasal gate manipulation and head and body weaving 4.0%, 12.4%, and 6.8% of her total baseline time budget, respectively. The presumptive diagnosis was oral-nasal and locomotory stereotypies. Three treatments were used to mitigate the duration and frequency of these stereotypic behaviors. Treatment 1—Social treatment (change social stimuli by providing visual and nose-to-nose contact with different neighboring sows); Treatment 2—Forage treatment (change foraging substrates by providing peat moss as a rooting substrate); and Treatment 3—Space treatment (change pen configuration by increasing space). The sow performed the oral-nasal gate manipulation and head and body weaving 0%, 0.4%, and 0.1% of her total time budget, respectively; social treatment: the sow performed the oral-nasal gate manipulation and head and body weaving 0.9%, 15.3%, and 11.3% of her total time budget, respectively; and forage treatment: the sow performed the oral-nasal gate manipulation and head and body weaving 0.5%, 28.0%, and 15.5% of her total time budget, respectively. This study is one of the first reports to evaluate the treatment of established stereotypies in a mature sow. Results suggest the promise of environmental enrichment as an effective treatment strategy. Further research is needed to evaluate the persistence of these behavioral changes and relative importance of different environmental manipulations provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Specifically, this study aimed to establish the effects on mortality and morbidity of boarding levels (amount of side-wall trailer ventilation) for finishing pigs in mild weather (8.80 ± 0.30 °C, 71.70% ± 1.12% humidity). Pigs from commercial finishing sites were transported in 302 pot-bellied trailers to commercial processing plants. Measures collected at the processing plant were rates of dead on arrival (DOA), non-ambulatory, non-injured (NANI), non-ambulatory, injured (NAI), and total dead and down (D&D). Boarding levels (% that side walls were closed off with inserted boards) were divided into 3 bins: low, medium, and high, and outside temperature was divided into 4 bins <5 °C, 5.10-10 °C, and 10.10-15 °C and >15 °C. Average rates of DOA, NANI, NAI, and D&D were approximately 0.30%, 0.12%, 0.04%, and 0.46%, respectively. The D&D was highest when boarding level was low with temperatures <5 °C (p < 0.05). However, variations in boarding level (medium and high boarding) in the temperature range of 5.10 °C to 23.30 °C did not affect pig losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM) and oral (PO) FM PK in mature swine. Appropriate pain management for lameness in swine is a critical control point for veterinarians and producers, but science-based guidance on optimal housing, management and treatment of lameness is deficient. Six mature swine (121–168 kg) were administered an IV, IM, or PO dose of flunixin meglumine at a target dose of 2.2 mg/kg in a cross-over design with a 10 day washout period between treatments. Plasma samples collected up to 48 hours post-administration were analyzed by high pressure liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) followed by non-compartmental pharmacokinetic analysis. Results: No adverse effects were observed with flunixin meglumine administration for all routes. Flunixin meglumine was administered at an actual mean dose of 2.21 mg/kg (range: 2.05-2.48 mg/kg) IV, IM and PO. A mean peak plasma concentration (CMAX) for IM and PO administration was 3748 ng/ml (range: 2749–6004 ng/ml) and 946 ng/ml (range: 554–1593 ng/ml), respectively. TMAX was recorded at 1.00 hour (range: 0.50-2.00 hours) and 0.61 hours (range: 0.17-2.00 hours) after PO and IM administration. Half-life (T ½ λz) for IV, IM and PO administration was 6.29 hours (range: 4.84-8.34 hours), 7.49 hours (range: 5.55-12.98 hours) and 7.08 hours (range: 5.29-9.15 hours) respectively. In comparison, bioavailability (F) for PO administration was 22% (range: 11-44%) compared to IM F at 76% (range: 54-92%). Conclusions: The results of the present study suggest that FM oral administration is not the most effective administration route for mature swine when compared to IV and IM. Lower F and Cmax of PO-FM in comparison to IM-FM suggest that PO-FM is less likely to be an effective therapeutic administration route. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a global pandemic on March 11, 2020, by the World Health Organization. By April 2020, COVID-19 resulted in the simultaneous closure or reduced operations of many processing plants in the upper Midwest, which quickly resulted in supply chain disruptions. Iowa is the leading pork production and processing state, and these disruptions caused producer uncertainty, confusion, and stress, including time-sensitive challenges for maintaining animal care. The Resource Coordination Center (RCC) was quickly created and launched from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. The RCC had strategic collaborations with public representation from the Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Pork Industry Center, and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, and private partners through producers, veterinarians, and technical specialists. The RCC's mission was four-fold: (1) implement appropriate actions to ensure the health and safety of RCC members, stakeholders, and the public, (2) evaluate and reassess appropriate actions as needed for continuity of pork production operations, (3) provide information to pork producers during supply chain disruptions, and (4) maintain a safe and abundant pork supply for consumers. The command structure included Incident Commanders, Command Staff, and four Section Chiefs whom worked with their respective experts. Sections covered (1) operations, (2) planning, (3) logistics, and (4) finance and administration. As it related to animal welfare, the RCC provided information on management decisions, dietary alterations to slow pig growth, pig movement to increase living space, alternative markets, on-farm euthanasia and mass depopulation. Veterinary oversight was continually maintained. A manual was created to provide up-to-date information to inform producer decisions and aid. Although originally created for swine, the RCC also assisted poultry, cattle and sheep producers. In a crisis, Iowa created a model that reacted to producer's pragmatic and emotional needs. This model could be replicated for any emergency by other states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pre-weaning mortality, currently 20% in the United States, continues to rise and has been estimated to cost $400 to $600 million annually. Creep heat accounts for 36% (125 watt heat lamps) of the estimated 685,000 kWh electrical subtotal used in a 3000 sow farm. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of heat source type on production and electrical usage in the farrowing house at the Iowa State University Allen E. Christian Swine Teaching Farm. Seven multiparous crossbred sows housed in farrowing stalls were randomly assigned to a heat source treatment; Baby Pig Heat Mat – Single 48 (Kane Manufacturing, Pleasant Hill, IA; MAT n = 4) or Hog Slat® Poly Heat Lamp Fixture (Hogslat, Newton Grove, NC; LAMP n = 3). LAMP was controlled via a thermostat and varied by height and MAT was controlled via Thermostat Programmable 1 Zone (Kane Manufacturing, Pleasant Hill, IA). Both heat sources were set at 32.2⁰C and this was confirmed using an infrared temperature gun. Kill-A-Watt EZ Meter P4460 were connected to the individual heat source for group lactation duration to measure kilowatt hours (kWh) and were read twice weekly. Piglets were weighed on D1 (farrowing = D0) and at weaning. Production data including pre-weaning mortality and piglet weight at weaning were analyzed using a mixed model with parity, room and covariate of litter birth weight being fixed effects and sow being random. There was no difference in production values, pre-weaning mortality (P > 0.63,MAT=11.11%, LAM P = 11.76%) and piglet weaning weight (P > 0.13, MAT = 5.30 ± 0.18 kg, LAM P = 5.99 ± 0.21 kg), due to heat source type. The MAT (LS Mean 11.59 ± 1.31 kWh) used 4.2 times less electricity than LAMP (LS Mean 57.30 ± 1.56 kWh) (P < 0.05). In conclusion, with no difference in production values heat mats controlled with a programmable thermostat can decrease the high energy needs in the farrowing house. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the grow-finish phase of production some pigs become non-ambulatory and/or die requiring the need to provide caretakers with handling tools to move them safely. The goal of this study was to identify handling tools suitable for moving non-ambulatory grow-finish pig cadavers. Five caretakers on a commercial grow-finish site were asked to move three commercial crossbred (PIC) genetic line pig cadavers (59 kg, 91 kg and 98 kg), using three handling tools (sked - SKED; deer sled - SLED; modified deer sled - MDS). Outcomes included latency to move cadaver from home-pen to hospital pen, differences in caretaker heart rate (bpm) and oxygen saturation (%), and caretakers' subjective effort score (1 = very difficult to 5 = very easy). Data were analyzed using mixed model methods for parametric data with fixed effects of caretaker, cadaver and handling tool. PDIFF was used to separate means. Caretakers differed for latency, heart rate and oxygen saturation difference (P < 0.01). The smallest cadaver was associated with shortest latency (P < 0.01) and least caretaker oxygen saturation difference (P < 0.001). The MDS was associated with shortest latency (P < 0.01), and lower heart rate differences than the SKED (P = 0.01). Oxygen saturation did not differ for handling tool. Interestingly, caretakers scored SKED and SLED as easiest for moving all cadavers. In conclusion, the MDS did not have any restraints, so when moving the cadavers they would slide off, and legs and heads became impeded in the alley gates preventing smooth transition. Therefore, the SKED and SLED would be recommended as practical handling tools to move grow-finish pig cadavers on-farm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lameness poses a welfare challenge for pigs as it is associated with pain. Monitoring changes in behavior is a useful tool for recognizing illnesses in animals, including lameness. Lame sows spend more time lying down compared to non-lame animals, but there is currently no practical way of recording these changes in behavior. The objectives of this study were to determine if scan sampling could detect behavioral changes in sows induced lame, and detect changes in behavior associated with pain mitigation in sows induced lame. Lameness was induced in 12 multiparous, crossbred sows using a chemical synovitis model. Standing, sitting and lying behaviors were evaluated using continuous sampling, as well as 5, 10 and 15 min scans (‘scan sampling’) for 12 h/d (0600-1800) over a 5-day period. Three pain control treatments were evaluated: flunixin meglumine, meloxicam, and sterile saline administered approximately 28 and 52 h after lameness induction. No differences were found in lying and standing behavior in saline treated sows for all sampling methods (P =0.99). Regardless of sampling method, standing time decreased in the days following lameness induction compared to the day before induction (P <0.01). After treatment with flunixin meglumine, sows increased their standing behavior, but this change was only detected using the continuous sampling method (P <0.04). All sampling methods were able to detect standing behavior changes among sows treated with meloxicam (P <0.01). Results suggest that scan samples of 15 min or less are effective in detecting most behavioral deviations in sows treated with meloxicam or not treated at all. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of cracks in the outer hoof wall [CK], length differences between the medial and lateral toe of the hoof [TS], and over-grown toes [OG] on sow lactation performance and behavior. Sows'' hooves were observed and assigned a severity score (1 to 3), or 0 for control sows. Lactation sow performance from 223 litters was collected over 2 experiments. Sow behavior was measured in experiment 1 and was scored continuously for 45min prior to and 1h post feeding (n=150). The ethogram contained 4 postures and a maximum of 4 behaviors within each posture. Performance and behavior data were analyzed using a multiple linear regression. All sows began the experiment with similar litter weights (P >0.15) and number of piglets/litter (P >0.15). A significant, negative partial regression coefficient was observed for piglets weaned/litter for sows in the CK and TS groups (P <0.05). A trend (P =0.10) was observed for the association of sows in the CK group to wean −0.21 fewer piglets/litter than control sows. An increase in OG lesion severity score was associated with lighter adjusted litter wean weights compared to control sows. Sows in the control group spent 18.9% standing and 12.7% of the total time standing and eating. The amount of time spent standing and eating before feed presentation was negatively associated with time spent eating after feeding (b =−0.24, P <0.01); that is, each percent increase in time spent eating prior to feeding was associated with a 79% decrease in time spent standing and eating post feeding. Sows in the OG group spent 50% less time kneeling for each incremental increase in OG lesion score. Post feeding, each OG lesion score increase was associated with a 40% decrease in time spent standing and eating. Results from this study demonstrate that foot lesions can impair productivity and behavior of lactating sows. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]