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The objective of this study was to identify the degree of adoption of different production factors in commercial pig breeding farms in Brazil. Data were collected from 150 farms, totaling 135,168 sows, including general information, labor, genetics, biosecurity, facilities, management, feeding and productive performance for the year 2015. The farms were located in the South (42%), Southeast (45.3%) and Midwest (12.7%) of Brazil. The amplitude of the herds varied between 100 and 6,360 productive sows, with an average of 901. Their predominant profile was independent production with hired labor, an average of 88 sows per employee, facilities with more than 15 years and no reform in the last decade, and located less than 5 km from other units. Animal replacement was performed mainly by purchase and without adoption of a quarantine period. Predominated farms housed the sows in crates in the pre-mating period and in pens or crates/pens during gestation. Both solid and slatted floors were used in these phases, predominantly using concrete as material; the use of slatted floors (either concrete, metal, or plastic) predominated in the farrowing facilities. Gutter-type feeders that also operated as water drinkers were predominant in the pre-mating and gestation periods; in farrowing facilities wet-dry feeders were widespread. Two-thirds of the farms did not have a cooling system in farrowing facilities. For the piglets, the heating system above the animal (lamps and bell rings) prevailed to the detriment of heat floors. More than 60% of farms make their own feed and feed gestating sows once a day. Only 29.33% of the farms perform echography for diagnosis of gestation. Birth attendance was routine; however, one-third of the farms did not have attendance through the night. Batch weaning was practiced by 15.44% of the farms. More than half of the farms reported that they did not intervene in the colostrum supply of piglets born weak or small, but 95.33% piglets were transferred among litters considering their size and quantity. Teeth resection, tail docking, and surgical castration procedures were routine. The performance indexes were consistent with what is perceived by national surveys. Com este estudo objetivou-se identificar o grau de adoção de diferentes fatores de produção em granjas comerciais de reprodução de suínos no Brasil. Foram coletadas informações de 150 granjas, totalizando 135.168 matrizes, incluindo informações gerais, mão de obra, genética, biosseguridade, instalações, manejo, alimentação e rendimentos produtivos referentes ao ano 2015. As granjas estavam localizadas nas regiões Sul (42%), Sudeste (45,3%) e Centro-Oeste (12,7%) do Brasil. Os rebanhos variaram entre 100 e 6.360 matrizes produtivas, com média de 901. Seu perfil predominante era de produção independente, com mão de obra contratada, e média de 88 matrizes por funcionário. Predominaram instalações com mais de 15 anos e sem reforma na última década, localizadas a menos de 5 km de outras unidades. A reposição de animais era realizada principalmente por compra e sem adoção de período de quarentena. Predominaram granjas que alojavam matrizes em celas no período pré-gestação e em baias ou celas/baias durante a gestação. Tanto pisos sólidos como ripados eram utilizados nessas fases, predominantemente de concreto; na maternidade predominou o uso de pisos ripados, seja de concreto, metal ou plástico. Comedouros tipo calha, que também operam como bebedouros, eram os mais utilizados na pré-gestação e gestação; na maternidade comedouros com água incorporada eram bastante difundidos. Dois terços das granjas não possuía sistema de refrigeração na maternidade. Para os leitões, prevaleceu o sistema de aquecimento acima do animal (lâmpadas e campânulas) em detrimento a pisos aquecidos. Mais de 60% das granjas fabricava sua própria ração e fornecia alimento uma única vez ao dia para matrizes gestantes. Apenas 29,9% das granjas utilizava ecógrafo para diagnóstico de gestação. O manejo de acompanhamento dos partos era rotina, contudo, um terço das granjas não observava partos durante a noite. O desmame em bandas era praticado por 15,44% das granjas. Mais da metade das granjas relatou não fazer qualquer intervenção na colostragem de leitões nascidos fracos ou pequenos, porém, 95,33% praticava a transferência de leitões entre leitegadas considerando seu tamanho e quantidade de nascidos vivos. Manejos de aparagem de dentes, caudectomia e castração cirúrgica eram rotina. Os índices zootécnicos dos rebanhos avaliados condizem com o que é percebido por levantamentos nacionais.

To understand the production factors that affect conclusive parameters of sow herd performance can improve the use of the resources and profitability of farm. The objective of this study was to identify associations and quantify the effects of a set of factors related to piglet weight at weaning (PWW), kilograms of piglets weaned per sow per year (kgPWSY) and sow feed conversion (SFC). Data from 150 farms were collected, for a total study population of 135 168 sows, including gilt replacement, breeding (mating), gestation and farrowing/lactation phases. A questionnaire focusing on reproductive performance, management, facilities, feeding, health and biosafety was administered. Multiple linear regression models were used to assess associations among factors with each of the three dependent variables. Increased duration of lactation was positively associated with PWW, kgPWSY and SFC. The increase in the number of live born pigs per litter was positively associated with kgPWSY and with SFC. Farms with higher PWW had farrowing room humidifiers, did not surgically castrate male piglets and used quaternary ammonia compounds for farrowing room disinfection. Farms with higher kgPWSY used lined ceilings in farrowing rooms and winter feeds with higher CP percentages in gestation; they also had more farrowings per sow per year. Sow feed conversion was worse in farms with partly slatted floors during gestation, in farms feeding lactating sows six times a day or ad libitum and farms with a higher sow-handler ratio. This study indicates that farms can increase PWW and kgPWSY and improve the SFC by changing one or more management, biosafety and feeding practices or facilities as well as by focusing on improving several performance parameters, particularly increasing the duration of lactation and the number of live born pigs per litter.

The aim of the study was to monitor the evolution of welfare indicators of pigs throughout growing and finishing phases housed in a deep bedding system by principles of good health and housing. In all, 16,500 animals, distributed in 15 facilities, were evaluated over a 4-month period. Three assessments were carried out in each facility by a single evaluator, according to the following time distribution: phase one (75 to 85 days old), phase two (86 to 161 days old), and phase three (162 to 180 days old). Only the parameters related to good health and good housing were considered. Data were analyzed by logistic regression for longitudinal data. Poisson distribution was used on the coughing and sneezing data, with subsequent chi-square analysis. There were no cases of poor body condition, shivering, panting, huddling, tail biting, pumping, twisted snout, rectal prolapse, lameness, and skin conditions. The final evaluations were associated with greater chances of hernia and bursitis, with greater prevalence in males than in females. The prevalence of wound and manure on the body parameters was influenced by the interaction of the evaluation and animal category. The incidence of coughing and the number of animals presenting this symptom gradually increased, becoming considerably higher in the final stage of evaluation. Health-related problems change throughout the production cycle. The evaluation of a broad and reliable view on animal welfare allows for the most appropriate management of production systems using deep bedding.

Aim of study: To evaluate the effects of stocking density and the use of environmental enrichment (EE) objects on the welfare and the performance of pigs in the growing and finishing phases.Area of study: The southern region of Brazil.Material and methods: A total of 240 pigs, 120 immunocastrated males and 120 females, with an initial weight of 22.38 ± 2.38 kg and mean age of 65 days, were submitted to two stocking densities conditions (0.85 and 1.28 m²pig) with and without EE for 117 days. The experimental design was a 2×2×2 factorial (two categories, two densities, and two EE conditions), with six replicates. Performance variables and behavior were evaluated.Main results: For stocking density, there was a significant difference in the finishing phase from 148 to 161 days of age for the final weight (FW), average daily weight gain (ADWG), and feed conversion rate (FCR). For the EE factor, there was no difference in any of the phases or in the overall period. In the overall period, the higher availability of space improved the results of FW (140.56 kg vs 136.63 kg), ADWG (1.005 kg vs 0.974 kg), and FCR (2.05 vs 2.10). There was no effect of EE, stocking densities, or their interaction on the frequency of different behaviors of the pigs in the growth and finishing phases.Research highlights: There was no effect of interactions between enriched environments, stocking densities, and sex for animal performance and behavioral frequencies; however, differences between the factors were observed separately. The higher availability of space improved the results of FW, ADWG, and FCR.

A suinocultura industrial contemporânea, embora esteja em constante evolução, ainda é bastante heterogênea. Há ainda ampla variabilidade entre as unidades de produção no que diz respeito à genética dos reprodutores, sobretudo das matrizes, aos cuidados com os leitões recém-nascidos, às instalações que favorecem o conforto térmico, à composição das dietas e às ações relacionadas à desinfecção do ambiente. Estas e outras variáveis podem melhorar ou piorar, de forma direta ou indireta, um ou mais índices de desempenho. As avalições que tratam da questão sob uma visão holística, ou seja, com a participação simultânea de fatores de várias classes (i.e. instalações, manejo, alimentação, etc.) sobre os índices reprodutivos são raras. Perante as hipóteses de que existem muitos fatores que podem afetar a produtividade de matrizes suínas, e de que o efeito desses fatores pode variar em virtude do índice zootécnico estudado, buscamos com a presente proposta identificar e quantificar a importância dos vários fatores de produção inerentes a diferentes fases reprodutivas (reposição, pré-gestação, gestação e lactação) sobre alguns dos principais índices relacionados à prolificidade e ao ritmo reprodutivo de matrizes suínas. Essa proposta gerou dois estudos concebidos com metodologia similar. Para ambos, dados de 150 granjas foram coletados, totalizando uma população de 135.168 matrizes. Um questionário (disponibilizado no Apêndice A) foi aplicado, com foco no desempenho reprodutivo, manejo, instalações, alimentação, saúde e biosseguridade. Modelos de regressão linear múltipla foram utilizados para avaliar associações entre os fatores com cada uma das variáveis de interesse. No primeiro trabalho focamos em variáveis inerentes à prolificidade das matrizes no ano 2015: peso do leitão ao desmame (PLD), quilogramas de leitões desmamados por matriz por ano (kgLDMA), e conversão alimentar da matriz (CAM). Fatores de todas as classes foram associados a alguma das variáveis de interesse. Dentre os resultados, não castrar cirurgicamente leitões machos e utilizar desinfetantes a base de amônia quaternária na maternidade foram fatores associados a maior PLD; a presença de forro nas instalações de maternidade e porcentagens mais altas de proteína bruta na dieta de matrizes gestantes foram associados a mais kgLDMA; e o aumento da duração da lactação e mais leitões nascidos vivos por parto foram associados a melhor CAM. No segundo trabalho focamos em variáveis inerentes ao ritmo reprodutivo das matrizes nos anos 2014 e 2015: dias não produtivos (DNP) e taxa de parição (TP). Similarmente ao primeiro trabalho, fatores de diversas classes foram associados a alguma das variáveis de interesse. Dentre os resultados, menos leitões natimortos e abortos, e redução da idade ao primeiro parto, foram fatores associados a menos DNP; e dietas líquidas/sopa para matrizes gestantes, comedouros modelo wet-dry para matrizes lactantes, e a pratica de manejo all-in all-out nas salas de maternidade foram associados à melhora da TP. Este conjunto de resultados indica que as granjas podem aumentar PLD, kgLDMA e TP, reduzir DNP, e melhorar CAM, alterando uma ou mais práticas de manejo, biosseguridade, instalações e alimentação, bem como concentrando-se em melhorar alguns parâmetros de desempenho. Contemporary industrial pig farming, although it is constantly improving, is still quite heterogeneous. There is still a lot of variability between the farms with regard to the genetics of the breeders, especially for sows, the care of newborn piglets, the facilities that favor thermal comfort, the composition of diets and actions related to the environment disinfection. These and other variables can improve or worse, directly or indirectly, one or more performance indexes. Evaluations that address the issue under a holistic view, that is, with the simultaneous participation of factors of various classes (i.e. facilities, management, feeding, etc.) on reproductive performance are rare. In view of the hypotheses that there are many factors that can affect the productivity of sows, and that the effect of these factors may vary due to the farm record studied, we seek with this proposal to identify and to quantify the importance of several production factors, inherent to different reproductive phases (replacement, pre-pregnancy, gestation and lactation), on some of the main indexes related to the prolificacy and reproductive rhythm of sows. This proposal generated two studies designed with a similar methodology. For both, data from 150 farms were collected, totaling a population of 135,168 sows. A questionnaire (available in Appendix A) was applied, focusing on reproductive performance, management, facilities, feeding, health and biosecurity. Multiple linear regression models were used to assess associations between factors with each of the variables of interest. In the first study, using data from the year 2015, we focused on variables inherent to the prolificacy of the sows: piglet weight at weaning (PWW), kilograms of piglets weaned per sow per year (kgPWSY) and sow feed conversion (SFC). Factors from all classes were associated with some of the variables of interest. Farms that did not surgically castrate male piglets and used disinfectants based on quaternary ammonia in the farrowing barns were associated with greater PWW; the presence of lining ceiling in the farrowing barns and higher percentages of crude protein in the diet of gestating sows were associated with more kgPWSY; and increased lactation duration and more piglets born alive by farrowing were associated with better SFC. In the second study, using data from the years 2014 and 2015, we focused on variables inherent to the reproductive rhythm of the sows: non-productive days (NPD) and farrowing rate (FR). Factors from different classes were associated with some of the variables of interest. Decrease in stillbirths, abortions, and age at first farrowing were factors associated with lower DNP; and liquid/soup diets for gestating sows, wet-dry feeders for lactating sows, and the all-in all-out management in the farrowing rooms were associated with highest FR. The farms can increase PWW, kgPWSY and FR, reduce NPD, and improve SFC, modifying one or more management, biosecurity, facilities and feeding practices, as well as focusing on improving some farm records.

The aim of this study was to evaluate two feed additives, one based on encapsulated sodium butyrate (Adimix® Precision) (AD) and the other, a phytogenic (Apex® 5) (AX), associated or not with an antimicrobial growth promoter (tylosin) during the growth and finishing phases on performance, carcass characteristics and health conditions. A total of 300 barrows and females were distributed in six treatments in a randomized block design with ten replicates. The treatments consisted of a negative control (NC), positive control (PC) (tylosin), AD (encapsulated sodium butyrate), AX (phytogenic), PC+AD (tylosin+encapsulated sodium butyrate), and PC+AX (tylosin+phytogenic). The performance (live weight, daily feed intake, average daily gain and feed conversion) and carcass data (carcass weight, backfat thickness, loin depth, lean meat on the carcass) were submitted to ANOVA plus Tukey’s test, and the health conditions (occurrence of diseases, culling, and spontaneous deaths) were analyzed by χ2. Animals of the AD group had the highest average daily gain (ADG) over the evaluation period and the highest live weight at 120, 140, and 164 days of age, in addition to the highest carcass weight compared to NC and PC groups. The AX treatment increased the ADG in growth phase II and the live weight at 120 and 140 days of age in relation to the NC. The PC+AX group had a higher final live weight compared to the NC and PC groups and higher carcass weight in relation to the NC group. There was no difference among treatments for backfat thickness, percentage of lean meat in the carcass, or occurrence of diseases and deaths. The inclusion of encapsulated sodium butyrate (AD treatment) was effective in increasing ADG, final live weight, and carcass weight compared to supplementation with tylosin (PC treatment), as was the inclusion of a phytogenic (AX treatment) on FC compared to the PC. RESUMO: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar dois aditivos alimentares, um a base de butirato de sódio encapsulado (Adimix® Precision) (AD) e outro a base de um fitogênico (Apex® 5) (AX), associados ou não a um antibiótico promotor de crescimento (tilosina), durante as fases de crescimento e terminação, sobre o desempenho, características da carcaça e status de saúde. Foram utilizados 300 suínos machos castrados e fêmeas distribuídos em seis tratamentos em um delineamento em blocos casualizados com dez repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram em um controle negativo (CN), controle positivo (CP) (tilosina), AD (butirato de sódio encapsulado), AX (fitogênico), CP+AD (tilosina+butirato de sódio encapsulado) e CP+AX (tilosina+fitogênico). Os dados de desempenho (peso vivo, consumo diário de ração, ganho de peso médio diário e conversão alimentar) e de carcaça (peso de carcaça, espessura de toucinho, profundidade do lombo e carne magra na carcaça) foram submetidos à ANOVA seguido por teste de Tukey, e os dados de condição de saúde (ocorrência de doenças, animais eutanasiados e mortos espontaneamente) foram analisados pelo teste de χ2. Os animais do grupo AD apresentaram maior ganho de peso diário (GPD) durante o período de avaliação e maior peso vivo aos 120, 140 e 164 dias de idade, além de maior peso de carcaça em comparação aos grupos CN e CP. O tratamento AX aumentou o GPD na fase crescimento II e o peso vivo aos 120 e 140 dias de idade em relação ao CN. O grupo CP+AX apresentou maior peso final em relação aos grupos CN e CP e maior peso de carcaça em relação ao CN. Não houve diferença entre os tratamentos para espessura de toucinho, porcentagem de carne magra na carcaça e ocorrência de doenças e óbitos. A inclusão de butirato de sódio encapsulado (tratamento AD) foi efetiva no aumento de GPD, peso final e peso de carcaça em comparação à suplementação com tilosina (tratamento CP), assim como a inclusão fitogênico (tratamento AX) melhorou a conversão alimentar em comparação ao grupo CP.

This study was to evaluate the effect of xylanase supplementation and the addition of live yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, on growth performance and intestinal microbiota in piglets. One hundred and eighty commercial crossbred 23-d-old piglets (PIC 417) were sorted by initial BW and allocated to 3 treatments: control (CTR) diet, CTR diet supplemented with xylanase at 16,000 birch xylan units/kg (XYL) and XYL diet supplemented with live yeast (2 × 10 10 CFU/g) at 1 kg/t (XYL + LY). Each treatment had 10 replicates, with 6 animals each. A sorghum-based diet and water were available ad libitum for 42 d of the study. Average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) were measured from 0 to 42 d (23- to 65-d-old) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) calculated. At the end of the study, bacterial identification through 16S rRNA (V3 to V4) sequencing of the ileal and caecal digesta from one piglet per replicate was performed. No treatment effects were observed on ADFI. Pigs offered the live yeast in addition to the xylanase had increased ADG compared with those supplemented with xylanase alone (XYL + LY vs. XYL; P = 0.655). FCR was improved with XYL and XYL + LY compared with CTR (P = 0.018). Clostridiaceae counts in the ileum tended to reduce by 10% with XYL and 14% with XYL + LY compared to CTR (P = 0.07). XYL and XYL + LY increased the counts of Lactobacillaceae in the caecum compared with CTR (P < 0.0001). Dietary supplementation of live yeast combined with xylanase improved growth performance and microbial balance of piglets during the nursery phase.

Objetivou-se neste estudo identificar e quantificar, atraves de modelos matematicos, os fatores de producao presentes em unidades de crescimento e terminacao (CT) de suinos que influenciam os parâmetros consumo diario de racao (CDR) e conversao alimentar (CA). Foram avaliados o historico produtivo de 65 granjas de CT entre os anos de 2010 e 2013, vinculadas a um sistema cooperativo localizado na regiao oeste do Estado do Parana, Brasil, representando 463 lotes com media de 642,79 ± 363,29 animais por lote, totalizando aproximadamente 300.000 animais. Foram considerados 40 fatores de producao relacionados ao manejo, sanidade, instalacoes e equipamentos, nutricao, genetica e ambiente. Observou-se que o CDR foi influenciado pela posicao dos barracoes em relacao ao sol (P = 0,048), pelo peso de entrada (P < 0,0001) e de saida (P < 0,0001). Para a variavel CA a posicao dos barracoes em relacao ao sol (P = 0,0001), o uso de umidificadores/nebulizadores (P = 0,03), a presenca de composteira (P = 0,006) e de arvores nas laterais dos barracoes (P = 0,045), o peso de entrada (P < 0,0001) e a duracao da fase de CT (P < 0,0001) influenciaram o parâmetro. As variaveis selecionadas nos modelos explicaram aproximadamente 44 e 20% da variância total do CDR e CA, respectivamente, sendo este recurso uma boa ferramenta para interpretar os fatores relacionados com os parâmetros avaliados.

With still limited information on vitamin requirements and considering that many commercial practices adopt dietary vitamin levels above the values suggested by nutritional tables, this study aimed to assess the effect of administering vitamin supplementation to sows in gestation and lactation and to their litters on the reproductive performance and body condition of the sows and on the performance and immune profile of the litters until slaughter. The trial was split into two phases. The first phase used 104 sows, assigned to be randomized to blocks according to parity, submitted until 21 days of lactation to two treatments: control–standard (standard levels of vitamins) and test–elevated (elevated levels of vitamins). Each sow and its respective farrow were considered an experimental unit. The sows underwent evaluations of body condition score, back fat thickness and reproductive performance. In the second phase, 60 barrows and 60 gilts at 21 days of age and mean initial weight of 5.33 ± 1.5 kg until slaughter at 164 days of age. The piglets were assigned to randomized blocks according to the weight and sex of the animals in a 2 × 2 factorial model, with 10 replicates per treatment, where a pen with three animals represented the experimental unit. Following the same treatments of the first phase, the piglets were evaluated for daily weight gain, daily feed intake, feed conversion, mortality rate and humoral immune response. Vitamin supplementation had no positive effects on the reproductive parameters or body composition of sows. However, it positively impacted the performance of the litters in the early nursery stage, but did not lead to superior effects on the immune responses to vaccination against circovirus or mycoplasma.

Non-productive days (NPD) and farrowing rate (FR) are indicators related to the number of piglets weaned per sow per year. Identifying the factors that affect these two indicators can improve the productivity and profitability of pig production. The objective of this study was to identify and quantify the associations of some factors related to the performance, management, facilities, feeding, health, and biosafety on NPD and FR over two consecutive years, using an inquiry applied to commercial pig farms in Brazil. Data from 150 farms were collected for a total study population of 135 168 sows, including gilt replacement, breeding (mating), gestation and farrowing/lactation phases. A questionnaire focusing on reproductive performance (for the years 2014 and 2015), management, facilities, feeding, health, and biosafety was administered. Multiple regression models were used to assess associations (α = 0.05) between factors and NPD and FR. An increased abortion index was associated with higher NPD (2014) and reduced FR (2014 and 2015); an increase in stillbirths was associated with higher NPD (2014 and 2015), and increased sow mortality was associated with a reduction in FR (2014 and 2015). In addition, farms had lower NPD in 2014, as the sows were younger at first farrowing, and when they had no lined ceiling in the gestation barns. Farms had lower NPD in 2015 when gilts were mated with an average weight of ≤139 kg compared to farms that mated gilts with an average weight >139 kg. Farrowing rate in 2014 was better in farms that fed pregnant sows with liquid/soup diets rather than mash or pelleted diets. Farms with higher FR in 2015 had wet-dry feeders in the farrowing barns rather than separate feeders and drinkers; they also practiced all-in/all-out management in farrowing rooms rather than continuous management. Several factors affect NPD and FR, but in general these factors do not remain the same over the years. Particular attention should be given to reducing abortions, stillborn piglets and the mortality of sows.

Context Understanding the welfare indicators that affect animal performance can facilitate modifications that improve both animal welfare and profitability. Aims A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of animal welfare indicators and quantify their possible associations with feed conversion ratio (FCR) and daily feed intake (DFI) of growing-finishing pigs (Sus scrofa). Methods Data from 46 farms were collected. The herds ranged from 360 to 2500 pigs, which were aged between 75 and 173 days, and were managed on an all-in all-out basis. The welfare indicators were evaluated once on each farm using the methodology of the Welfare Quality® assessment protocol for pigs. Multiple linear mixed models were used to assess the associations of welfare with FCR and DFI according to the production stage at which the pigs were evaluated on the farm. Key results The welfare indicators with the highest average prevalence were frequency of coughing (35.7%), moderate bursitis (31.1%), and moderate and severe soiling with manure (18.8 and 27.7% respectively). Most of the remaining indicators related to poor welfare had prevalence values of less than 1%. The mean prevalence of positive social behaviour (such as sniffing/nosing/licking) was 14.4% and that of negative social behaviour (NSB; such as aggressive interactions) was 3.1%. The average space allowance (measured in 460 pens) was 1.04 ± 0.13 m2/pig (ranging from 0.78 to 1.36 m2/pig). Better FCRs were associated with a low prevalence of NSB (P < 0.05), a low prevalence of coughing (P < 0.01), absence of lameness problems (P < 0.001), and small space allowances (P < 0.05). Lower DFI values were associated with a low prevalence of NSB (P < 0.05), a high prevalence of moderate hernias (P < 0.01), a low prevalence of other active behaviours (such as eating and drinking) (P < 0.001), and a high prevalence of animals with wounds on the body (P < 0.05). Conclusions Few indicators related to the impairment of welfare were detected with a high prevalence, and the results suggest that the conditions related to poor welfare were associated with an impairment in animal performance. Implications The results of this study can provide the industry with comparative information to promote improvements in pig welfare. Some welfare indicators could be used on farm as predictors of performance variables; however, these indicators need validation.

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar e quantificar os fatores de produção presentes em granjas de crescimento e terminação (CT) de suínos, em um sistema cooperativo do estado do Paraná, Brasil, e determinar a influência desses fatores no consumo diário de ração (CDR) e na conversão alimentar (CA). Foram avaliados, entre os anos de 2010 e 2013, os históricos produtivos de 538 lotes de engorda, alojados em 175 granjas comerciais, totalizando aproximadamente 404.000 animais. Foram considerados 40 fatores de produção, relacionados ao manejo, à sanidade, às instalações e aos equipamentos, à nutrição, à genética e ao ambiente. Em baias com menos de 20 suínos, o CDR diminuiu (P

The objective of this study was to describe the housing system in the hospital pens on growing and finishing (GF) pig farms. This work was developed by using a questionnaire and was conducted between January and April, 2016. Forty-four GF commercial farms (a total of 41,111 animals) were involved, seeking to raise issues concerning the facilities of the hospital pens, environment, management, feeding and the reasons for transferring the animals to these accommodations. About 98% of the evaluated farms had, at least, one hospital pen. Most of these farms presented a percentage of animals evaluated (PAE) in the infirmary, of less than 1.5% of the total capacity of the animal housing on the farm. In 93.48% of the farms, the criterion used to transfer the animals to the infirmaries was when they were identified as “impaired, hurt, suffering”. In 47.83% of the cases, there were no differences between the hospital and common pens regarding the general management of the animals. The facilities and environment characteristics were similar in almost all hospital pens. Respiratory problems were the main reason for transferring pigs from the common to hospital pens. Under the conditions of this study, sufficient hospital pens exist on farms and overcrowding or competition for resources among pigs are avoided. However, there is no established standard among respondents about where to place the recovered animals.

The objective of this study was to identify and quantify, through mathematical models, the main factors of production in growing and finishing pig units linked to three Brazilian cooperatives located in Western Region of Paraná State that influence the parameters of daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio. The records of 216 growing and finishing farms from 2010 to 2013, representing 1,533 batches, and totaling approximately 1,025,000 pigs, were evaluated. Thirty production factors related to the management, health, installations and equipment, nutrition, genetics, and environment were considered. The number of pigs per pen, the feeder model, the origin and sex of the animals, and the initial and final body weights were the factors included in the final models for both dependent variables (daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio) and had a significant impact on these ratios. Approximately, 41 and 55% of the total variance found for daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio, respectively, were explained by the variables included in the final models. Mathematical models could serve as important tools to aid the decision-making in pig production systems.

Uma queda na produção, como a diminuição do ganho de peso diário, indica comprometimento do bem-estar animal, no entanto, alto desempenho nem sempre implica em adequado bem-estar. Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o efeito de fatores inerentes ao bem-estar sobre parâmetros de desempenho e mortalidade de suínos em granjas de crescimento e terminação. Paralelamente, as baias hospital dessas unidades foram caracterizadas com respeito ao manejo, estrutura e perfil dos animais nelas mantidos. O protocolo Welfare Quality®, para avaliação do bem-estar de suínos, foi aplicado entre os meses de janeiro e abril de 2016 em 46 granjas de crescimento e terminação (um lote por granja) vinculadas à quatro cooperativas localizadas no oeste do estado do Paraná, representando um rebanho de aproximadadmente 40.100 animais. A prevalência de 22 medidas do protocolo foi verificada e o efeito desses fatores sobre a conversão alimentar, consumo de ração, ganho de peso diário e mortalidade foi avaliado. Verificou-se que os principais fatores relacionados a um bem-estar inadequado nessas unidades foram a bursite sob grau moderado, fezes no corpo sob grau severo e frequência de tosses. A conversão alimentar sofreu influência do espaço total na baia por animal. O consumo de ração foi afetado pelos fatores comportamento social positivo e fezes no corpo sob grau moderado. A mortalidade foi influênciada pelos fatores comportamento social negativo e fezes no corpo de forma moderada. Devido à baixa prevalência e variabilidade dos fatores de bem-estar nas granjas analisadas, muitos deles não foram incluidos nas análises de regressão linear, no entanto, foi possível verificar que fatores inerentes ao bem-estar afetam o desempenho e mortalidade dos animais. A caracterização das baias hospital foi realizada por meio da aplicação de um questionário face-a-face em 46 granjas, sendo uma destas granjas distinta da avaliação anterior, totalizando cerca de 41.054 animais. Foram identificadas 150 baias hospital sendo que em 97 delas havia ao menos um animal alojado, totalizando 299 animais mantidos nestas instalações. Menos de 1,5% da capacidade total de animais nestas granjas estavam alojados nas baias hospital. Em 47,83% das granjas o manejo geral nas baias hospital era o mesmo realizado nas baias comuns. As características das instalações e do ambiente foram similares na maioria das baias hospital. Problemas respiratórios foram os mais relatados como razões de transferência dos animais para as baias hospital. As granjas avaliadas possuem baias hospital em quantidade suficiente, no entanto não houve um padrão entre os respondentes sobre onde alojar os animais recuperados. A decrease in production, such as a decrease in daily weight gain, indicates impairment of animal welfare, however, high performance does not always imply adequate welfare. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of inherent factors of welfare on parameters of performance and mortality of pigs on growing and finishing farms. In parallel, the hospital pens of these units were characterized regarding to the management, structure and profile of the animals kept in them. The Welfare Quality® - welfare assessment protocol - was applied between January and April 2016 in 46 growing and finishing farms (one batch per farm) linked to four cooperatives located in the Western Region of the Paraná State, representing a herd of approximately 40,100 animals. The prevalence of 22 measures of the protocol was verified and the effect of these factors on feed conversion ratio, feed intake, daily weight gain and mortality was assessed. The main factors related to poor welfare in these units were moderate bursitis, manure on the body under severe degree and frequency of coughs. The feed conversion ratio was influenced by the total space in the pen per animal. The feed intake was affected by positive social behavior and manure on the body under moderate degree. Mortality was influenced by negative social behavior and manure on the body under moderate degree. Due to the low prevalence and variability of welfare factors in the assessed farms, many of them were not included in linear regression analysis, however, it was possible to verify that factors related to welfare affect the performance and mortality of the animals. The characterization of the hospital pens was developed through the face-to-face questionnaire on the 46 farms, one of these farms being distinct from the previous evaluation, totaling about 41,054 animals. One hundred fifty hospital pens were identified and 97 of them had at least one animal housed, totaling 299 animals kept in these acommodations. Less than 1.5% of the total capacity of animals housing on these farms were in hospital pens. In 47.83% of the farms, there were no differences between the hospital and common pens regarding the general management. The environmental and facilities characteristics were similar in most hospital pens. Respiratory problems were the main reason for transferring pigs from the common to hospital pens. The assessed farms have hospital pens in sufficient amount, however there is no pattern among the respondents about where to house the recovered animals.

This study aimed to assess the combined effect of L-carnitine, chromium propionate, and organic selenium in the diet of pigs at the finishing stage in commercial farms on performance parameters. The sample included 5,456 female and castrated male DB pigs with mean age of 159 days and mean initial weight of 103.33 ± 4.11 kg. The pigs were split into two treatments in a completely randomized design: the control group, free of growth-promoting dietary additives, and the test group, supplemented with Profitilina® (50 mg L-carnitine, 0.2 mg chromium propionate, and 0.3 mg organic selenium kg-1 of feed) for 30 days prior to slaughter. The outcomes assessed were daily weight gain (DWG), daily feed intake (DFI), feed conversion (FC), and final body weight (FBW). An improved performance according to all parameters (P < 0.001) was seen for the test group (2.58 versus 2.64 g day-1 for DFI; 0.76 versus 0.87g day-1 for DWG; 3.42 versus 3.06 for FC; and 125.7 versus 127.7 kg for FBW). Providing a combined dietary supplementation with L-carnitine, chromium propionate, and organic selenium to finishing pigs was effective at improving weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion, and final weight.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of increasing doses of bacterial phytase (RONOZYME HiPhos) on performance and carcass characteristics of growing and finishing pigs. The study included 120 castrated males with initial weight of 23.21 ± 1.91 kg and 68 days of age, distributed in a randomized block design with five treatments and eight replicates with three animals each. The pigs were fed five corn-soybean meal-based diets: positive control (PC), supplemented with inorganic phosphorus and calcium; negative control (NC), with 0.13% reduction in available phosphorus and 0.11% in calcium; and three NC diets supplemented with 1,000, 2,000, and 3,000 phytase units (FYT)/kg in the feed. Compared with the NC diets without phytase, diets with 1,000, 2,000, and 3,000 FYT/kg inclusion increased the daily weight gain by +12% (quadratic, p

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar e quantificar, por meio de modelos de regressão linear múltipla, os fatores de produção que afetam o consumo diário de ração e a conversão alimentar de suínos nas fases de crescimento e terminação, em granjas integradas a uma cooperativa. Foram avaliados os históricos produtivos de 690 lotes, que representavam aproximadamente 363 mil animais alojados entre 2010 e 2013 em 118 granjas vinculadas a uma cooperativa do Estado do Paraná. Foram considerados 44 fatores de produção relacionados a instalações, manejo, sanidade, genética e alimentação. O consumo diário de ração (CDR) foi menor nos lotes oriundos de granjas com árvores nas laterais dos galpões e naqueles formados apenas por fêmeas. Já a conversão alimentar (CA) foi melhor para os lotes provenientes de granjas com árvores nas laterais dos galpões, alojados no verão/outono, oriundos de granjas edificadas em alvenaria e que apresentavam composteira e unidades especializadas produtoras de leitões. Os pesos de entrada e de saída dos lotes influenciaram o CDR, e o peso de entrada e a duração do período de engorda, a CA. Os modelos de regressão linear múltipla possibilitam identificar variáveis de importância e estimar seus efeitos sobre a conversão alimentar e o consumo diário de ração de suínos nas fases de crescimento e terminação.

A suinocultura industrial brasileira é representativa em nível mundial, detendo uma produção de qualidade reconhecida e competitiva, na qual a classifica como quarta maior exportadora, contribuindo expressivamente com o PIB do país. Por sua vez, o tema bem-estar animal (BEA), que já se encontra bem estabelecido em importantes países produtores de suínos, vem ganhando notoriedade nesta cadeia, com consumidores, investidores e empresas alimentícias pressionando a indústria brasileira para incrementar estas práticas. Baseado em informações da literatura científica, atos administrativos, materiais técnicos e comunicados produzidos pelo setor privado, esta revisão apresenta o cenário brasileiro do bem-estar dos suínos, incluindo informações sobre a avaliação científica do BEA, como empresas e consumidores percebem o tema, os atos administrativos e demais iniciativas oficiais, a situação da transição do sistema de gestação em celas para o modelo coletivo e algumas das contribuições da pesquisa nacional. O cenário do bem-estar dos suínos no país é desafiador, mas há uma mobilização e esforços significativos de toda a cadeia, envolvendo a iniciativa pública e privada, já com resultados efetivos e práticos, sinalizando que embora o caminho seja laborioso o país avança verticalmente nesta questão.