milk and life
Mammary glands will use about 50% of the total glucose entering circulation
Fatty acids are derived from plasma triglycerides
Essential and non-essential amino acids for milk protein are derived from corresponding free amino acids in the plasma
Whats the difference between voluntary culling and involuntary culling
Voluntary - management decision to remove a female from the breeding herd
Involuntary - repro failure, lactation failure, insufficient number of piglets at weaning, locomotion problems
What is pork quality based on
Primarily based on fat and meat colour, and intramuscular fat amounts
What are the numbers for canadian swine production
22m slaughtered
6.75m exported
third largest exporter
exports represent 60-70% of production
What are the five phases identified in the sequence of nursing behaviours
Jostling for teats
Nosing of the mammary glands
quiet suckling
rapid suckling
slow suckling
What are the main reasons for culling
Locomotion and reproduction
What is the difference between PSE, RFN and DFD
PSE - pale pinkish gray, very soft and exudative
RFN - reddish pink, firm and non-exudative
DFD - dark purplish red, very firm and dry
What is the percentage increase of costs compared to 2020
Feed cost +15.2%
total costs +12.6%
Hog price +22%
What is a sows longevity
Length of a sows productive lifetime
the ability of a commercial sow to remain healthy and productive in the herd for a long duration
What are the economic losses associated with replacement gilts
Cost of replacement gilt
isolation
feeding
vet care
vaccination
housing
What factors affect pork quality
Interaction between farm, transport, and lairage on meat quality
Stress prior to slaughter - alters chemical properties and we want a pH of 5.6-5.7 within 3-5 hours post slaughter
What does a destron probe do
Measures lean fat
- left side at a point 7cm lateral to the centre of the spine between the 3rd and 4th last ribs
what are the indicators of sow longevity
Length of productive life
total numbers of parities before culling
age at culling
stayability
lifetime piglet production
culling rate, replacement rate, mean parity of sows
What are the incentives to increase sow longevity
Larger litter sizes with heavier pigs from sows in older parities
fewer unproductive days
lower replacement cost
increase in gross income
How do you reduce stressors
handling - good facility design, low stress handling
Novelty - enrichment and space
Social mixing - smaller groups, shorter lairage
heat stress - minimize it
cold stress - bedding during transport
What is the formula for carcass value
Carcass value = (price x index x dressed weight) + premiums
What are common reasons for culling
Infections
metabolic diseases
structural problems
behavioural issues
fertility and reproductive disorders
poor performance
What are the emerging issues in the swine industry
Market and international trade - tariffs
labour - labour shortage
Foreign animal diseases - african swine fever, FMD
Consumer issues
Precision feeding and animal identification
What are the requirements for transportation of swine
Pre-transport planning
Preparing newly weaned pigs for transport
Fitness for transport
Handling during loading and unloading
Loading and unloading facilities
Time w/out feed and water cannot exceed 28 hours
Need a contingency plan for if things go bad
What is important information the determine the best strategy to market hogs
Average market weight
Average index
Premiums
Finisher feed cost
feed conversion