Feed-conversion ratio of finisher pigs in the USA

Although the feed-conversion ratio is recognized as a prominent indicator of profitability for pork producers, only 212 (50.7%) of 418 producers who were asked the feed-conversion ratio for finisher pigs provided a response during the USA National Animal Health Monitoring System 1995 National Swine Study. Of these, 126 (59.4%) producers furnished a feed-conversion ratio which they characterized as having been calculated from records, while 86 (40.6%) gave a response that they characterized as estimated or guessed. Feed-conversion ratios ranged from 2.18 to 5.91 kg of feed fed for each kg of live-body weight gained during the grower/finisher phase, with a mean of 3.28 and a standard deviation of 0.52. Stepwise regression revealed the following management factors to be associated with improved feed-conversion ratios: ≥3 different rations fed during the grower/finisher phase (P<0.01); no rations mixed on the farm (P<0.05); and not giving chlortetracycline in feed or water as a disease preventive or growth promotant (P<0.01). In addition, operations where ≥3000 pigs entered the grower/finisher-production phase during the six-month period prior to interview had a better mean feed-conversion ratio than operations where <3000 pigs entered the grower/finisher phase (P<0.01).     

Prevalence of clinical signs of disease in Danish finisher pigs

Between December 1999 and February 2001, two visits, eight weeks apart, were made to 90 herds of Danish finisher pigs. The prevalence of clinical signs was recorded by three veterinary technicians from the Danish Bacon and Meat Council according to a standardised procedure; they had been trained and their observations were monitored and validated before and during the study. A total of 154,347 finisher pigs were examined and 22,136 clinical signs were recorded. Vices accounted for 43 per cent of the signs. The highest mean prevalence was observed for ear necrosis (4.44 per cent), followed by respiratory signs (2.17 per cent), lameness (1.92 per cent), other skin diseases (1.73 per cent), tail bites (1.26 per cent), umbilical hernia (0.78 per cent), flank bites (0.52 per cent), diarrhoea (0.27 per cent), respiratory distress (0.12 per cent), atrophic rhinitis (0.10 per cent), recumbency (0.09 per cent) and central nervous disease (0.05 per cent). The prevalence of atrophic rhinitis was higher in conventional herds than in specific pathogen-free herds. The prevalence of clinical signs of atrophic rhinitis was higher among finishers weighing 51 to 75 kg than among finishers weighing up to 50 kg, and the prevalence of respiratory signs was higher among finishers weighing 51 to 75 kg then among finishers weighing 76 to 100 kg.     

Mortality attributed to respiratory problems among finisher pigs in the United States

In the 1995 National Swine Study of the United States National Animal Health Monitoring System, producers identified respiratory problems as the leading cause of death in pigs during the grower/finisher phase of production. Over a six-month period, 61.7±4.1% (mean±SEM) of operations reported at least one death attributed to respiratory problems among finisher pigs (based on 388 operations representing operations with ≥300 finisher pigs in 16 states). Mean mortality attributed to respiratory problems was 0.9±0.1% of finisher pigs per operation. Stepwise logistic regression (using SAS) was used to identify factors associated with operations attributing at least one death to respiratory problems, and to identify factors associated with reporting ≥2% mortality attributed to respiratory problems. Final models were run with SUDAAN to account for the sampling strategy. Attributing at least one death to respiratory problems was associated with having ≥3000 pigs enter the grower/finisher unit over a six-month period; diagnosis of Haemophilus (or Actinobacillus) in the past 12 months; and keeping pigs in the grower/finisher unit >120 days (as compared to <100 days). Not having a farrowing facility, mean weaning age <28 days, and <50% of finisher pigs on solid concrete only were associated with reporting ≥2% mortality attributed to respiratory problems.     

Factors associated with the development of equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy

A case-control study was done to identify factors associated with the development of equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy (EDM). Questionnaires were mailed to the owners of 146 horses admitted to the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine between November 1978 and June 1987 and diagnosed as having EDM by histologic examination. Questionnaires also were sent to owners of 402 clinically normal horses admitted to the college during the same period. Data were compared between the EDM-affected and control groups (56 and 179 questionnaires returned, respectively). Risk factors identified included the use of insecticide applied to foals, exposure of foals to wood preservatives, and foals frequently spending time on dirt lots while outside. Foals spending time outside on green pastures was a protective factor. Foals from dams that had had an EDM-affected foal were at higher risk of developing EDM than were foals from other dams.     

Endoscopy via a gastric cannula to monitor the development of ulcers in the pars esophagea in pigs after consumption of a finely ground feed combined with a period of withholding of feed

OBJECTIVE: To develop an endoscopic technique for use in monitoring devlopment of gastric ulcers via a gastric cannula during withholding of feed and administration of a finely ground diet to pigs. ANIMALS: 6 pigs weighing between 60 and 70 kg. PROCEDURE: A gastric cannula was surgically inserted adjacent to the pars esophagea in each pig. Pigs were fed a finely ground diet for two 7-day periods that were separated by a 48-hour period during which feed was withheld. Endoscopic examination via the gastric cannula was used to monitor development of ulcers in the pars esophageal region of the pigs during the 48-hour period of feed withhold and subsequent 7-day feeding period. An ulcer score was assigned during each endoscopic examination. A final examination was performed during necropsy and compared with results for the final endoscopic examination. RESULTS: Consumption of a finely ground diet for 7 days resulted in progressive erosive damage to the pars esophageal region of the stomach. Further significant increases in ulcerative damage were detected after 24 and 48 hours of withholding of feed. Final examination during necropsy did not reveal significant differences from results obtained during the final endoscopic examination. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Endoscopic examination via a gastric cannula was an effective means of monitoring ulcer development in the pars esophagea of pigs. Feeding a finely ground diet and withholding of feed induced endoscopically observable ulcers in the stratified squamous epithelial region of the stomach. Direct visual examination during necropsy confirmed the accuracy of endoscopic examination.     

An investigation of the etiology of a mild diarrhea observed in a group of grower/finisher pigs

An investigation into a mild diarrhea in a group of grower/finisher pigs was carried out in order to determine the etiology. A tiamulin injection and a carbadox-medicated ration were given to pens of pigs in a 2 x 2 factorial experimental design. Pens of pigs were assessed a score, based on the consistency of the feces in the pen, each week. The clinical investigation looked for the intestinal pathogens Brachyspira pilosicoli, B. hyodysenteriae, Lawsonia intracellularis, Salmonella spp., Yersinia spp., transmissible gastroenteritis virus, and rotavirus. Despite a rigorous investigation, the diarrhea was not attributed to any pathogen. A mild colitis was noted among pigs necropsied while affected with diarrhea. Improved diagnostic tools may allow a more effective response to an outbreak of mild disease, while at the same time reducing the amount of antimicrobials used in swine production.     

Alterations of the integument of fattening pigs in different housing systems

Alterations of the integument of fattening pigs were investigated on a total of eleven farms with the following housing systems: "Krieger" system, fully slatted floors, partially slatted floors and kennel housing systems. For this purpose, the alterations of the integument of the animals were visually assessed at different times during fattening. In addition, spot investigations were carried out on three farms with deep litter systems. In the non-littered systems, significantly more changes at the limbs were observed than in the littered systems. The least damages occurred in the deep litter system. Similar as with cattle, soft and deformable lying areas seem to be a prerequisite for the prevention of such alterations. With respect to injuries caused by tailbiting, apart from possibilities of activity, other parameters such as air quality and space availability also play an important role.     

A study of gastric mucosal pH and its correlation with gastric ulcers in adult horses

In a sample of twenty adult horses' stomachs, the mucosal surface pH was measured at 14 different loci, immediately post mortem, using a pH probe. The squamous epithelium of the pars oesophagea was observed to show a lower pH than the glandular mucosa. The pH of the glandular mucosa was generally uniform whereas within the pars oesophagea the different loci were observed to show variation, the lowest readings being found where the squamous epithelium adjoins the margo plicatus, the same area where ulceration initially tends to occur.

Ten horses in the sample showed moderate to severe ulceration and these horses had significantly lower pH readings compared to the group with mild to no ulceration.     

Factors affecting fertilization and embryonic development during intracytoplasmic sperm injection in pigs

In intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) technique, a sperm was injected into ooplasm directly using a glass pipette. The fertilization physiology in ICSI is considered quite different from that of the natural fertilization. The different mechanisms for fertilization may be the causes of various results in ICSI. In this paper, we focus on the state of sperm membranes, nuclear or DNA integrity during ICSI procedure and discuss the influence of these factors on fertilization and embryonic development. We also introduce some examples in application of ICSI for new technologies in pigs.     

肉牛舍走向对夏季舍内环境的影响

为了研究肉牛舍走向对舍内环境指标的影响,试验选取2种不同走向的牛舍,测定夏季舍内温度、相对湿度、风速以及二氧化碳、氨气浓度。结果表明:东西走向牛舍内的风速显著高于南北走向牛舍(P<0.05),有效温度及有害气体浓度极显著低于南北走向牛舍(P<0.01),2种牛舍内温度和相对湿度无显著差异(P>0.05)。     

Enteritis associated with porcine circovirus 2 in pigs

This report describes the diagnosis of porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2)-associated enteritis in 6 weaned pigs without postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome by histopathology, virus isolation, and in situ hybridization. The most unique lesions were granulomatous inflammation affecting Peyer's patches, characterized by infiltrates of epithelioid macrophages and giant multinucleated cells. Large, multiple, basophilic or amphophilic, grape-like intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies were often seen in the cytoplasm of histiocytic cells and giant multinucleated cells. No microscopic lesions were observed in the lymphoid tissue, such as lymph node, spleen, and tonsil. A strong hybridization signal for PCV2 was detected in the cytoplasm of histiocytes and giant multinucleated cells in Peyer's patches. Porcine circovirus 2 was isolated from homogenates of the small and large intestines in 2 weaned pigs. The presence of diarrhea and granulomatous enteritis, and abundant PCV2 DNA associated with the microscopic lesions is suggestive of PCV2-associated enteritis. Thus, PCV2-associated enteritis could be a distinct clinical manifestation of PCV2.     

Prevalence of gastric ulcers in show horses.

OBJECTIVE: To determine prevalence and risk factors for gastric ulcers in show horses. DESIGN: Field survey. ANIMALS: 50 horses in active training that had been transported to at least 1 event in the 30 days prior to endoscopy. PROCEDURE: Interview of owner, physical examination, serum biochemical analysis, CBC, and gastric endoscopy were performed. RESULTS: Gastric ulceration was detected in 58% of the horses. Horses with a nervous disposition were more likely to have ulceration than quiet or behaviorally normal horses. Horses with gastric ulceration had significantly lower RBC counts and hemoglobin concentrations than those without ulceration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Show horses have a high prevalence of gastric ulceration. Lower RBC counts and hemoglobin concentrations may be the result of chronic gastric ulceration.     

Effects of long-chain fatty acid supplementation on the growth performance of grower and finisher pigs: a meta-analysis

Background: Supplementation of feed with long-chain fatty acids(LCFAs) during the grower and finisher phases has long been discussed as a growth promotion strategy in pigs, but its effects are inconsistent. The purpose of our study was to comprehensively evaluate its effects on the growth performance based on the average daily gain(ADG), average daily feed intake(ADFI) and gain: feed(G:F) ratio and to unveil the roles of the basal diet, LCFA concentration and LCFA saturation.Results: We searched the Pub Med and Web of Science databases(articles published from Jan 1 st, 2000, to Sep 30 th,2018; restricted to English) and compared LCFA-supplemented diets with control diets. We retrieved 2346 studies, 18 of which(1314 pigs, 26 records) were eligible for our analysis. We used a random-effects model to calculate the weighted mean differences(WMDs) and 95% confidence intervals(CIs). LCFA supplementation in the grower-finisher phase improved the ADG(WMD = 41.74 g/d, 95% CI: 8.81 to 74.66, P = 0.013) and G:F ratio(WMD = 0.019, 95% CI: 0.006 to 0.032, P = 0.003). For supplementation solely in the finisher phase, we found a similar performance in the ADG(WMD = 39.93 g/d, 95% CI: 26.48 to 53.38, P 0.001) and G:F ratio(WMD = 0.019, 95% CI: 0.006 to 0.032, P 0.001) but a reduction in the ADFI(WMD =-83.863 g/d, 95% CI:-156.157 to-11.569, P = 0.023). Specifically, approximately 5%LCFA supplementation in the finisher phase had significant effects on the ADG(WMD = 51.385 g/d, 95% CI: 35.816 to66.954, P 0.001), ADFI(WMD =-102.869 g/d, 95% CI:-189.236 to-16.502, P = 0.02) and G:F ratio(WMD = 0.028, 95%CI: 0.018 to 0.039, P 0.001), whereas a concentration of approximately 1% exhibited no effects.Conclusions: Overall, regardless of the basal diet and saturation, LCFA supplementation greatly improves the growth performance of grower and finisher pigs, primarily by increasing the energy density.