Do labour productivity and preferences about work load distribution affect reproduction management and performance in pig farms

Increases in labour productivity are essential factors, as well as technical effectiveness, for the competitiveness of pig farming. However, the preferences of farmers for controlled (i.e. limited) daily working hours or available days for vacation also increase. The objective of this study was to explore how these preferences about work might be associated to specific combinations of practices or affect performance. The study was carried out by direct investigation of the stockbreeders. Data analysis used factorial analysis to identify relationships between practices, labour productivity, sow productivity and work load distribution. Results showed independence between sow productivity and labour productivity. Three independent types of preferences about work load distribution were identified: the limitation of density of daily work, the avoidance of insemination activities during the weekend and the avoidance of farrowing supervision during the weekend. These preferences about work load distribution were mainly related to weaning, oestrus detection and insemination techniques. A relationship was also seen between farrowing and cross-fostering techniques, and labour and sow productivity. Results suggest that preferences about work load distribution influence the choice of reproduction practices without influencing performance. Finally, concerning the labour productivity, it was linked with some specific techniques at farrowing but the results also indicated that it was mainly related to the size of farrowing batches.     

Characterizing the Economic Value and Impacts of Wild Pig Damage on a Rural Economy

Wild pigs are a free-ranging invasive species capable of inflicting significant damage on rural property. Wildlife management personnel may benefit from understanding the negative societal impact of wild pigs. A statewide mail survey of randomly selected landowners was conducted in rural Tennessee counties known to have wild pigs. The economic value of damage caused by wild pigs in 2015 in these counties was estimated at $26.22 million, whereas the cost incurred in control and eradication was $2.09 million. Input-output modeling of damage in these counties on the state’s economy showed $32.8 million in lost industrial output, $4.6 million in lost labor income, and 332 jobs or job equivalents affected. Findings are useful in understanding the types of damage, and the extent of these impacts on the rural economy. They could also facilitate comparing the expected benefit with the cost of control programs in Tennessee and comparable areas facing similar invasions from wild pigs.     

Genetic differences in oestrous signs and oestrogen metabolism‐related genes between Chinese Mi and European Landrace‐Large White pigs

Oestrous signs affect timely mating and reproductive efficiency in swine breeding herds. To study the genetic difference of oestrous signs between Chinese and European pigs, 100 Landrace‐Large White (LLW) cross gilts and 50 Chinese Mi gilts were assessed for oestrous signs and the concentrations of serum estradiol‐17β and progesterone were determined. The genotype of 39 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 11 oestrogen metabolism and function‐related genes was determined by Sequenom iPLEX platform. Compared with LLW gilts, Mi gilts had longer time of standing reflex (p < .001), higher scores of vulva reddening (p = .001) and greater serum estradiol‐17β concentration (p < .01). Gilts with greater serum estradiol‐17β concentrations also had greater (p < .05) scores for oestrous signs. Genetic polymorphisms of nine genes in oestrogen metabolism pathways had significant differences (p < .05) between LLW and Mi gilts. There were three and six haploblocks of SNPs in LLW and Mi, respectively. Compared with LLW, the distribution of haplotypes was more centralized in Mi pigs. Genetic polymorphisms of oestrogen metabolism‐related genes have considerable differences between Chinese Mi and European LLW pigs. Because of the important roles of oestrogen during the oestrus, some genes of oestrogen metabolism pathway could be considered as candidate genes for oestrous signs.     

Ultrastructure of the gastrocnemius tendon and sheath from broilers infected with reovirus

Gastrocnemius tendon and sheath from male broilers infected with reovirus at 1 day of age were evaluated ultrastructurally at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, and 20 weeks postinoculation (PI). Although virus particles were not identified, degenerative changes in sheath and tendon fibroblasts were characterized by cytoplasmic vacuolization, disruption of membranes, and loss of ribosomes from rough endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondrial degeneration, and cell disruption.     

Mandibular condylectomy in a horse

Mandibular condylectomy was effective in improving mastication and stopping weight loss in a horse. The horse had a history of intermittent purulent drainage from a facial wound and unilateral ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint.     

Ultrasonic, needle, and carcass measurements for predicting chemical composition of lamb carcasses

Three groups (n = 147) of New Zealand mixed breed lambs averaging 170 d of age and 31.7 kg in weight were killed after a diet of pasture to determine whether the total depth of soft tissues over the 12th rib 11 cm from the dorsal midline (GR) could be measured in live lambs with sufficient accuracy to warrant its use as a selection tool for breeding flock replacements. Relationships among live and carcass measurements and carcass chemical composition also were determined. An ultrasonic measurement of GR in the live lambs was a more accurate predictor of carcass GR (r = .87) and percentage carcass fat (r = .80) than was a measurement of GR made with a needle (r = .80 and .67, respectively). Both measurements were sufficiently accurate to permit culling of over-fat lambs from breeding flock replacement prospects. The best single indicator of percentage carcass fat (r = .87) was a shoulder fat measurement, followed closely by carcass GR (r = .85). Both were superior to USDA yield grade for estimating carcass chemical composition in these young, lightweight lambs. These two measurements also were most highly related to percentage carcass protein (r = -.78 and r = -.77, respectively). These results indicate possibilities for improving the method of evaluating the composition of U. S. lamb carcasses.     

Pathological and aetiological studies of multifocal interstitial nephritis in wasted pigs at slaughter

Multifocal interstitial nephritis in pigs has been associated with several infectious agents. The objective of the present study was to investigate several different potential infectious agents associated with "white-spotted" kidneys in pigs suffering from wasting at slaughter (aged 6-8 months). Twenty-nine case kidneys (with a "white-spotted" gross appearance) classified into 3 macroscopic lesional grades, and 15 control kidneys (lacking gross lesions), were obtained from a pig abattoir. Laboratory analyses to detect potential associations with the aforementioned pathological condition with Leptospira spp., porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), porcine parvovirus (PPV), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), and bacteria, were carried out. Microscopically, interstitial nephritis with a lymphofollicular inflammatory pattern (follicular nephritis) was observed in both case and control kidneys, with a higher frequency seen in the former ones. No leptospires were identified, although antibodies to the Pomona and Bratislava serovars were detected. Some pyogenic bacteria were also isolated from both case and control kidneys. PCV2 nucleic acid was only detected in 1 case kidney. PRRSV antigen was not found in any tested sample. Some pigs were tested positive for PPV by serology. Apparently, none of the studied agents were specifically associated as being the potential cause of the renal lesions in the studied wasted pigs. The fact that these chronic lesions may have been the consequence of a previous infection with one of these studied microorganisms, or more, and eventually with other non-tested infectious agents during the growing-finishing period, cannot be ruled out.