Effects of a whey protein product and spray-dried animal plasma on growth performance of weanling pigs

Five experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of a high-protein, whey protein product (WPP; 73% CP, 6.8% lysine, 12.8% fat, and 5% lactose) and spray-dried animal plasma (SDAP) on growth performance of weanling pigs. In all experiments, pigs were fed experimental diets from d 0 to 14 after weaning in a pelleted form and then a common diet in meal form for the remainder of the experiment. Dietary treatments were established by substituting WPP or SDAP for dried skim milk (Exp. 1) or soybean meal (Exp. 2, 3, 4, and 5) in the control diet. In Exp. 1, we maintained a constant level of lactose in all diets by adjusting the amount of added crystalline lactose. The amount of lactose in diets used in Exp. 2 through 5 varied slightly by the addition of WPP. In Exp. 1 and 2, 180 weanling pigs (initially 5.8 kg and 19 +/- 1 d of age or 5.5 kg and 17 +/- 1 d of age, respectively) were used. Treatment diets contained SDAP (2.5 and 5%) or WPP (2.7 and 5.4% in Exp.1, and 2.5 or 5.0% in Exp. 2). In Exp. 1, from d 0 to 7 after weaning, ADG and ADFI increased with increasing SDAP (linear, P < .01). No other treatment effects were observed during the d 0 to 14 period. In Exp. 2, from d 0 to 14 after weaning, ADG and G:F increased (linear, P < .04) with increasing SDAP or WWP. In Exp. 3, 305 weanling pigs (initially 4.1 kg and 12 +/- 1 d of age) were used. The control diet contained 2.5% SDAP. The experimental diets were similar to the control diet but contained an additional 2.5 or 5.0% SDAP or 2.5 or 5.0% WPP. From d 0 to 14 after weaning, ADG, ADFI, and G:F increased (quadratic, P < .05) with increasing SDAP up to 5.0%. Increasing WPP increased ADG (quadratic, P < .07) and ADFI (linear, P < .09). In Exp. 4 and 5, 329 and 756 weanling pigs (initially 4.1 kg and 12 +/- 1 d of age and 5.2 kg and 18 +/- 1 d of age, respectively) were fed diets in which WPP was substituted for 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% (Exp. 4) or 0, 50, and 100% (Exp. 5) of the SDAP in the control diet. In Exp. 4 and 5, from d 0 to 14 after weaning, pigs fed a 1:1 blend of each protein source had better ADG (quadratic, P < .04) than those only fed SDAP. In conclusion, WPP can be used in combination with or as a total replacement for SDAP in diets for weanling pigs without reducing performance.     

High dietary copper improves odor characteristics of swine waste

We conducted two experiments to determine the effects of dietary copper concentration and source on odor characteristics of swine waste. In both experiments, 192 weanling gilts and barrows were allotted to 24 pens. Pens were randomly assigned to one of six dietary treatments, consisting of control (10 ppm Cu as cupric sulfate, CuSO4), 66 or 225 ppm Cu as CuSO4, or 33, 66, or 100 ppm Cu as cupric citrate (Cucitrate). An antibiotic was included in the diets for Exp. 1, but not Exp. 2. On d 28, fecal samples were randomly obtained from one pig per pen and stored at -20 degrees C until preparation and evaluation by an odor panel. The odor panel consisted of 10 individuals, and each panelist evaluated the odor intensity, irritation intensity, and odor quality of the samples. In Exp. 1, the odor and irritation intensity of the feces were lower (P < .05) from animals consuming diets containing 225 ppm Cu as CuSO4 and 66 or 100 ppm Cu as Cu-citrate compared to the control. The odor quality of the waste from animals consuming diets containing 225 ppm Cu as CuSO4 and 66 or 100 ppm Cu as Cu-citrate was improved (P < .05) compared to the 33 ppm Cu treatment. In Exp. 2, the odor intensity of the feces of pigs receiving diets supplemented with all concentrations of Cu-citrate was lower (P < .05) than that of feces from the control animals. Irritation intensity of the feces was not affected by treatment. Odor quality of waste of pigs supplemented with 225 ppm Cu from CuSO4 and all concentrations of Cu-citrate was improved (P < .05) compared to that of waste of the control pigs. Two gilts and two barrows from each nursery pen in Exp. 1 were continued through the growing-finishing phase on their respective experimental diets. The growing-finishing phase lasted 103 d, and fecal samples were randomly obtained from one pig per pen at the completion of the phase. During the growing-finishing phase, the odor intensity and the irritation intensity of the feces were lower (P < .05) from pigs supplemented with 66 and 225 ppm Cu as CuSO4 and 66 and 100 ppm Cu from Cu-citrate than from the control pigs. The odor quality of the waste was improved (P < .05) in all animals receiving supplemental Cu. These data indicate an improvement in odor characteristics of swine waste with the supplementation of Cu. In addition, lower concentrations of an organic nonsulfate Cu source resulted in similar odor characteristics of swine waste as 225 ppm CuSO4.     

A cross-sectional study of paratuberculosis in 1155 Danish dairy cows

In a cross-sectional study on milk samples from 1155 cows from 22 Danish dairy herds, selected risk factors for paratuberculosis were identified. The diagnostic procedure used was an indirect enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) to detect antibodies against Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis. A sample was considered test-positive if it had a corrected optical density >/=0. 025 (test sensitivity 71.4% and test specificity 89.7%). Of the 1155 samples, 8.8% (102/1155) were test-positive, and 19 out of the 22 dairy herds had >/=1 test-positive cows. The significant risk factors in a multiple logistic regression analysis were: Jersey versus large breeds, high parity versus low parity, the first month after calving versus other months of lactation, and a large herd size compared to a small herd size. The highest probability (37-38%) of a positive test was observed among older cows (parity >4) and tested within the first month after calving (irrespective of breed). The lowest probability (2%) of a positive test-result was observed among first parity, large-breed cows tested before calving or later than one month after.     

Animal husbandry in Moretele 1 of North-West Province: implications for veterinary training and research

Little is known regarding the keeping of animals in the Moretele 1 area of North-West Province, South Africa. Therefore, the status and dynamics of animal husbandry, as well as a general assessment of the needs of animal owners in this area were researched. Results of the investigation will be used to make recommendations for improved veterinary extension servicing in the area. Semi-structured interviews, based on discussions with relevant stakeholders in the community and a resultant problem conceptualisation, were undertaken at 266 randomly selected households in 51 villages and centres in the area, after which the data was checked and verified before being captured and analysed. The findings reveal that within the field of veterinary extension delivery: 1) there is a demand for visual and written extension material, 2) the extension services must function where clients reside, 3) limitations in terms of infrastructure are present and should be addressed through partnerships and coordination amongst all the role-players in the Moretele 1 area, and 4) cattle and poultry are the most important of the animal species and should be the focus points of extension, but the need to curb zoonotic disease should not be disregarded. In this regard veterinary clinics, private veterinarians and other role-players should be used in partnership with extension workers. Lastly, the veterinary clinic is regarded as helpful in many respects by the community consulted and the service should be upgraded and made available to a wider client base, especially where private and state veterinarians are unavailable or too expensive in such resource-limited communities.     

ISOLATION OF A VIRAL AGENT FROM PSEUDOCOWPOX DISEASE

A virus with characteristics similar to the pox group was isolated in tissue culture from bovine skin and oral lesions typical of pseudocowpox. The properties of this agent, certain of which differ from vaccinia virus, suggest that the isolate is the etiologic agent of the pseudocowpox syndrome.