Final Flashcards
0
Q
What are the 5 unfavorable factors to swine production?
A
- Must be fed a maximum of concentrates, may increase production costs
- Very sensitive to unfavorable rations
- Susceptible to numerous diseases and parasites
- Hard to pasture
- Need expensive equipment
1
Q
What are the 8 favorable factors of swine production?
A
- Convert feed to meat efficiently
- Prolific - 7-12 pigs per litter, 2 litters a year
- High dressing % - 65-80%
- Pork higher in energy because of high fat content
- Pigs convert waste feed into meat well
- Can use self-feeders to reduce labor
- Initial investment is small, returns come quickly
- The difference in price paid for market hogs is relatively small
2
Q
What are the 3 types of swine operations?
A
1. Feeder pig producer
2. Farrow-to-finish operation
3. Pig finisher
3
Q
Describe a feeder pig producer operation.
A
Feeder pig producer:
- Maintains a herd of breeding sows - mates the sows and raises the pigs to about 45 lbs. before selling
- Someone that runs this type of operation usually has more labor available and a limited feed supply
4
Q
Describe a pig finisher swine operation.
A
Pig finisher:
- Buys pigs at weaning and then raises them to about 200-230 lbs. before selling them for slaughter
- This type of operation is a good way to market grain
- The operation usually has more feed supplies than labor
- The profit in this operation depends on: Price of feed, price of pigs, feed conversion, and price paid for slaughter pigs
5
Q
What is the problem with both a feeder pig producer and a pig finisher?
A
- The problem with the first 2 operations is with the market
- The feeder pig producers depend on the finishers to buy their product and thus the finishers can set the price paid
- On the other hand, the finisher depends on the pig producer to produce good piglets and have a constant supply, so they don’t know when pigs will be ready
6
Q
Describe a farrow-to-finish swine operation?
A
-In this operation, the producer maintains a breeding herd, farrows the piglets and raises the pigs from weaning to market
7
Q
What are the 7 management practices recommended for a farrow-to-finish operation?
A
- Clipping the needle teeth protects the sow from having her udder cut
- Docking tails protect the pigs in later life, when tail biting can be a problem
- Ear notching is a good way to number pigs. This way pigs can be accounted for. Usually only females from good litters or mothers are notched so as not to keep inferior pigs. You can also use ear tags or even neck chains to identify animals.
- Transferring piglets between litters is important so that some litters aren’t always fighting for milk with others having too much. Most sows don’t’ even notice the additional piglets.
- Iron shots should be administered to prevent anemia. Piglets are born with low levels of iron and sows milk doesn’t have enough iron to satisfy the need so injections must be given. Usually piglets are given 150-300mg Iron to satisfy the needs until enough iron can be gotten from feed eaten.
- Castration of the males at 1-3 weeks. Clean scalpel/knife and disinfectant. After castrated, called a barrow.
- Wean the pigs
8
Q
Pigs of today were bred from what two wild stocks?
A
1.European wild boar:
-The European wild boar can still be found in some of the forests of Europe. In comparison to the domestic pig, the wild boar has more hair, which is very coarse. Adults are almost black. These animals will freely cross with domestic pigs and the offspring are fertile.
- East Indian pig:
- The East Indian pig is actually a group of pigs found in the East Indies and Southeast Asia. The East Indian pig is smaller and more refined than the European wild boar. It may have a white streak along the sides of the face.
9
Q
What are the 4 European breeds of swine?
A
- American Landrace
- Berkshire
- Hampshire
- Yorkshire
10
Q
Describe the American Landrace
A
- Originated from Denmark, first imported to the US in 1934.
- The Landrace has a very long body, is white in color with large drooping ears.
11
Q
Describe the Berkshire
A
- Originated from England and first imported to the U.S. in 1823.
- Most Berkshires have a black coat, white feet and legs, a white stripe on the face and a white tip of the tail.
- The face is usually short with a medium dish.
12
Q
Describe the Hampshire
A
- Originated in England, first imported to the U.S. in the 1800s.
- They must be black with a white band around the shoulders - including the front legs.
- Hampshires have a larger, straighter face than some of the other breeds.
- Their ears are erect.
- This breed has good carcass characteristics, with the largest loin eye areas.
13
Q
Describe the Yorkshire
A
- Originated from England, first imported in 1893.
- When first introduced, they were considered one of the largest breeds. Today, extreme size is not seen as necessary.
- The Yorkshire is white in color with a broad face with medium dish.
- Ears are medium to large in size and erect.
14
Q
What are the 4 American breeds of swine?
A
- Chester White
- Duroc
- Poland China
- Spotted
15
Q
Describe the Chester White
A
- Originated in the U.S. in Pennsylvania.
- This is a white breed of pig with medium length head, slightly dished face and droopy ears.
16
Q
Describe the Duroc
A
- Originated in Northeastern US.
- Durocs range in color from a light yellow to a very dark red.
- They are one of the largest breeds with boars getting up to 1100 lbs.
- The face is medium in length with a slight dish and the ears are droopy.
17
Q
Describe the Poland China
A
- Originated in Ohio.
- A cross between Russian Berkshire and Irish Grazier.
- They are one of the largest breeds.
- They are black in color with white points on all four legs, the tip of the tail and top of the nose.
- The face is medium in length, lightly dished and they have droopy ears.
18
Q
Describe the Spotted
A
- Originated in Indiana, they were developed from crossing Poland China and Gloucester Spotted.
- They are slightly smaller than the Poland China and are black and white in color - preferable 50% of each.
19
Q
The pig is the easiest farm animal to change in it’s attributes because?
A
- Early Maturing
- Litter Bearing
- Short Generation Interval
20
Q
What are the 3 types of pigs produced?
A
- Lard type
- Bacon type
- Meat type
21
Q
Describe the Lard type
A
- Small, thick, compactly built and short in the leg.
- Not very prolific
22
Q
Describe the Bacon type
A
- Didn’t put on heavy fat like the lard- type pig
- Sufficient muscle to make good bacon
23
Q
Describe the Meat type
A
-Combines length, muscling and the ability to reach market weight without putting on excess fat
24
Selection basis - what are four methods producers can use to select the pigs that serve as the foundation for their herd?
1. Type of individual -
1. Type – Pigs can be selected for meat characteristics or overall size. One way to measure the meatiness of a pig is to measure the back fat. This is important because for every 0.1 inch increase in back fat on a 140 lb carcass there will be an increase of 2 lb of fat and a decrease of 7 lb of lean. It also requires less feed to produce meat than fat.
2. Pedigree - is basically used for people raising purebred animals as seedstock. It gives the buyer information on how an animal will perform based on how the parents and grandparents did. For most producers, a purebred boar is used and he should have a good pedigree, but a lot of time the better pedigree means more money for the animal.
3. Show-ring winnings - Again this probably is more for purebred production. It’s a good advertising technique. But it also gives an indication of consumer preference in the type of animal wanted.
4. Production testing - The best way to purchase animals is based on past performance and this is what production testing is. It could be based on growth characteristics or breeding characteristics. Many of the purebred associations have either a production registry or meat certification programs to identify the record production traits.
25
What are the 3 ways to measure back fat thickness?
1. Probing
2. Lean Meter
3. Sonoray
26
Describe the 6 steps involved in probing:
1. Snare pig (restrain)
2. Wrap knife or scalpel with tape 3/8 inch from tip to prevent from going too deep.
3. Jab knife through skin at right angle.
4. Insert probe (metal ruler) and push it toward center of pigs body.
5. Force probe through fat until you reach muscle.
6. Take measurement. Adjust backfat thickness to 200 lb.
27
Describe the Lean Meter process
-Using the lean meter, a cut in the skin must be made and the electrode from the meter is inserted and fat thickness is measured electronically.
28
Describe the Sonoray process
- The measurement is usually made at the last rib.
| - Ultrasonic waves are passed into the body and the length of time for the waves to return indicate the fat thickness.
29
Back fat thickness is estimated by measuring at what 3 points?
1. Level of elbow
2. Last rib
3. Level with stifle joint
30
What is the only equipment needed for probing?
1. Snare
2. Sharp knife or scalpel
3. Narrow metal ruler
31
As we talked about with cattle, what are the 4 breeding systems for swine?
1. Purebred
2. Line bred
3. Inbreds
4. Crossbreds
32
The 3 crossing systems for swine reproduction include?
1. 2 breed cross
2. 2 breed back cross
3. 3 breed rotation cross
33
Talk about the age at puberty for swine
- Most gilts reach puberty from 4-7 months old but this varies by breeds.
- Gilts usually weigh approx. 180 lbs. before they reach puberty.
- Boars don’t reach puberty as early as gilts.
34
Talk about breeding gilts
- The length of the estrous cycle is 21 days.
- The period of estrus lasts from 2-3 days with older sows being in heat longer than gilts.
- Ovulation normally occurs 24 hours after the onset of estrus.
- Animals should be bred as a routine 12 hours after being seen in estrus and then again 24 hours later.
35
What is the gestation period in swine?
114 days or 3 months 3 weeks and 3 days
36
What are the 3 ways to influence the number of ovulations of the sow or gilt?
1. Flushing – Feeding sows so they gain from 1-1.5 lbs. Per day for 1-2 weeks before breeding will increase ovulations by about 30%.
2. Hormone treatment – PMSG will increase ovulations.
3. Selection – Select pigs for ovulation rate
37
Talk about parturition (farrowing) in pigs
- Parturition (farrowing) in the sow occurs most frequently in the early hours of darkness.
- The majority of sows deliver pigs from alternate horns and the placentas are expelled last.
- As we said earlier, the largest piglets are born first.
- When piglets are born they must escape the fetal membranes without assistance from the mother or they’ll suffocate.
- Farrowing usually lasts from 30 min – 8 hrs.
38
The management practice of using a farrowing crate is good for what 2 reasons?
1. Highest loss of piglets is from the sow laying on them
| 2. The sow can’t get to weak piglets or the placentas, which some producers believe induces the sow to eat her piglets
39
Describe one litter farrowing
- One litter farrowing is the easiest system to run – it takes less capital because pigs are usually born in the spring in good weather
- Less grain is needed and less labor
40
What is the problem with one litter farrowing?
- The problem with this system is that buildings and equipment are not used to the maximum.
- It limits the improvement that you can make in the herd because you only have one litter per year to select from. -Labor requirements are not distributed throughout the year.
- And lastly, income comes only once a year.
41
Describe the two litter system
-Makes maximum use of capital invested in buildings and equipment and can make faster improvement in the herd, better distribution of labor, and get two pay checks per year.
42
Describe the multiple farrowing system
- Breeding is scheduled for groups of pigs so that the farrowing house is used constantly.
- Usually using this system, the sow herd is divided into 2 or 3 groups.
- If 2 groups are used, pigs are farrowed every 3 months. If 3 groups are used, pigs can be farrowed every other month.
43
What are the 4 advantages of a multiple farrowing system?
1. Distribute work evenly throughout the year.
2. Use buildings to the maximum.
3. Supplies pigs to market all year.
4. Avoid price fluctuations.
44
What are the 2 disadvantages of a multiple farrowing system?
1. It’s more confining to the producer.
| 2. Disease organisms can build up in the system, because no breaks are given to disinfect the houses.
45
What are a couple of different methods that producers can use to alter sexual
cycles in pigs?
1. Puberty
| 2. Synchronization of estrus
46
What 2 ways are there to get pigs to come into estrus together?
1. Take them for a ride:
- If you load a group of pigs onto a trailer and drive them around the block, it seems that a fair number of these will come into estrus shortly after being brought back.
2. Progesterone feeding:
- Companies have made progesterone compounds that can be fed to pigs.
- The progesterone will inhibit any changes in the sexual cycle. Normally the P4 is fed for 7-14 days; and then when it’s removed, the majority of pigs come into estrus 2-3 days later.
47
What 3 phases is the boar ejaculate secreted in?
1. clear – sperm free
2. milky – sperm rich
3. gel
The gel is secreted to plug up the cervix and the sperm can’t get out. This is a way to assure a high fertilization rate.
48
As you’re collecting, what are the 3 phases of the ejaculate you need to remember?
1. Clear fraction – which you don’t need to collect, because there is no sperm in this.
2. Milky phase – has the sperm, so try and collect as much as possible.
3. Gel phase – with the cheese cloth on top of the vessel, the gel will be kept out of the semen.
49
It is recommended that the sperm be diluted in at least 50 ml of an extender and most people use 100 ml.
The extenders of choice are:
1. egg yolk
2. milk
3. BL-1
50
Extenders have been developed and one has been developed that will maintain motility and fertility of boar semen for 4-5 days. It contained what 4 ingredients?
1. 20% egg yolk
2. .33% citrate
3. .33% glycine
4. 1% glucose
51
What two types of pipets are there for inseminating pigs?
1. A spiret.
- A rubber pipet with the end shaped like a boar’s penis.
2. An insemination pipet.
- Before breeding, you need to alter the pipet slightly. This is done by holding the pipet over a flame and applying a slight downward pressure, which bends it at a 45 degree angle.
52
What are the advantages/disadvantages of a spiret and an insemination pipe?
- The advantage for the spiret is in ease of use; but to cut down on spreading disease, they should be washed and sterilized after each use.
- The inseminating pipet is cheaper, but it’s a little harder to use.
53
What is a prognosticator and what is one problem that can occur if used improperly?
- This is a machine that tells if an animal is pregnant that works by ultrasonic waves.
- One problem is if the waves are aimed at the bladder, it will indicate pregnant every time.
54
What are 5 nutrients required by pigs?
1. Water
2. Fatty acids – Linoleic acid and possibly arachidonic acid and some fat (.06%) are needed for absorption of fat soluble vitamins.
3. Vitamins – Fat soluble A, D, E, & K
- Water soluble vitamins – Biotin, choline, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin B6, & vitamin B12
4. Protein - necessary for supplying essential amino acids and as a source of N for synthesis of nonessential AA.
- Amino acids – arginine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine.
5. Minerals – calcium, chlorine, cobalt, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, sodium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sulfur, and zinc.
55
Of all farm animals, the pig is most likely to suffer from mineral deficiencies. The 4 reasons are:
1. Pigs are fed mostly cereal grains that are low in minerals.
2. The skeleton of the pig supports a greater proportion of weight than other animals.
3. Pigs eat minimal forage, which could balance mineral requirements.
4. Pigs are fed to grow a maximum rate for early market.
56
What are the 4 most important minerals in pigs?
1. sodium
2. chlorine (salt)
3. calcium
4. phosphorus
-with the other minerals being trace minerals, but still important.
57
When feeding concentrates, especially cereal grains, you need to remember what 4 things?
1. cereal grains are low in calcium
2. grains are poor sources of vitamins
3. they have poor quality proteins
4. must remember to fortify rations with vitamins and minerals
58
Some of the protein feeds are (5):
1. Soybean meal – makes up approx. 2/3 of the total high protein animal feeds. Soybean meal can be purchases at either 44 or 49% protein, with the 49% being better for starter-type rations.
2. Pastures – a good legume pasture can supplement the diet of pigs. Pasture can decrease the amount of corn fed by 2 lb and supplement by ½ lb per day in gestation diets; and in a growing finishing diet, the protein level can be decreased by about 2%.
3. Silage – is a good feed for brood sows. It should be fed fresh daily in amounts that sows will clean up in 2-3 hours. Sows will normally eat 10-15 lbs and gilts 8-12 lbs. Silage must be supplemented with 1-1.5 lb of a good protein supplement. The producer also must watch the sows and supplement with added grain to maintain proper body condition.
4. Hogging down crops – This lets pigs do the harvesting of crops. Corn in the
dent stage is usually used or small grain crops that have been badly knocked down. Other crops like peas, peanuts and sweet potatoes can also be hogged down. Using this method, the pigs usually first eat the grain, then eat the vegetation.
5. Garbage – can be fed to pigs. It’s estimated that a ton of garbage will produce approximately 30 lb of pork. As a rule of thumb, 4 lbs of heavy garbage will replace 1 lb of concentrate. Garbage can be fed to any type of pig and best results are obtained when a combination of garbage and grain is fed.
59
What are the 3 precautions when feeding silage?
1. Don’t feed moldy or frozen silage
2. Silage causes digestive upsets in baby pigs, so don’t feed silage to lactating sows
3. Don’t feed silage alone (because of low protein)
60
What are the (3) advantages and (2) disadvantages of hogging down crops?
Advantages:
1. saves labor
2. fertilizes field
3. corn that has been knocked down, can be harvested easily
Disadvantages:
1. corn is lost by being trampled
2. requires additional fencing
61
What are 2 problems associated with feeding garbage to pigs?
1. In market pigs over 100 lb. garbage feeding will result in soft pork.
2. Raw garbage feeding seems to be related to more cases of trichinosis.
- Because of this, most states have laws requiring garbage to be cooked before feeding. The other aspect of this is that protection from trichinosis is gotten by thoroughly cooking pork.
62
Antibiotics in feed additives are used to:
1. Increase feed efficiency
2. Stimulate growth
3. To control infections
-In the normal situation, pigs fed antibiotics usually gain 10% faster on about 5% less feed.
63
Antibiotics may function to (4):
1. favor bacteria that produce substances needed by the pig
2. inhibit growth of nutrient destroying organisms
3. improve availability or absorption of nutrients
4. prevent or control certain diseases
64
Creep feeding gives (6):
```
1. more uniform pigs
2. heavier weaning weights
3. less mortality
4. decrease in pig scours
5. easier transition after weaning
6. less demand on sow
```
65
Baby pigs are usually weaned at approx. 4-6 wks; but they can be weaned as early as 1 wk. The reason for early weaning, which we have already talked about, is (3):
1. lower feed costs
2. sooner rebreeding
3. greater turnover of sows in farrowing house
66
What are growing/finishing pigs and what are 2 ways to feed them?
- Pigs fed from 40 lb – 200 lb.
1. full feed – all time
2. limit feed, then full feed for last 75 days
67
Neither feeding system is best for all situations. It depends on:
1. Market
2. Breed of animal
3. Feed price
4. Available labor
68
So to control weight gain, limit feeding must be practiced.
| Producers can use 4 different methods, such as:
1. adding bulk to the diet
2. interval feeding
3. group hand feeding
4. individual feeding
69
What are the normals for a pig?
Rectal temp - 102.6 F
Pulse rate - 60-80BPM
Respiration rate - 8-18bpm
70
What are 5 precautions when dealing with health management of swine?
1. When planning a swine building, make it to allow for efficient, rapid
cleaning and for natural drainage away from the building.
2. Separate farrowing and nursery areas from the rest of the operation.
3. Provide isolation quarters.
4. Clean and disinfect buildings and equipment after periods of use. Allow
pens and buildings to remain idle for 3-21 days.
5. Provide footwear and coveralls to visitors and use a disinfected foot bath
before going into farrowing house/nursery.
71
What are the 5 major bacterial diseases?
1. Brucellosis – causes abortion, most states have eradication program.
2. Atrophic rhinitis – can vaccinate, won’t prevent infection.
3. Erysipelas – can get high fever, can vaccinate, diamond-shaped red blotches.
4. Leptospirosis – causes abortion, vaccinate, every year.
5. MMA – mastitis/metritis/agalactia – treat with antibiotics. Prevent with
sanitation.
72
What are the 5 major viral diseases of swine?
1. African swine fever – very contagious, no vaccine.
2. Foot and mouth disease – can vaccinate.
3. Hog cholera – eradication program, can use passive immunity.
4. Pseudorabies – treat with immune serum.
5. Swine influenza – no known treatment – animals develop temporary immunity.
73
What are the 2 types of external parasites of swine?
1. Sarcoptic mange – a mite that burrows in the outer layers of the epidermis can causes itching and irritation. Can treat by spraying with drugs like malathion or lindane or with the drug Ivermectin.
2. Fleas, flies, ticks, lice – causes irritation and can be treated with dusts or sprays.
74
What are the 2 types of internal parasites of swine?
1. Ascarids - can live in the upper intestinal tract.
- Eggs are passed with feces and the larvae develop on the ground.
- Larvae are ingested by pig and lodge in liver.
- The ascarids compete with the host for nutrients.
- Control of ascarids is achieved by good sanitation and the use of antihelmintic.
2. Trichinella – causes trichinosis in man. It is most seen in garbage-fed pigs.
75
What is the life cycle of the internal parasite, Trichinella?
The life cycle of trichinella is:
1. Adults live in intestinal tract
2. Eggs are deposited in the mucosa
3. Larvae pass into lymphatics and blood
4. Larvae become encysted in diaphragm and muscle
5. Encysted larvae can remain in muscle for several years. Ingestion of infected pork causes severe nausea, anorexia, and digestive upsets, followed by muscle pain as the larvae migrate. Severe infestation can cause death.
7. To prevent trichinosis, pork should be cooked at 77ºC (170ºF) for 30 minutes or freezing pork for 20 days at –15C (5ºF).
76
What are 8 management practices when dealing with breeding herd in swine?
1. Maintain a closed herd as much as possible. This will reduce infectious
disease on the farm.
2. Buy breeding stock from as few herds as possible. Get certificates of the health of animals. Isolate new animals for at least 6 weeks and test for brucellosis and leptospirosis.
3. Verify that herd is brucellosis-free by testing all animals 6 months old or
older yearly.
4. May need to vaccinate sows yearly for leptospirosis.
5. Vaccinate sows and boars yearly for erysipelas. Sows can be vaccinated
during pregnancy and this will increase the concentration of antibodies in
the colostrum for the newborn pigs.
6. Control, external parasites on boars and sows. Use malathion or lindane.
Don’t use on pigs before weaning. Depending on the treatment, may
not need to treat animals before slaughter.
7. Treat sows for ascarids 10 days – 4 weeks before farrowing, so that
piglets won’t become infested.
8. Inject sows with antibiotics before and after farrowing to protect from
infections.
77
What is an SPF pig?
A Specific Pathogen Free Pig
78
What 4 things is an SPF Pig free from?
An SPF pig is free from:
1. viral pig pneumonia
2. atrophic rhinitis
3. lice, mange
4. vibronic dysentery
79
What are the 2 types of SPF pigs?
There are two types of SPF pigs –
1. Primary SPF pig
- One that was removed from its mother by Caesarean section just prior to birth and raised in laboratory isolation.
- Pigs raised this way don’t have a chance of contracting one of the diseases its mother had.
2. Secondary SPF pig
- One that was delivered and raised by either a primary or secondary SPF mother.
80
What are 4 diseases not eliminated by and SPF program?
```
Disease not eliminated by an SPF program are:
1. hog cholera
2. leptospirosis
3. erysipelas
4. internal parasites
```
81
When are portable houses used?
- Portable houses are used when pigs are kept on pasture.
| - Originally, the houses were made for 1 sow and her litter, but larger houses have been used.
82
What are the advantages (4) and disadvantages (2) of portable houses?
```
The advantages of portable houses are:
1. greater flexibility
2. more isolation
3. ease of construction
4. low cost
```
The disadvantages are:
1. more labor
2. hard to keep warm
83
What are permanent multi-use houses?
- Houses that can be used for farrowing, growing, finishing or just housing gestating sows or boars.
- They are often used in combination with portable houses in operations that use a combination of pasture and confinement.
- This type of house seems to be the halfway point between the pasture system and total confinement.
84
What are the advantages (4) and disadvantages (1) of permanent housing?
```
The advantages of permanent housing are:
1. greater convenience
2. more uniform temperature
3. more easily cleaned and disinfected
4. better ventilation
5. less equipment required
```
And the disadvantage is:
1. higher initial cost
85
What are total confinement-type houses?
- Pig production is using the confinement system more and more.
- This type of confinement house can be very specialized.
86
The number of different types of houses needed depends on these 3 things:
1. size of operation
2. frequency of farrowing
3. plans of producer
87
What is the order of housing for farrow-to-finish operations?
1. Farrowing
2. Nursery
3. Growing
4. Finishing
88
Farrowing houses are used in confinement systems to protect the sows and baby pigs during farrowing until weaning. The design of the farrowing house should provide these 4 things:
1. environmental control
2. pig losses
3. labor efficiency
4. satisfactory manure handling
89
Houses can be insulated to help maintain temperature. The insulation should have a vapor barrier on it because moisture is a big problem in pig houses. Moisture comes from (4):
1. waterers
2. wet bedding
3. respiration
4. feces & urine
90
A lagoon is a body of water that manure is deposited into to be digested by bacteria. Three types of bacteria are involved:
1. aerobic – requires O2
2. anaerobic - requires no O2
3. facultative, which grow with or without O2
Using lagoons, most of the fertility value of the manure is lost but the savings in labor and equipment offsets this.
91
When putting in a lagoon, there are a few criteria to look at:
1. Location:
-The lagoon should be placed at least 500 feet from any dwelling and away from the direction of the prevailing winds. The smell of the manure will be greatly decreased because it will be under water, but some will still exist.
2. Size:
-Lagoons should have about 2 ft^3 of space for each 100 lb. of pig; so
that if a producer has 100 market pigs weighing 200 lbs, they need a
lagoon that will hold 2 x 100 x 200 = 40,000 ft3. The more diluted that manure is, the better, so building the lagoon bigger than needed will allow for future expansion.
3. Depth:
-A lagoon should be at least 6 ft deep. The lagoon bottom should be as level and impervious as possible. Concrete bottoms are best to stop percolation through soil and pollution of ground water. For this same reason, lagoons should not be built on sandy or porous soils within 150 ft of a well.
Construct impervious embankments on the side of the lagoon that are 8 ft wide at the top and divert storm water and surface run off away from the lagoon. Also, make sure the lagoon is enclosed within a dog & child tight fence.
-For the lagoon to function correctly, it should be filled with water.
-In the winter, the lagoon may freeze so manure can be put on top of the ice. When the ice thaws, the manure will sink to the bottom. Each spring it takes 2-4 weeks to reestablish the bacterial population.
92
Management of the lagoon (4):
1. lagoon should be filled with water
2. manure should be added gradually
3. lagoon functions best if manure added daily
4. manure should not contain bedding
93
Pigs are classed and graded as other livestock by (4):
1. Age - Swine are labeled pigs or hogs, depending on weight, which
indicates age.
2. Use - Slaughter or feed
3. Sex - Swine are described as either
a. barrow – castrated male
b. gilt – female that has not produced pigs
c. sow – female that has produced pigs or obviously pregnant
d. boar – intact male
e. stag – a castrated male, that has been castrated after attaining
sexual maturity
4. Weight – divided into general terms of light, medium, heavy.
94
The weight class/grade can be affected by (3):
1. dressing percent
2. desirability of meat
3. amount of lard
95
Barrows and gilts are graded on what 2 parameters?
1. quality indicating characteristics of the lean
2. expected yield of the 4 major lean cuts –
loin-Boston shoulder
ham-picnic shoulder
96
The specifications of grading is determined by what 2 things:
1. Back fat thickness over last rib
| 2. Degree of muscling
97
Degree of muscling has 6 different classes. Name the classes.
1. very thick
2. thick
3. moderately thick
4. slightly thin
5. thin
6. very thin
98
How do you calculate carcass grade?
To calculate the carcass grade:
| Carcass grade = 4x back fat thickness over last rib – (muscling score).
99
Using this equation we can get the carcass grade, but there are a couple of exceptions. What are these exceptions?
1) a thin muscled carcass can’t grade U.S. #1.
| 2) a carcass with over 1.75 in. back fat can’t grade #3.
100
Like the US Beef producers the US Pork producers have developed a Pork Quality Assurance program. The national program is very specific and includes a 10 step program to help producers raise a quality product and assure the consumer that pork is of high quality The 10 steps are:
1. Establish and implement an efficient and effective herd health program
2. Use a veterinarian/client/patient relationship as a basis for medication decision making
3. Use antibiotics responsibly
4. Identify and track all treated animals
5. Maintain medication and treatment records
6. Properly store, label and account for all drug products and medicated feeds
7. Educate all animal caretakers on proper administration, needle use procedures, observance of withdrawal times and methods to avoid marketing adulterated products for human food
8. Follow appropriate on-farm feed processing and commercial processing procedures
9. Develop, implement and document an animal caretaker training program
10. Provide proper swine care to improve swine well being
101
They defined Biosecurity as a combination of management practices designed to prevent the transmission of diseases and disease causing organisms. They said there were 2 types of Biosecurity to be concerned with:
1. External Biosecurity measures
| 2. Internal Biosecurity measures
102
External Biosecurity measures – These measures are put into place to prevent the introduction of disease(s) from an off farm source:
1) Develop standard operating procedures with a veterinarian and post them for caretakers and visitors
2) When possible locate new animal facilities away from other swine herds and transportation routes
3) Control wildlife and pests to prevent contact with your herd
4) Establish and isolation facility for quarantining new animals, test for disease, vaccinate, medicate and acclimate new animals.
5) Limit the number of visitors
6) Supply boots and coveralls, require at least the washing of hands
7) Limit the use of equipment or tools that have been used on other pig facilities
8) Prohibit livestock truck drivers from entering animal areas
9) Consider composting mortalities rather than having a rendering truck come to your farm
10) Locate feed storage bins so that delivery trucks don’t have to cross animal traffic areas
103
Internal Biosecurity measures –These measures are taken to reduce the spread of disease within your farm:
1) Determine a disease profile of your herd
2) Growing pigs should be kept in age segregated groups. Operate an all in/all out policy and clean and disinfect between groups if possible
3) Establish a traffic pattern for both pigs and people that prevents exposure of younger pigs to older animals or people that have had contact with them
4) Strategically deworm and vaccinate according to the conditions of the herd
5) Provide dedicated boots and coveralls in strategic sites in the facility
104
The State of Maine made a law that requires livestock producers to apply for a Livestock Operations Permit if they met any of the following criteria:
1) It is a new operation started after April 15, 1998 with 300 or more animal units
2) It is an operation that had less than 300 animal units before April 15, 1998 and expanded to more than 300 animal units after April 15, 1998.
3) It is an operation that meets the EPA definition of a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO).
4) It is an operation that plans to expand beyond its current landbase capacity for spreading manure or beyond the current capacity for storing manure.
105
The Nutrient Management Plan includes:
1) Farm name and address
2) Basic farm information
3) Whole farm budget for Nitrogen and Phosphorus
4) Manure Production and Use
5) Manure Storage
6) Odor and Insect Control
7) Nutrient Management Plans for Individual Fields
8) End of the Year Summary of Manure and Nutrient Application
106
Predicting the future for the livestock industry can get pretty interesting. Livestock producers must sell what the consumer wants and these wants change. To show how predictions can either come true or not is illustrated by predictions made in the 1958 Journal of Animal Science. The Journal was celebrating it’s 50th Anniversary.
Some of the predictions included:
1) Development of a sexless dual purpose animal
2) Producing desired sex of animals
3) Use of parthenogenesis
107
Future advances in genetic engineering could include:
1) Identification of the genome (what all of the genes in a species are responsible for). This could be used to identify individuals with specific traits that a producer is looking for.
2) Animal and plant productivity. Using genetic engineering could increase growth, milk production or plant production. The National Center for Food and Agriculture Policy evaluated six biotech crops grown in the US and found that they yielded an additional 4 billion pounds from the same acreage, increased farm income by $1.5 billion and decreased pesticide use by 46 million pounds.
3) Animals with resistance to specific diseases could be genetically engineered. Plants could be developed to provide vaccines to specific diseases.
4) Parasites could be controlled by genetic interference with their immune systems
