506 Late-Breaking: Rapid Weight Assessment of Finishing Pigs

Abstract Accurate pig body weight assessment is an important factor in managing swine herds and imperative when determining acceptable market weights. Pigs marketed outside the desired weight range established by the packer can lead to severe economic loss to the producer. This study’s objective was to validate new weight measurement technologies and determine their usefulness on swine farms. Accuracy of three methods were evaluated: human observation, a walk-across platform scale (CIMA; Correggio, Italy), and PigVision mounted cameras (Asimetrix Inc; Durham, NC). Weights were validated with a calibrated livestock scale in all three studies. In the first study, a trained individual selected pigs estimated to be market weight at two sites. Site one had 468 pigs and an accuracy of 84.4%, site two had 522 pigs and an 82.5% accuracy. A 16-week study was then conducted to determine PigVision camera accuracy over time from placement to market. Cameras were mounted above 12 pens. Weights were validated every two weeks. The accuracy for pigs that weighed 32.7 kg (87.7%) was lower (P < 0.05) than the accuracy for pigs that weighed 117.5 kg (97.6%) or 125.7 kg (96.6%). The overall accuracy from placement to market was 94.1%. A final study at market compared human observation, the walk-across scale, and PigVision. A total of 91 pigs were weighed with each method. The accuracy for the walk-across scale was 98.2%. The walk-across scale did not register a weight for six pigs. Final accuracies were 88.2% for human observation, and 96.6% for PigVision. Human observation is the chosen method in many operations today yet offers the lowest accuracy. The walk-across scale is easy to operate but requires tactical animal movement. PigVision is the least arduous option, provides constant data, but does require maintenance. This work was funded by the National Pork Board.

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Longitudinal study of adverse behaviour of undocked pigs in two different housing systems

BSAP Occasional Publication ◽

10.1017/s0263967x00040374 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 31 ◽

pp. 165-168

Author(s):

H. A. Van de Weerd ◽

C. M. Docking ◽

J .E. L. Day ◽

K. Breuer ◽

S. A. Edwards

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Longitudinal Study ◽

Flow System ◽

Housing System ◽

Finishing Pigs ◽

Housing Systems ◽

Tail Biting ◽

Changes Over Time ◽

Over Time ◽

Biting Behaviour

AbstractThe development of adverse behaviour in group–housed growing/ finishing pigs with intact tails was studied in a straw–flow housing system and in a part–slatted system with a commercial enrichment object. Food intake, body weight and behaviour were monitored over the finishing period, with tail biting outbreaks defined as an occasion where three or more pigs within a group had freshly damaged tails and tail biting behaviour was ongoing. Data from the two systems were analysed to identify tail–biting outbreaks and behavioural changes over time. Levels of pig manipulation were higher in the part–slatted system. Over time, pigs in both systems showed reduced interest in the enrichment provided, but not in each other. Despite the presence of the enrichment device, tail biting occurred in all groups in the part–slatted system, but only 1/12 groups in the straw–flow system. The amount of time occupied by manipulation of the enrichment provided was very significantly higher for straw than for the commercial object. Better design of enrichment strategies is therefore needed and should be based on species–relevant requirements.

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Decreased Platelet-Free Dopamine and Unchanged Noradrenaline and Adrenaline in Essential Hypertension

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1647040 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 60 (02) ◽

pp. 251-254 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

S E Kjeldsen ◽

K Gjesdal ◽

P Leren ◽

I K Eide

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Essential Hypertension ◽

Blood Platelets ◽

Plasma Catecholamine ◽

Catecholamine Synthesis ◽

Hypertensive Group ◽

Plasma Catecholamine Concentrations ◽

Noradrenaline And Adrenaline ◽

Over Time ◽

Normotensive Control

SummaryThe content of free-catecholamines in blood platelets is much higher than in plasma and platelet catecholamines must be taken up from plasma, since platelets lack the enzymes for catecholamine synthesis. There is some evidence that platelet catecholamine content under certain circumstances may be an integrated measure of plasma catecholamine concentrations over time. Platelet-free catecholamines were therefore assayed in 18 untreated patients with essential hypertension and in 16 normotensive control subjects. Mean platelet-free dopamine in the hypertensive group was 3.7 ± 0.4 pg/mg platelet weight, i.e. significantly less than the 6.5 ± 0.9 pg/mg found in the normotensive (p <0.005). Platelet contents of noradrenaline and adrenaline did not differ. Decreased platelet-free dopamine and unchanged platelet noradrenaline and adrenaline persisted after adjustment for increased body weight in the hypertensive group. Although the reasons for decreased platelet-free dopamine in the hypertensive group remain unknown, this finding may add to previous result showing facilitated release of granular contents from blood platelets in patients with essential hypertension. Our data do not support platelet levels of free-catecholamines to be a marker of increased sympathetic tone in essential hypertension.

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Surgical Management of Atresia Ani in a Crossbred Calf

THE INDIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCES AND BIOTECHNOLOGY ◽

10.21887/ijvsbt.15.2.23 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 15 (02) ◽

pp. 81-82

Author(s):

Madan Pal ◽

Kashi Ram ◽

Chander Pal Garhwal ◽

Virender .

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Body Weight Gain ◽

Present Report ◽

Genetic Disorders ◽

Economic Loss ◽

Intestinal Atresia ◽

Congenital Defect ◽

Surgical Correction ◽

Anal Opening

Atresia ani is a congenital defect that describes the absence of a normal anal opening. It is fatal unless a surgical correction is carried out to provide an anal opening. In female, the rectum may break through the vagina, forming a rectovaginal fistula permitting defecation via the vulva. Surgical treatment of atresia ani is indicated to save the animal’s life and to improve body weight gain. Intestinal atresia has been reported as a congenital defect in all species of domestic animals (Gass and Tibboel, 1980). Atresia ani may be caused by genetic disorders (chromosomes or transgenesis), environmental factors, or a combination of both (Cassini et al., 2005). Monsang et al. (2011) reported a case of double vulva with atresia ani in a crossbred calf. Atresia ani should be treated by a surgical operation to solve the problem, improve body weight gain, and reduce economic loss. The present report records a case of atresia ani in a crossbred cow-calf and its successful surgical correction.

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98 Impact of social mixing on feedlot steer eating and lying behavior

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz397.145 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 63-64

Author(s):

Amanda J Hubbard ◽

Jason Sawyer ◽

Reinaldo F Cooke ◽

Jenny Jennings ◽

Courtney L Daigle

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Genetic Composition ◽

Feedlot Steers ◽

Social Mixing ◽

Tactile Contact ◽

Mixing Proportion ◽

The Impact ◽

Over Time

Abstract This study evaluated the impact of mixing cattle from two sources of feedlot steers (n = 96) on feeding and lying behavior. Angus crossbred steers (n = 48 McG and n = 48 BCS), similar in genetic composition, were transported (833.64 ± 85.29 km) to a feedlot 39-d prior to mixing where the two sources were housed without visual or tactile contact. Steers, blocked by source and stratified by d -34 body weight, were randomly assigned to one of 12 pens (n = 8 steers/pen) for the 42-d study. Pens were assigned to one of two treatments (n = 6 pens/treatment): 1) NOMIX—100% of cattle from McG (n = 3 pens) or BCS (n = 3 pens) and, 2) MIX—50% of cattle from BCS and 50% from McG (n = 6 pens). Instantaneous scan sampling (n = 61 scans/d; 10 min intervals) recorded the number of steers per pen eating and lying on d1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 36, and 37 after mixing. Proportion of steers lying varied across time (P < 0.0001); however, a greater proportion of steers laid down on d1 compared to d7, 8, 9, 16, and 28 (P < 0.03). The proportion of steers observed eating increased over time (P < 0.0001). Fewer steers ate on d1 than d9, 14, 15, 28, 29, and 36 (all P < 0.01). More steers were observed eating on d8 and 16 than the first seven days (all P < 0.01) and on d37 than the first 6 days (all P < 0.02). While there was no impact of mixing, data indicate that handling and sorting cattle into new pens impacts eating and lying behavior and it takes approximately a week for behavior to stabilize.

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99 Impact of social mixing on feedlot steer eating and lying behavior

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz397.039 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 17-18

Author(s):

Amanda J Hubbard ◽

Jason Sawyer ◽

Reinaldo F Cooke ◽

Jenny Jennings ◽

Courtney L Daigle

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Genetic Composition ◽

Feedlot Steers ◽

Social Mixing ◽

Tactile Contact ◽

Mixing Proportion ◽

The Impact ◽

Over Time

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Nutritional Status of Patients Undergoing Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD)

Peritoneal Dialysis International ◽

10.1177/089686088300300309 ◽

1983 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 138-141 ◽

Cited By ~ 48

Author(s):

Brigitte Heide ◽

Andreas Pierratos ◽

Ramesh Khanna ◽

Jean Pettit ◽

Raymond Ogilvie ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Peritoneal Dialysis ◽

Nutritional Status ◽

Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis ◽

Protein Intake ◽

Biochemical Parameters ◽

Total Body Potassium ◽

Total Body ◽

Over Time

Nutritional follow-up of 20 CAPD patients for 18–24 months showed a decrease in total body nitrogen, increase in total body potassium and body weight, and a decrease in protein intake over time. There was no correlation between changes in TBN and the biochemical parameters measured. Serial dietetic assessments and measurements of total body nitrogen as well as adherence to an adequate protein intake will assist in the prevention of malnutrition in CAPD patients.

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PSV-20 The Effect of Black Pepper (Piperine) Extract Supplementation on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Fecal Microbial, Fecal Gas Emission, and Meat Quality of Finishing Pigs

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab054.319 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 195-196

Author(s):

Vetriselvi Sampath ◽

Hyun Ju Park ◽

Inho Kim ◽

Huan Wang ◽

Raihanul Hoque

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Meat Quality ◽

Black Pepper ◽

Linear Increase ◽

Nutrient Digestibility ◽

Finishing Pigs ◽

Gas Emission ◽

Dietary Treatments

Abstract The study was conducted to assess the effect of black pepper (BP) supplementation on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbial, fecal gas emission, and meat quality of finishing pigs. A total of 180 crossbred [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] finishing pigs with average initial body weight (BW) of 53.72 ± 1.42 kg were used in 10-week trial and allotted to 6 dietary treatments (6 replications pens/treatment with 5 pigs per pen). The dietary treatments were: CON (basal diet), TRT1- CON + 0.025% BP, TRT2- CON + 0.05% BP, TRT3- CON + 0.1% BP, TRT4- CON + 0.2% BP, TRT5- CON + 0.4% BP. A linear increase (P = 0.0380, 0.0061) in body weight gain (BWG) and average daily gain (ADG) were observed respectively, during the overall trial in pigs fed BP supplemented diet compared to control. The dietary supplementation of BP showed a linear increase (P=0.0065) in gain and feed ratio (G: F) at week 10. However, there were no significant results observed on average daily feed intake (ADFI) during the overall experiment. The total tract digestibility of dry matter (DM) was linearly improved (P=0.0531) in BP treatment groups compared to control. In addition, BP diet supplementation had linearly increased fecal Lactobacillus counts (P=0.0482) and decreased E. coli counts (P=0.0306) in pigs at week 10. Furthermore, NH3, methyl mercaptans, and acetic acid was linearly decreased (P=0.0227, 0.0555,0.0541) in pigs fed BP supplementation compare to control. The inclusion of BP supplementation in pigs diet had linearly increased (P=0.0146) the backfat thickness at week 10. Thus, we concluded that BP supplementation had positively enhanced the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbial, fecal gas emission, and meat quality of finishing pigs.

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Plasma hormonal responses at graded hypohydration levels during exercise-heat stress

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/jappl.1985.59.6.1855 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 59 (6) ◽

pp. 1855-1860 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

R. P. Francesconi ◽

M. N. Sawka ◽

K. B. Pandolf ◽

R. W. Hubbard ◽

A. J. Young ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

Plasma Cortisol ◽

Plasma Renin ◽

Plasma Aldosterone ◽

O2 Consumption ◽

Hormonal Responses ◽

Exercise Period ◽

Humidity Environment ◽

Over Time

The effects of graded levels of hypohydration (3, 5, and 7% of body weight) on hormonal responses to exercise in the heat were examined in six heat-acclimated male volunteers. On the day following dehydration, subjects performed light (approximately 25% maximal O2 consumption, 1.03 1 X min-1) exercise in a hot (49 degrees C, 20% relative humidity) environment for four consecutive 25-min intervals interspaced by 10-min rests; blood was obtained before exercise and at approximately 10 min before completion of each exercise period. During euhydration, plasma cortisol (PC) levels manifested significant decrements over time (e.g., time 0, 14.2 micrograms X 100 ml-1 vs. time 2, 8.9 micrograms X 100 ml-1), probably related to its diurnal periodicity. However, during hypohydration, levels of PC were increased and correlated with hypohydration intensity (e.g., time 0, 0, 3, 5, and 7% hypohydration, 14.2, 16.5, 19.8, and 36.2 micrograms X 100 ml-1, respectively). Plasma renin activity (PRA) was increased significantly by hypohydration (e.g., time 0, euhydrated vs. 3%, 3.7 vs. 6.2 units) but was unaffected by exercise in the heat. Plasma aldosterone (ALD) levels were generally increased by exercise in the heat (e.g., time 0 vs. time 4, 3% hypohydration, 12.1 vs. 18.7 ng X 100 ml-1). Regression analysis illustrated that graded intensities of hypohydration were correlated with incremented PRA and ALD through 5% hypohydration. Conversely, PC was incrementally elevated through 7% hypohydration.

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Decreased sensitivity to the anorectic effects of leptin in mice that lack a Pomc-specific neural enhancer

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0244793 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (12) ◽

pp. e0244793

Author(s):

Elisa S. Na ◽

Daniel D. Lam ◽

Eva Yokosawa ◽

Jessica M. Adams ◽

David P. Olson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Body Weight ◽

Knockout Mice ◽

Weight Change ◽

Body Weight Change ◽

Dynamic Regulation ◽

Adult Mice ◽

Environmental Perturbations ◽

Mild Obesity ◽

Over Time

Enhancer redundancy has been postulated to provide a buffer for gene expression against genetic and environmental perturbations. While work in Drosophila has identified functionally overlapping enhancers, work in mammalian models has been limited. Recently, we have identified two partially redundant enhancers, nPE1 and nPE2, that drive proopiomelanocortin gene expression in the hypothalamus. Here we demonstrate that deletion of nPE1 produces mild obesity while knockout of nPE2 has no discernible metabolic phenotypes. Additionally, we show that acute leptin administration has significant effects on nPE1 knockout mice, with food intake and body weight change significantly impacted by peripheral leptin treatment. nPE1 knockout mice became less responsive to leptin treatment over time as percent body weight change increased over 2 week exposure to peripheral leptin. Both Pomc and Agrp mRNA were not differentially affected by chronic leptin treatment however we did see a decrease in Pomc and Agrp mRNA in both nPE1 and nPE2 knockout calorie restricted mice as compared to calorie restricted PBS-treated WT mice. Collectively, these data suggest dynamic regulation of Pomc by nPE1 such that mice with nPE1 knockout become less responsive to the anorectic effects of leptin treatment over time. Our results also support our earlier findings in which nPE2 may only be critical in adult mice that lack nPE1, indicating that these neural enhancers work synergistically to influence metabolism.

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Longitudinal study of Salmonella shedding in naturally infected finishing pigs

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268812002464 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 141 (9) ◽

pp. 1928-1936 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

A. F. A. PIRES ◽

J. A. FUNK ◽

C. A. BOLIN

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Longitudinal Study ◽

Study Design ◽

Production System ◽

Research Study ◽

Finishing Pigs ◽

Faecal Samples ◽

Research Study Design ◽

Over Time

SUMMARYA 3-year longitudinal study was conducted on a multi-site farrow-to-finish production system. For each of 18 cohorts at three finishing sites, 50 pigs were randomly selected. Faecal samples were collected every 2 weeks for 16 weeks. Salmonella was cultured from 453 (6·6%) of 6836 faecal samples. The pig-level incidence of Salmonella was 20·8% (187/899 pigs). Salmonella prevalence varied between cohorts and within pigs. The adjusted Salmonella prevalence decreased over the finishing period from 6·4% to 0·8%. Intermittent detection of Salmonella was found in more than 50% of pigs that were positive at more than one collection. The finding that the majority of pigs shed intermittently has implications for surveillance and research study design when determining Salmonella status. The variability in shedding over time, as well as between and within cohorts and pigs suggests that there may be time-variant risk factors for Salmonella shedding in swine.

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