scholarly journals A Comparison of Stocking Methods for Pasture-Based Growing-Finishing Pig Production Systems

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1885
Author(s):  
Silvana Pietrosemoli ◽  
James T. Green ◽  
Maria Jesús Villamide
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Initial Body Weight ◽  
Pig Production ◽  
Finishing Pig ◽  
Strip Grazing

Two alternative stocking methods (rotational and strip-grazing) were compared to continuous stocking at a stocking rate of 47 pigs ha−1 in tall fescue pastures. The research was conducted during two twelve-weeks grazing periods in North Carolina (USA). In total 144 (females and castrated males, 17.5 and 29.1 kg initial body weight) crossbred Yorkshire X Berkshire, Yorkshire/Landrace X Hampshire and Yorkshire/Landrace X Duroc pigs without nose rings were used. Greater soil bulk density and soil concentrations of NO3−, P, K, Mn, Zn and Cu were observed in paddocks managed continuously, while greater final ground cover (+22%) was recorded in paddocks managed with rotational and strip-grazing stocking methods. No differences were detected in botanical composition of the paddocks. Greater weight gains (+8.5%) were registered for rotationally managed pigs. Feed efficiency was better (+8%) for rotationally than for continuously stocked pigs, while strip-grazed pigs presented intermediate values. The results indicated the potential of both alternative stocking methods to be implemented in sustainable pasture-based pig production systems.

scholarly journals 115 Nitrogen fertilizer effects on above ground sward characteristics and beef heifer performance from native warm-season grass blends

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 26-27
Author(s):  
Caroline Chappell ◽  
Landon Marks ◽  
Katie Mason ◽  
Mary K Mullenix ◽  
Sandra L Dillard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
Light Interception ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Fertilizer Application Rate ◽  
Canopy Light Interception

Abstract A 2-yr study was conducted at Black Belt Research and Extension Center in Marion Junction, AL, to evaluate the effect of nitrogen (N) fertilizer application rate on forage production characteristics, nutritive value, and animal performance of beef heifers grazing a mixture of native warm-season grasses (NWSG) including big bluestem, little bluestem, and indiangrass. Six, two-hectare plots were randomly assigned to one of two treatments (0 or 67 kg N ha-1 applied in early April; n = 3 replications per treatment). Paddocks were continuously stocked with four weaned Angus × Simmental beef heifers (initial BW 288 ± 7 kg) from late May/early June through mid-to-late August during 2018 (73 grazing d) and 2019 (70 grazing d), respectively. Put-and-take cattle were used to manage forage to a target of 38 cm. Forage mass and canopy heights were collected every two weeks during the trial. Visual ground cover ratings, canopy light interception, and botanical composition were measured at the beginning and end of the trial in each year. Hand-plucked samples were collected every two weeks during the grazing trial to determine forage nutritional value. Data were analyzed using the PROC MIXED procedure in SAS 9.4, and differences were declared significant when P ≤ 0.05. Nitrogen fertilized NWSG had greater crude protein (P < 0.0001), sward heights (P = 0.0003), and canopy light interception at the beginning of the season (P = 0.0049) compared to non-fertilized paddocks. However, there were no differences (P ≥ 0.05) among N-fertility treatments for mean forage mass, heifer ADG, or BCS across the 2-yr study. Botanical composition data indicated that indiangrass decreased from 64% to 61% (P = 0.0022) and weed pressure increased from 11% to 15% (P = 0.0064) across the summer grazing season. Canopy light interception decreased by 51% from early June to August in fertilized NWSG and 26% in unfertilized paddocks, respectively. These data illustrate that NWSG systems may provide a viable grazing system in the summer months under reduced N inputs.

scholarly journals 395 Impact of pig mortality on U.S. pig producers

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 184-185
Author(s):  
Caleb M Shull
Keyword(s):  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Research Priorities ◽  
Functional Approach ◽  
Production Cycle ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Significant Challenge ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Positive Step

Abstract Swine producers in the U.S. face a significant challenge. On top of the ever-changing market dynamics that lead to wide swings in profitability or loss, is an underlying issue of pig mortality that the industry must address. While significant improvements in total piglets born per litter have been achieved over the last 10 years, pig mortality has seen no improvement or has worsened (Figure 1). When expressed as a percentage of piglets born (excluding mummies), a total of 7.9% were recorded as stillborn and 13.4% died prior to weaning in 2019. Assuming a typical mortality range of 7–10% from weaning to harvest, a typical U.S. producer could expect to lose around 27–30% of all piglets born. In addition, the average producer had around 12% annual sow mortality (Figure 1). Litter size and post-weaning growth rate and feed efficiency will always factor heavily into research priorities due to the economic impact associated with those traits; however, the opportunity to drive value through reduction in pig losses across the production cycle is staggering. In defense of the industry, improving pig survival is not an easy task for a number of reasons. The sample size (i.e., number of pigs) required to do mortality research correctly is often a limiting factor for many production systems. Furthermore, a cross-functional approach is likely required to make significant improvements in mortality. Specifically, the relationship between genetics, health, and management practices warrant consideration. Recent collaboration across the industry to improve mortality is a positive step forward and this collaboration should continue moving forward.

Rural income generation through improving crop-based pig production systems in Vietnam: Diagnostics, interventions, and dissemination

2005 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dai Peters ◽  
Nguyen Thi Tinh ◽  
Mai Thach Hoan ◽  
Nguyen The Yen ◽  
Pham Ngoc Thach ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Income Generation ◽  
Pig Production ◽  
Rural Income

scholarly journals Molecular epidemiology and diversity ofSalmonellaserovar Typhimurium in pigs using phenotypic and genotypic approaches

2005 ◽  
Vol 134 (1) ◽  
pp. 187-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. A. GEBREYES ◽  
C. ALTIER ◽  
S. THAKUR
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Phage Type ◽  
Geographical Area ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Resistance Pattern ◽  
Public Health Importance ◽  
Pig Production ◽  
Phage Types ◽  
Serovar Typhimurium ◽  
Discriminatory Index

SUMMARYFor epidemiological investigations of the most common and non-host-adaptedSalmonellaserotypes, such as Typhimurium, highly discriminatory approaches are essential. In the present study, we evaluated three genotyping methods; amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and repetitive palindromic extragenic–PCR (Rep–PCR) using 40 isolates. AFLP showed the highest discriminatory index (0·939), resolution and throughput. To determine clonality ofSalmonellaTyphimurium isolates and epidemiological relatedness in different commercial pig production units, we employed AFLP in combination with antimicrobial resistance pattern and phage typing.Salmonellaserovar Typhimurium isolates (n=196) obtained from a longitudinal study of 18 pig farms over a 3-year period were studied. Using this approach, 16 distinct clonal types were identified. We found two common multidrug- resistant patterns including AmCmStSuTe and AmKmStSuTe. Two commonly multidrug- resistant phage types that are of known public health importance, DT104 and DT193, were also common. AFLP differentiated distinct clones within DT104, a phage type previously reported to be clonal. Fourteen of the clonal types were unique to one of the two production systems, showing diversity between independent commercial pig production systems located in the same geographical area. Clonal types obtained from nursery farms and corresponding finishing units were, however, similar.

Ground cover rice production systems are more adaptable in cold regions with high content of soil organic matter

2014 ◽  
Vol 164 ◽  
pp. 74-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meiju Liu ◽  
Weiling Liang ◽  
Hang Qu ◽  
Gengyin Zhi ◽  
Qiuxue Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Rice Production ◽  
Cold Regions

scholarly journals FEED EFFICIENCY OF URBAN AND PERI-URBAN DAIRY PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 539-547
Author(s):  
M. Elsrogi ◽  
M. El-Wardani ◽  
H. Elsayed ◽  
M. Khorshed
Keyword(s):  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Dairy Production

518 Late-Breaking: Effect of Feedlot Diets on Environmental Emissions from Four Representative U.S. Feedlots and the Beef Production System

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 154-154
Author(s):  
Jessica Gilreath ◽  
Al Rotz ◽  
Sara Place ◽  
Greg Thoma ◽  
Tryon Wickersham
Keyword(s):  
Water Use ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Blue Water ◽  
Cattle Production ◽  
Beef Cattle Production ◽  
Energy Use Intensity ◽  
Dietary Strategies

Abstract Our objective was to evaluate effects of feedlot dietary management strategies on environmental impacts and net returns of feedlot operations in the United States. Representative feedlots were simulated with the Integrated Farm System Model (IFSM 4.6; USDA-ARS, University Park, PA) to quantify baseline environmental impacts of feedlot production and full US beef cattle production systems. The simulated dietary strategies included: 10% increase in feed efficiency, use of less water intensive forages, 10% increase in byproduct inclusion, 10% improvement in water use efficiency of corn, and steam-flaking of corn. Days on feed and head finished per year were held constant for all strategies to have equal comparisons to baseline results. Dietary management strategies were individually modeled and simulated in IFSM for each feedlot operation to obtain intensities (expressed per kg gain) for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, fossil energy use, blue water consumption, and reactive nitrogen loss. Feedlot operations were then linked with cow-calf, stocker, and backgrounding operations to estimate environmental intensities (expressed per kg CW) for full cattle production systems. Improving feed efficiency had the greatest effect on reducing carbon emission intensities (6%), energy use intensity (8%), blue water use intensity (9%), and reactive N loss intensity (4%) for feedlot operations. Increasing corn byproduct inclusion resulted in 9% reduction in blue water use intensity. However, byproduct inclusion increased reactive N loss intensity by 11% as a result of greater protein concentrations in the diet. Switching from rolled corn to steam flaked corn increased energy use intensity by 9%, but little to no changes (1% increase to 3% reduction) were observed for other environmental intensities. Improved feed efficiency was the most effective strategy to reduce environmental footprints of beef cattle production (1 to 2% reductions). Overall, feedlot dietary strategies were less pronounced for the full beef production system compared with feedlot results.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document