11 The Business of Canadian Hog Farming Better Pork | December 2023 cy (feed efficiency), health status (i.e., inflammatory process, diseases, animal stress), reproduction (i.e., scrotal temperature) and determine methane production. Getting the click My team at the University of Manitoba includes graduate students Veronica Ndams and Ankita Saikia from the Department of Animal Science. We are working in collaboration with Alpha Phenomics and Animal Intrametric to provide solutions to swine farmers through the image technologies. The project is sponsored by Alberta Innovates and Results Driven Agriculture Research. The project will test the multispectral camera and thermos camera systems to develop predictions of live weights and carcass traits and fat-free lean in pigs, based on the captured images and direct measurement of body composition (length, width, height, and area of hams and loins), weight data and post-mortem carcass data. At the same time, within this frame- work, multispectral and thermal camera image results will be contrasted with other non-invasive and non- destructive technologies such as dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. This technology will be applied to the carcasses and primals to predict pork carcass traits and the quality and composition of primal cuts. The data will be used for future integration of precision technologies and may also assist in bridging the presently existing gap between producers and processors. The goal of this proposed and unique research is to apply a modern artificial intelligence technique called convolutional neural networks to train machine learning models to extract and predict carcass parameters from live images directly. At the same time, the study will generate a report that farmers can use to manage their animals in real-time. The research offers an opportunity to create an autonomous monitoring system of grower- finisher pigs to reduce inefficiencies in swine production and decrease carcass nonconformities, providing economic and market advantages. The proposed technology could reduce the dollar value loss for hog carcass nonconformities reported in the 2003 pork quality audit, averaging $8.08/carcass. The largest losses, $1.32, were attributed to inconsistent live weight, carcass and wholesale cut weights. Thus, this technology could produce a uniform lot (i.e., decrease carcass nonconformities), increase swine producer profitability, and improve sustainability in swine production. BP START TURNING MORE SUCKLING PIGLETS IN TO “EATERS”! Email topherd@masterfeeds.com or get in touch with your local Masterfeeds Swine Account Manager. A NEW APPROACH TO HELP LITTERS WEAN AND GROW WHILE SUPPORTING SOW HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY. Maximizing life time performance. For suckling piglets, Masterfeeds Blueprint® Extruded Creep aids in early stimulation of digestive enzyme production, which is necessary for protein and carbohydrate digestion in solid post-weaning diets. Encouraging the recognition effect of solid feed at weaning and increasing tolerance to antigens that may be present in post-weaning diets, helps piglets get off to a healthy start and can have a significant impact on their performance throughout their lifetimes. With today’s genetically advanced sows having more piglets per litter, Masterfeeds Blueprint® Extruded Creep stimulates piglets to eat sooner and this, in turn, supports a decrease in the rate of mortality in the crate. Piglets eating sooner also helps reduce the sow’s stress and depletion, decreasing her non-productive days and helping her to breed back more easily. For piglets and sows, Masterfeeds Blueprint® Extruded Creep has proven benefits that can stimulate the life cycle health of your herd. Carcass Composition ARGENIS RODAS-GONZÁLEZ Argenis Rodas-González is an associate professor at the University of Manitoba in the Department of Animal Science.
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