31 Pork News & Views Pork News & Views Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Better Pork | August 2024 spreading via aerosol. Wild pigs kill more people than sharks: A new study has found that wild pigs kill more people annually than sharks. The number of annual global fatalities from wild pigs is increasing. From 2014 to 2023 the average annual number of fatal shark attacks was 5.8 while for wild pigs it was 19.7. So far in 2024 there have been 7 fatal wild pig attacks. From 2000 to 2019 there have been a total of 1,532 attacks and 172 deaths from wild pigs in 29 countries. Free Captive Bolt Training Sign Up Now for FREE Captive Bolt and Euthanasia Training from September 2024 - February 2025 Why Sign Up? Euthanasia and depopulation are often topics that no one likes to talk about, but can be vital in situations that threaten animal health and welfare. The purpose of this initiative is to train individuals that may be called on in the event of an emergency or foreign animal disease outbreak requiring quick action. The Importance of Proper Training in Euthanasia Proper training protects both workers and animals and is required under the National Farm Animal Care Councils (NFACCs) Codes of Practice. Appropriate technique ensures effective and efficient euthanasia that meets safety requirements and minimizes distress to the animal. To Participate or Learn More: Contact Managing Director, Emma Payne, at projects@opic.on.ca or call 519-276-1943. Heat Stress in Pigs Long, hot, humid summer days pose the risk of heat stress in pig operations and can negatively impact pig production and welfare. Pigs do not have functional sweat glands to cool themselves, and as such risk heat stress even in regions not typically considered hot. Additionally, animals under high production demands, like gestating sows, produce more heat and can face heat stress conditions even sooner. How hot is too hot? Heat stress results when an animal cannot maintain their normal body temperatures through heat loss. When an animal is producing (though digestion) or receiving (through it’s environment) more heat than it is able to release, it’s body temperature rises and heat stress can occur. Relative humidity is often high during hot weather in Ontario and has a direct impact on the ability of a pig to lose heat by evaporation. Figure 1 shows a Heat Stress Index for the average grow-finish pigs by room temperature and relative humidity. Temperatures above 23°C can have negative impacts on pigs’ short- and long-term performance. In extreme cases, heat stress can lead to death loss. From both an animal welfare and economic standpoint, taking steps to reduce the impact of hot weather is important. Spotting heat stress Evident discomfort/distress Pigs lying apart or with their body stretched out Changes in manure patterns (Wet/dirty pen floors, pigs dirtier than usual) Increased water consumption Decreased activity: slowness/let- hargy Muscle trembling Significant drop in feed con sumption/slowed weight gain Higher than normal respiration rates, gasping/panting, vocaliza- tion Preventing and managing heat stress Be prepared for hot weather before it happens. Death losses attributed to heat stress are most often a result of power outages in barns Figure 1: Heat Stress Index for Grow-Finish Pigs
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