ALBERTA’S WALDNERS BEARISH MARKET NEWS CELEBRATING OPC ANNE DECKERT Research the Industry Needs SQUEAL ON PIGS GET TO KNOW McREBEL LITE Healthy Pork ANTIMICROBIAL USAGE Benchmarking Studies 44 42 VALUABLE RESEARCH Deckert Joins OVC COPING WITH HEAT STRESS Protecting Pigs 10 14 6 JUNE 2024 $9.50
Maximize your Profits for Summer Shipping! Advanced Animal Nutrition for Improved Human Health 1-877-625-4400 grandvalley.com This unique tool, available exclusively from Grand Valley Fortifiers, will help compare weights vs yield on your shipping grid and interpret how frequently you are hitting the mark. By better understanding your current shipping performance you can set goals to help increase the percentage of time you ship hogs in your grid’s ideal weight zone. With Profit FinderTM you can minimize sort loss and maximize profit. To find out more, contact one of our Swine Specialists directly or reach out using the number below. Make Sure to join us at the Ontario Pork Congress, JUNE 19&20. Find out what’s the Pig Deal at: www.porkcongress.on.ca
3 The Trusted Source for Canada’s Pork Producers Better Pork | June 2024 Better Pork is published six times a year by AgMedia Inc. 1-888-248-4893 ext 281 Subscriptions@BetterFarming.com ISSN 1497-2271 (Printed) Canadian one-year subscriptions: $22 (six issues; includes $2.53 HST). Two-year: $40 (12 issues; includes $4.60 HST). Single-copy back issues are $12 (including $1.38 HST). U.S. subscriptions: $39.30 annually. International: $66. GST Registration #868959347RT0001 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to AgMedia Inc. 90 Woodlawn Road West, Guelph, ON N1H 1B2 Publications Mail Registration No. 1156 Publications Mail Agreement No. 40037298 Copyright © 2024 by AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any content without written permission of the publisher is strictly forbidden. Acceptance of advertising does not constitute endorsement of the advertiser, its products or services, nor do Better Pork, AgMedia or Farms.com endorse any advertiser claims. The publisher shall have no liability for the omission of any scheduled advertising. 1-888-248-4893 90 Woodlawn Road West Guelph, ON N1H 1B2 PUBLISHER & EDITORIAL DIRECTOR PAUL NOLAN ext 202 Paul.Nolan@Farms.com ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER & EDITORIAL DIRECTOR LESLIE STEWART ext 265 Leslie.Stewart@Farms.com EDITORIAL TEAM EMILY CROFT GEOFF GEDDES CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS EDITION MOE AGOSTINO ATTA KOFI AGYEKUM ABHINESH GOPAL JACK KRONE JEANINE MOYER LILIAN SCHAER ADVERTISING TEAM GLENN RUEGG JENNY LONGSTREET DESIGN & PRODUCTION TEAM TANYA MYERS GREG MARLOW SHAUN CLARK ANDREA WILLIAMS www.BetterFarming.com LETTER FROM THE EDITOR OLYMEL UPDATE; OPC SHOW GUIDE The Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu plant being shut down by Olymel next month processed mainly poultry products, “but also a few pork products.” The plant was operating at only 40 per cent of its capacity, according to Olymel, and the decision came against a backdrop of falling production volumes. Olymel explained in an April 19 release that “a reorganization of production within the Olymel family will enable operations to be redeployed to neighbouring plants with residual capacity to handle these volumes.” The closure will affect a total of 135 employees, but the company says it will relocate any worker wishing to remain with the company to its other plants. It’s reported to be the eighth Olymel plant to be shut down since 2021. We are pleased to again bring you an excellent guide to this year’s Ontario Pork Congress at the event enters its second half century. If you’re eager to stay ahead of the curve in the pork industry, then you won’t want to miss our look ahead to the June 19-20 event, put together by our own Glenn Ruegg and the OPC Committee. The section begins on Page 23 and pulls together 19 pages of information dedicated to this year’s OPC, where producers, industry representatives, exhibitors, sponsors, and volunteers will converge to shape the future of pork production. A visit to Stratford is an investment in your own operation. Explore the innovative management strategies and technological enhancements on display, and gain new insight into herd health, compliance updates and the financial side of pork production. Our industry is evolving, and events like this will keep you on the front lines. And don’t miss out on the other highlights of this year’s Congress, including the Bacon Maker Classic, the Pork Quality competition, Taste the Best event, and the Perth County BBQ Lunch served daily in the Hospitality Tent. Cover: Ed Deckert photo, davemhuntphoto – stock.adobe.com We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada. INSIGHT FROM THE INSIDE INSIGHT FROM THE INSIDE INSIGHT FROM THE INSIDE INSIGHT FROM THE INSIDE INSIGHT FROM THE INSIDE INSIGHT FROM THE INSIDE “It’s very important that the public knows wild pigs are out there and the damage they can cause to commercial pigs and crops.” - Megan Evans, Page 7 “There are a lot of pigs raised in very hot parts of the world, but in Canada we also have to deal with cold, so we need to look at what is being done elsewhere that could work well in the Canadian context in dealing with temperature extremes.” - Anne Deckert, Page 13 “From a production standpoint, our best year was 2023 after we got that awful flu under control, made some management changes, and achieved better gilt selection. The big things matter, but so do the little ones, and covering all our bases paid off in a big way.” - Steven Waldner, Page 21 “Antimicrobials are a critical tool in both animal and human health, and their effectiveness needs to be maintained as long as possible.” - Jessica Fox, Page 42
4 The Business of Canadian Hog Farming Better Pork | June 2024 national pork HEADLINES PORK PRODUCERS CONCERNED ABOUT U.S. V-COOL LAW The pork industry continues to express its concerns about the implications of the proposed voluntary country of origin labelling (V-COOL) on pork trade between the U.S. and Canada. The policy is scheduled to come into effect on Jan. 1, 2026, and will require that meat products sold with a “Product of the U.S.A.” label be derived from animals raised, slaughtered, and processed in the U.S. “The integration within our industry on both sides of the border has been a point of pride for us, and for our American counterparts at the National Pork Producers Council,” said Canadian Pork Council chair René Roy in a recent release from the organization. “These changes, like the original mandatory policy successfully challenged at the World Trade Organization, will have an impact on trade in the integrated Canada/U.S. market, and we are again expressing our disappointment that the final rule did not consider the concerns expressed by Canada and by our American colleagues.” If preferred by U.S. consumers, this labelling could be perceived as a trade barrier for the Canadian pork industry. The original mandatory COOL law was repealed in 2015 to address this concern and avoid potential tariffs from Canada and Mexico. “Despite being labelled as ‘voluntary,’ Manitoba Pork is concerned that the same discrimination will occur when these new regulations are implemented,” said Manitoba Pork chair Rick Préjet in Manitoba Pork’s recent release. “We call on Canada to consider all of the potential options to correct the protectionist nature of these proposed regulations, and we ask the Government of Manitoba to support a strong response to protect our market access.” BP Swine Health Ontario and Ontario Pork recently reminded producers and transporters to be mindful of biosecurity as cases of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) and porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCOV) are on the rise. An April release shared disease updates for producers and transporters, as well as resources for tracking the spread of the diseases. The documents currently attribute the increase in cases since the beginning of 2024 to the movement of animals and people. There have been 10 cases of PED and 21 cases of PDCOV reported since January 1. Senecavirus A has also been reported at a farm in Quebec. “As we approach planting season, particular care should be taken around manure spreading and cleaning of farm equipment that might be moving between properties. When hiring third-party manure spreading companies, ensure they are aware of your biosecurity requirements,” states the producer update. The transporter update also notes, “There may be increased risk for picking up manure along roadways and in farmyards. Particular care should be taken on farms to ensure particulates are not transferred into the barns.” Further recommendations for improvement of biosecurity in pig barns included limiting access to essential visits, having dedicated clothing for inside a barn, implementing a Danish entry or shower-in, shower-out protocol, and securing barns against wildlife. Symptoms of PED and PDCOV can present as watery diarrhea, vomiting, and going off feed in sows. In piglets it can appear as diarrhea, dehydration, vomiting, thin appearance, and high mortality. If symptoms are present, producers should report potential cases to their vet and conduct rule-out testing. Transporters should remember to be cautious of assembly yards and processing plants. They should know if the pigs on the load are shedding disease to ensure the trailer is properly disinfected after transport. They should thoroughly clean both the trailer and the tractor, as well as the wash bay to avoid contamination. BP - Emily Croft REMINDER TO PRIORITIZE BIOSECURITY Jodie Aldred photo
Talk to your veterinarian for more information on Merck Animal Health’s vaccines and to determine whether a product is suitable for your animals. Vaccination may not fully protect every animal that gets vaccinated. 1Conditions apply. This offer is only available in Canada. Please visit www.innercirclerewards.ca to read our program terms and conditions. 21 DOSE = 2 mL CIRCUMVENT® is a registered trademark of Intervet International B.V. Used under license. MERCK® is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC. Used under license. © 2024 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. All rights reserved. CA-CRV-240300001 YOU CAN BANK ON US in more ways than one. When you join the Inner Circle Rewards Program, you can earn cash back on every dose of Circumvent® C-M-L, Circumvent® PCV G2 and Circumvent® PCV-M G2 you purchase.1 That’s herd protection you can take to the bank. Register now for FREE at www.innercirclerewards.ca GET A $0.20/DOSE2 REBATE when you purchase Circumvent® C-M-L GET A $0.25/DOSE2 REBATE when you purchase Circumvent® PCV G2 or Circumvent® PCV-M G2
6 Story Idea? Contact Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Pork | June 2024 SQUEAL ON PIGS Wild pigs are no laughing matter. They threaten the environment, destroy pastures, eat crops, and, oh yes, they could also be carrying a fatal pig disease. Since spreading from Europe and Asia to North America, wild pigs have been wreaking havoc across Canada. While the problem is a source of pain for farmers, the nationwide response should be a source of pride. “We have a 10-year strategy that involves working with industry groups and governments to combat the issue,” explains Colleen McElwain, executive director of Animal Health Canada. “One of our chief concerns is the potential for wild pigs to contract African Swine Fever and transmit it to commercial pigs, which could potentially close borders for trade for Canadian producers.” The strategies include tracking wild pigs to establish a baseline, raising awareness of the need to report sightings, and offering advice on removing them from your area. Central to these efforts is collaborating with the Canadian Council on Invasive Species, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and provincial pork boards on a united front. No ‘I’ in ‘team’ This team approach was on full display at the recent Wild Pig Summit in Brandon, MB. Organized by Animal Health Canada’s Emergency Management division, along with Assiniboine Community College and Squeal on Pigs! Manitoba/Manitoba Pork, the event aimed to spotlight the problem of wild pigs in relation to ASF and share best practices on combating them. Canada is also engaging with other countries to find solutions. In 2019, 150 leaders and decision-makers from government and industry from 15 WHILE EACH PROVINCE HAS A DIFFERENT STRATEGY, THEY SHARE A COMMON ENEMY AND GOAL. A TEAM APPROACH TO COMBAT WILD PIGS By GEOFF GEDDES brunok1 - stock.adobe.com
7 Story Idea? Contact Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Pork | June 2024 SQUEAL ON PIGS countries met in Ottawa to share their expertise and generate ideas for dealing with wild pigs and the threat of ASF. Together, they crafted a framework around international collaboration on preparedness planning, improved biosecurity, business continuity, and coordinated risk communications. Frequent fliers? “When we look at how ASF has been moving in Eastern Europe, there are two main routes of transmission,” says Dr. Egan Brockhoff, veterinary counsellor for the Canadian Pork Council (CPC). “One is between commercial herds, and the other is from wild pigs to those herds. Right now, for the latter to happen in Canada, wild pigs would have to get on a plane and fly here, which seems unlikely. But given the stakes, and the other damage wrought by wild pigs, we have to take them seriously.” Complicating the problem further is that wild pigs are notoriously hard to find, contain and control, and even harder to eradicate. With that in mind, some provinces looked south for a solution and found it in the Squeal on Pigs! campaign implemented in Oregon, Washington and Idaho. The program uses an Early Detection Rapid Response approach where the public can report sightings to a phone line and direct organizers to their location. “The concept was fantastic, so Canada began introducing it at the provincial level with support from the Canadian Pork Council (CPC), provincial pork boards and provincial governments,” says Brockhoff. “It is a really useful tool to pinpoint wild pig locations in a region and work on containing and eradicating them.” Alberta was the first province to implement a Squeal on Pigs! campaign in 2020. The truth is out there “Awareness underpins everything, so it’s very important that the public knows wild pigs are out there and the damage they can cause to commercial pigs and crops. Our provincial control effort has been very successful, as reports of these intruders have nearly doubled since it began,” says Megan Evans, executive director of the Alberta Invasive Species Council. The Alberta approach is a shining example of collaboration, including Alberta Pork, the Government of Alberta, the University of Alberta, University of Calgary (U of C), King’s College and Elk Island National Park. “We hired a couple of eradication specialists and engaged landowners and municipalities on the best way to trap wild boars (Alberta uses “wild boars” instead of “wild pigs” in keeping with provincial legislation),” says Charlotte Shipp, industry programs manager with Alberta Pork. “Thus far we have captured 409 wild boars, and the U of C is working to give us a sense of the current picture.” Alberta Pork recently worked with the Province to secure more funding for an eradication method that can be easily scaled up. They are looking at different types of traps and technology, and placing cameras to track the local population of wild boars and gauge the impact of eradication efforts. The organization is also working through the U of C to provide memory cards to commercial producers so they can take images of any sightings and send them in. “The program is only as good as the human witness reports, so we want to facilitate reporting as much as possible,” says Shipp. Anyone spotting a wild boar is encouraged to call 310-FARMS or email wildboar@gov.ab.ca. Alberta Pork follows up on every report and engages with witnesses to understand exactly what they saw and where. Ready, aim, shoot! (with a camera) In Manitoba, the Squeal on Pigs! movement began in 2022 with funding from the Manitoba Pork Council, the Manitoba government and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). “We’ve pulled together a team of four, including three part-time field technicians and a field manager,” explains Dr. Wayne Lees, a veterinarian and coordinator of Squeal on Pigs! Manitoba. Via a large-scale media campaign, the program blanketed Manitoba with print and radio ads to raise public awareness of wild pigs and the multitude of problems they pose. “Apart from damaging the landscape and threatening commercial herds with a host of diseases, they also get into stored feed, eat foods like acorns that other animals rely on, and consume ground-nesting birds,” says Lees. “I even saw a video where they carried off a deer fawn, so it’s clear they will eat almost anything.” As in Alberta, the program encourages public reports of wild pigs through the website www.squealonpigsmb.org or the toll-free number 1-833-SPOT-PIG. That triggers a process in which Squeal on Pigs! Manitoba contacts landowners in the vicinity and sets up a baiting area with a trail camera. If wild pigs show up on the camera, organizers set a trap with the goal of capturing the entire herd. “We really engage landowners in our efforts by giving them access to our cameras on their cellphones,” says Charlotte Shipp Megan Evans Egan Brockhoff Wayne Lees
8 The Trusted Source for Canada’s Pork Producers Better Pork | June 2024 SQUEAL ON PIGS GEOFF GEDDES Geoff is a freelance writer and editor specializing in agriculture. He is based in Edmonton and has written for farm magazines, blogs, websites and social media. Lees. “Once we trap pigs, the owners can remove them or spread more bait for us if needed. “In this way, we can cover the southern half of Manitoba, which is the problem region, with a small field team.” Producers are encouraged to visit www.squealonpigsmb.org , where they can view a map of wild pig sightings, reports from the last couple of years and photos of the damage caused by these creatures. Most importantly, they can complete an online reporting form and submit it directly through the website, where it is then viewed by field staff. The aim’s the same While each province has a different approach to the problem, they share a common enemy and goal. “Alberta and Manitoba have very similar Squeal on Pigs! campaigns, while the approaches in Saskatchewan and B.C. are slightly different,” reports Brockhoff. “That diversity reflects the unique nature of each province’s regulatory framework, financial supports and constraints, and available resources in terms of trapping and removal.” The existence of formal campaigns in the Prairie provinces makes sense given that all three have known wild pig populations. In Ontario and Quebec, where governments are not aware of any current herds, the public is asked to contact the ministry of agriculture in each province with any sighting. Just as collaboration has played a huge role in combating wild pigs to date, it will remain a crucial part of success going forward. “I would like to see information about wild pigs assembled in one place so we can establish a national baseline,” says Colleen McElwain. “That will help inform the conversation among the provinces, provincial pork associations and conservation agencies, as well as Indigenous groups, who are key stakeholders in this issue.” All of those entities hold some information about the problem, so this will help Animal Health Canada to gauge where we are at when it comes to monitoring and trapping wild pig populations. “Any time we make changes around trapping or reporting, having these groups connected sheds some light on whether we are actually reducing the numbers and what else we can do on that front,” explains McElwain. “We really need aggregate information so we can find ways to be innovative and take the right approach in the years to come.” The cooperation among the provincial governments, Ottawa and pig organizations is unprecedented, according to McElwain. That approach has accelerated the process of combatting wild pigs and preventing ASF from reaching our borders. Keeping up to track them down In spite of their size, wild pigs can move quickly, so those that are targeting the animals must keep pace. “We hope to have a new early detection tool in our surveillance program in the near future,” says McElwain. “We also want to foster even more communication among those affected.” Though there is much written about wild pigs, it’s important to separate fact from fiction to avoid alarm. “A lot of media have sensationalized the matter, even calling the creatures ‘super pigs’,” says Lees. “It’s unfortunate to have them labelled that way, as they don’t have capes and can’t fly or leap tall buildings in a single bound; that said, they are very hardy and intelligent. “Our goal is to eliminate them from every province, and it might take a decade, but I think we can do it.” BP Better Farming and Farms.com are accepting applications/resumes for the following position. It’s Farming. And it’s Better. APPLY TODAY TO JOIN OUR TEAM: Paul.Nolan@Farms.com FARMING JOURNALIST New full-time or potential part-time home-based role with popular farming magazine. You love farming and can write engaging, insightful stories about our industry and its farming families. You possess a professional, team-oriented attitude with strong language skills. You are comfortable proofing copy for errors and factchecking for accuracy. You enjoy taking interesting farm photos with your mobile device. If this sounds like you, please let us know!
DESIGN SERVICES FOR FEED MILLS. aggrowth.com/feed SOLUTIONS
10 The Business of Canadian Hog Farming Better Pork | June 2024 DECKERT: RESEARCH OF VALUE Dr. Maria del Rocio Amezcua photo FOCUS ON SOW MORTALITY, HEALTH IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE, & ANTIMICROBIAL USE DECKERT JOINS SWINE FACULTY AT OVC By LILIAN SCHAER, FOR LIVESTOCK RESEARCH INNOVATION CORPORATION Over three decades ago, Dr. Anne Deckert first started working at the Ontario Veterinary College as a summer student for Dr. Bob Friendship. This past February, following his retirement, she returned full-time to OVC when she became an assistant professor and the third swine-focused faculty member alongside Dr. Zvonimir Poljak and Dr. Terri O’Sullivan. “The new role is a balance between teaching the swine components of the veterinary curriculum and undergraduate animal health course, alongside research and supervising graduate students conducting projects,” says Deckert. She grew up on a pig farm and worked as a food animal veterinarian for several years after graduating from OVC before completing a Masters in epidemiology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and returning to OVC as a research associate. Deckert joined the Public Health Agency of Canada as a veterinary epidemiologist in 1999 but kept a
11 The Business of Canadian Hog Farming Better Pork | June 2024 one-day-a-week position at OVC, teaching on-farm. “This helped me stay connected to the pig side of the world, something that I’ve tried to maintain throughout my career,” she adds. “I really like teaching and research and the opportunity to do more of both at OVC was a big attraction for this new position.” While at PHAC, she also studied part-time at OVC for a PhD, which she completed in 2012. Tackling antimicrobial resistance At the Public Health Agency of Canada, Deckert became part of a team that focused on the emerging problem of increased antibiotic resistance and in 2002 launched the Canadian Integrated Program for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance (CIPARS). CIPARS began with three antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance components, as well as monitoring human antimicrobial use, and several targeted research projects. Deckert’s role was managing surveillance at the abattoir level for beef, pork and chicken, and as of 2006, she also became active in farm level surveillance when the on-farm monitoring program for swine was launched. All samples are submitted confidentially through veterinarians to gather samples for antimicrobial resistance testing and anonymous data on antimicrobial use, animal health, demographics and biosecurity. This on-farm component has since been expanded to include poultry as well as feedlot and dairy cattle. “It’s not a traceback program at all, but it lets us get a picture of how antimicrobials are used in Canada, what kind of antimicrobial resistance we’re seeing on pig farms, and how we can help producers use antibiotics efficiently. It’s important work,” she says. Key to the long-term success of the on-farm surveillance program has been the collaborative approach between veterinarians, academia, pork producer organizations, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and provincial governments, which helped the industry understand what the program was trying to achieve. Building a research program Now that she’s returned to OVC, Deckert is working on building her research program. She’s always been interested in sow health, including how the industry can improve piglet management and survival with hyper-prolific sows, as well as dealing with longevity and sow mortality. “What are the risk factors associated with mortality, why are we seeing increases in sow mortality, and why do so many herds struggle with this?” she asks. “There is more to look at there, as far as risk factors and potential interventions.” Another area of focus is the impact of climate change on animal health. For example, as temperatures rise and insect patterns change, what diseases should the industry be aware of, monitoring, and conducting surveillance for that may become an issue? What impacts will the environmental side of climate change have on swine health? “There are a lot of pigs raised in very hot parts of the world, but in Canada we also have to deal with cold, so we need to look at what is being done elsewhere that could work well in the Canadian context in dealing with temperature extremes,” she says. Her final area of focus is connected to her more than two decades of work with antimicrobial resistance – helping the industry use antibiotics in the best ways possible to both maintain effectiveness and address public perception challenges. “We have to use them as smartly as possible so we can have them continue to be a useful solution, which means DECKERT: RESEARCH OF VALUE LILIAN SCHAER Lilian Schaer is an agricultural journalist with over two decades of experience in the Canadian agri-food industry. We appreciate all your comments, along with story ideas on issues you want to see us cover. Paul.Nolan@Farms.com HOW ARE WE DOING?
12 Story Idea? Contact Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Pork | June 2024 helping farmers streamline and minimize use without impacting animal health,” she believes. Getting research into practice At the end of the day, though, all paths lead back to the farm. Regardless of what research priorities she ends up working on, she believes strongly in transferring the results of that work to farmers and industry in a way that is effective and useful so that it can be put into practice where it will make the biggest difference. This means taking the time to understand how people access and process information, and what barriers are keeping people from using research results. “My main goal is to make sure I stay in touch with what the industry needs and can produce research that is applicable and useful, and will help industry navigate the issues, pressures, and challenges it faces,” she says. “That means staying grounded and in touch and understanding what’s needed in a way that is useful to the industry.” BP www.suevia.com Suevia Water Bowls for all Livestock needs DECKERT: RESEARCH OF VALUE LILIAN SCHAER Lilian Schaer is an agricultural journalist with over two decades of experience in the Canadian agri-food industry. Dr. Maria del Rocio Amezcua photo Deckert believes in producing research that's 'applicable and fruitful.'
1-866-267-6255 CALL TO ACCESS FREE, UNLIMITED COUNSELLING Stress on the farm Family or relationships Financial pressure Anxiety or depression Managing your workload Substance use Loneliness or isolation Supporting loved ones Processing traumatic events FREE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR ONTARIO FARMERS, FARM WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES FARMERWELLNESSINITIATIVE.CA SCAN THE BAR CODE TO ADD THE LINE TO YOUR CONTACTS
Heat Stress HOW DO PIGS RESPOND TO HEAT STRESS & WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES? COPING WITH HEAT STRESS By ATTA KOFI AGYEKUM, PHD Jodie Aldred photo Heat-stressed pigs are less active and reduce their feed intake to reduce metabolic heat production and maintain body temperature.
15 The Trusted Source for Canada’s Pork Producers Better Pork | June 2024 Heat Stress Heat stress is no longer an issue limited to tropical regions; countries in temperate regions are also experiencing hotter than usual summer months. In Canada, the warm summer months increase the ambient temperature inside pig barns. When the ambient temperature within pig barns rises above 25 C, pigs will start to experience heat stress (Figure 1). However, ambient temperature is not the only factor that causes heat stress; the relative humidity in the barn can also contribute, such that lower temperatures with high relative humidity can still have a large impact (Figure 1). Why are pigs sensitive to heat stress? Pigs do not sweat well. They have few sweat glands and their skin insulation impedes sensible heat loss, due to its thick subcutaneous fat depth. These factors, coupled with their high basal metabolic heat production and high lean tissue gain (due to intense genetic selection), make pigs particularly sensitive to heat stress, compared to other livestock animals. How do pigs respond to heat stress and what are the consequences? Pigs respond to heat stress through complex physiological and behavioural mechanisms, which have negative consequences for productive efficiency and health (Figure 2). Heat-stressed pigs are less active and reduce their feed intake to reduce metabolic heat production and maintain body temperature. This reduction in feed intake results in reduced growth and feed efficiency. The physiological adjustments to heat stress can disturb the antioxidant status and cell funcHeat stress emergency Heat stress danger Heat stress alert No heat stress 40% 45% 50% 55% 60% 65% 70% 75% 80% 85% 90% 95% 100% Room temp. 35°C 34°C 33°C 32°C 31°C 30°C 29°C 28°C 27°C 26°C 25°C 24°C 23°C 22°C 21°C Relative humidity Figure 1. Heat stress index for grow-finish pigs (Xin and Harmon, 1998)
16 The Business of Canadian Hog Farming Better Pork | June 2024 tion of the body, thereby compromising gut health, decreasing carcass value, and increasing morbidity and mortality. The negative impacts of heat stress on pigs ultimately impact farm profits. Heat stress is estimated to cost the U.S. swine industry more than half a billion U.S. dollars per year (the equivalent of approximately $680,000,000 Canadian; Pollman, 2010). What can we do to help fattening pigs? Fortunately, a variety of strategies can be employed to minimize the negative impact of heat stress during the summer months. These interventions can be grouped into environmental modifications, genetic selection, and nutritional strategies. Several environmental and technical strategies can be employed to help fattening pigs cope with heat stress. These strategies mainly help by reducing or removing heat production and enhancing the pigs’ ability to lose heat. Examples include reducing stocking density, increasing air speed or ventilation rate, spraying fine water drops, barn ceiling and attic insulation, and unlimited access to fresh, clean drinking water. Genetic selection for heat-tolerant pigs may be another possible solution, but it still requires additional research to generate considerable information on its possible side effects on production traits. Nutritional solutions for heat stress in fattening pigs Nutritional strategies may present practical and cost-effective ways for managing the negative effects of heat stress on pig welfare and productivity. Various dietary and feeding approaches aim to reduce the thermic effect of feeding, maintain water and electrolyte balance, maintain nutrient intake, reduce oxidative stress, and improve gut health and function. Reducing the dietary protein and/or fibre, using feedgrade amino acids, and increasing dietary fat can reduce the heat of feed digestion; your nutritionist can make these modifications. Increasing electrolyte intake should also be considered, due to the acid-base imbalance that occurs due to heat stress; this can be achieved by adding salt to feed or drinking water, providing extra sodium, potassium, and magnesium, and using oral rehydration therapies. The intake of dietary sources of antioxidants such as vitamin E, vitamin C, selenium, and polyphenols should be increased as the pig will not be able to produce enough antioxidants to meet its requirements during heat stress. It is also advisable to supplement fattening pigs with specific amino acids (e.g. betaine, glutamine) and minerals (e.g. zinc) that have immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects to minimize “leaky gut” and promote gut health and function (Mayorga et al. 2019). Betaine, a derivative of the amino acid glycine, is one of the most widely studied and commonly used supplements to mitigate heat stress in livestock animals because of its different functions at both the metabolic and gut levels. Betaine is also an organic osmolyte that can stimulate and maintain cellular osmolarity and function during heat stress. Betaine can be synthesized in the body through choline metabolism; however, during heat stress, the amount produced by the body will not be adequate to meet the animal’s requirements. Therefore, supplementing fattening pigs with betaine is one mitigation strategy to consider. Betaine can also be combined with antioxidant-rich feed additives to offer additional support. In a recent research trial, fattening pigs experienced chronic mild to moderate heat stress (29 C) over two periods (days 10 to 42 and 85 to 106). The pigs fed betaine (Selko TNIbetain) and a plant-based antioxidant blend (Selko POmix flavour) across the growing period until slaughter showed a five-point improvement in feed efficiency, without significantly impacting costs (Table 1). This indicates that feed additives such as betaine and antioxidant-rich feed additives should be considered as practical solutions to help fattening pigs cope with heat stress during the hot summer months. BP ATTA KOFI AGYEKUM, PHD Atta Kofi Agyekum, PhD, is a Swine Researcher with Trouw Nutrition North America. Figure 2. Summary of the negative effects of heat stress on pigs Control Betaine + Polyphenol blend FCR, kg/kg Feed cost, $/pig (1) Margin over feed cost (MOFC), $/pig(1) 2.53a 2.48b Baseline -0.77 Baseline +0.83 Table 1. (1) Differences in feed cost and margin over feed cost were not statistically significant (P>0.10) Heat Stress
1. Hickmann FMW., Andretta I. 2021. Front. Vet. Sci. 8:732253. Hemicell, Monteban, Leave it Better, Elanco and the diagonal bar logo are trademarks of Elanco or its affiliates. © 2024 Elanco. PM-CA-24-0233 For more information on this initiative and how Elanco is helping pork producers Leave it Better, visit www.LeaveItBetter.ca Sustainability Resources to Help Pork Producers Inspired by real stories from real farmers and producers, Leave it BetterTM focuses on measurement initiatives to help livestock producers track performance and improvement, collaborate with industry leaders, and bring innovative solutions to customers through new animal health products, expertise and services. As a global leader in animal health, Elanco is privileged to work alongside and support the sustainability efforts of Canadian pork producers with trusted products and resources already delivering real-world impact. Improve Feed Conversion Ratio Monteban® provides an increased rate of growth and improved feed efficiency in swine operations - reducing on-farm feed requirements. Enhance Sustainability Hemicell® allows producers to choose feed ingredients with lower greenhouse gas footprints by increasing available energy.1 Elanco focuses on minimizing the environmental impact of swine feeding systems by providing operations with sustainable and functional feed solutions. Swine Sustainability Solutions
18 Story Idea? Contact Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Pork | June 2024 UP CLOSE In an age when few of us live and breathe our work, the members of Fairlane Colony, Alta. are a breath of fresh air. Honest labour is in their blood, and Steven Waldner is no exception. Located 80 km southeast of Lethbridge, Alta. and established in 1986, this mixed farming operation boasts 37 families, 158 members and a firstrate hog business. Waldner and his crew take great pride in their 360-sow farrow-to-finish operation and the exceptional meat quality they produce. “The pig diets consist of mostly homegrown grains, wheat, and barley,” says Waldner. “We purchase the rest of the micro and macro ingredients from trusted suppliers that have a good quality control program for the ingredients they sell.” As is standard in the colony, Waldner began working at age 15, doing everything from picking rocks to dealing with dairy cows and chickens. It’s a practice that gives members a real breadth of experience and ensures that they know their stuff when it’s time to start a full-blown role. For Waldner, that role was hog boss beginning in 2008. “My oldest and youngest boys work with me on the pork side, while the middle boy helps with the ducks. It’s a good system and a great place to grow up.” Waldner and his wife Laura have been married for 19 years and have three boys and two girls: Aaron (18), Naomi (16), Joas (13), Rylan (10), and Annie (7). Where do you market your hogs? We ship to Maple Leaf in Lethbridge. I believe it is the only federally inspected hot-skin (a unique process that affects meat quality) plant in Canada. Their approach makes for a superior product, as it promotes firmness, good colour, and white fat. What are your roles on the farm? There are three full-time guys in the barn, including myself and two cousins. It’s an older barn, so a fair bit of manual labour is needed. I manage the breeding, marketing, and multi-species on-farm feed mill. I’m also responsible for the sourcing and purchasing of all ingredients, as well as batching and sequencing feed. If anything needs fixing, I tend to that with the help of my co-workers. Describe your office or workshop. It is located right in the feed mill, yet it doesn’t stink, so that’s a plus. I’m not a neat freak, but I try to maintain a ‘EAT MORE PORK!’ No time off, no problem for this Alberta producer. By Geoff Geddes Waldner Family photo Fairlane Colony, Alta.'s Steven Waldner loves feeding the world and raising his family on a farm.
19 Story Idea? Contact Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Pork | June 2024 certain level of cleanliness there and don’t enter wearing my dirty coveralls. What items are on your desk? A pad, some pens, calculator, phone, and computer. What’s your favourite thing about working with pigs? You know what you have to do when you wake up every morning, and it’s never boring. There are new challenges each day that keep things interesting. I’ve always said that working with animals is my biggest motivator. It doesn’t matter what you did the night before or how sick you are – as long as you can walk, you need to get up and feed them, and I enjoy that challenge. I think if I ever arose in the morning and didn’t have that knowledge of what I’d be doing all day, I would really miss it. On the other hand, it is a 365-dayper-year job. Sometimes things can pile up, and it’s nice to get a break by going home to my family. Any novel ways you protect your herd’s health? I don’t know if we do anything unique, but good biosecurity is vital to our business. We only have one entry into the barns, and it is a Danish Entry (a method of controlling the entrance and exit of pathogens at a hog barn with an entrance room that has two sides – “dirty” and “clean” – divided by a solid barrier) that is enforced 100 per cent of the time. We wear separate coveralls for work like loading hogs or unloading trucks and working in the feed mill. Also important is biocontainment, from the standpoint of keeping any health challenges inside the barn and minimizing the spread to the next guy. We change footwear and coveralls between finisher, farrowing and nursery. This keeps younger animals from being exposed to bugs and pathogens from the older population of pigs – something that could overload their compromised immune system. This approach to biosecurity was very helpful in combatting and controlling an endemic flu that we had circulating in our herd three years ago. How do you keep your records? We use SwineBooks, which is a complete record-keeping system for our farrow-to-finish operation. It helps to manage our daily activities, including production and financial reporting. The best thing about farming? Knowing that we are helping to feed the world and having an opportunity to raise our kids, not only on a Hutterite Colony, but also a farm. I always try to be grateful for that, even when life gets tough, as it is a privilege that most people never experience. What do you like least? The fact that there are no days off. UP CLOSE Specialty pellets designed with your sows and bottom line in mind! Great for Electronic Sow Feeders • Pellets that Flow Excellent • Don’t Break up Easily • Stay Similar Load after Load Quality • Very Few Fines • Sows Love Them! Price • Very Competitive Sow Pellets CONTACT KENPAL TODAY! Kenpal Farm Products Inc., 69819 London Rd, RR #1 Centralia, ON, N0M 1K0 Tel: 519-228-6444 • Toll Free: 1-800-265-2904 • Fax: 519-228-6560 kpalen@kenpal.on.ca • www.kenpal.on.ca Lactation Gestation
20 The Trusted Source for Canada’s Pork Producers Better Pork | June 2024 What sort of livestock technology do you use in your barn? Because it is an older barn, we don’t have a lot of technology in there except for ventilation controllers to keep the pigs comfortable. There is no automatic sow feeding, and we have to manually place pigs on the scale; there is nothing robotic. This makes for considerable hand labour, and that’s fine with me, as it keeps me honest and in shape. We also have an AgriAlert System that is capable of notifying us when temperatures go too high or too low in any section of the barn. In 2014, we replaced our hammer mill with a SKIOLD disc mill in the feed mill. This gives us better control of feed particle size by adjusting the gap and speed of the discs, which is done automatically by the software that controls the feed mill (correct particle size is very important, not only for hogs, but for all species). Since we make feed for multiple species, this machine gives us the flexibility to accommodate each animal’s optimum particle size on the fly. We also installed a SKIOLD grain cleaner and dust control system at that time, making feed production highly efficient and of a more consistent quality. Most important lesson you’ve learned? Never give up. Keep doing the right thing every day and, by the grace of God, things always work out. Furthermore, it is important to surround yourself with positive, honest people who have your long-term goals in mind and will help you achieve them. Guiding management principle? I try to teach the guys all the lessons I’ve learned, while still being open to UP CLOSE Information is plentiful in today’s modern world. But as a pork producer, your valuable time is more limited than ever. As much as you might need new information, Better Pork also gives you insight and understanding. We put the information into context, give it theoretical framing and suggest ways to act on it. Better Pork is the discerning farmer’s trusted source for insight, analysis and investigative reporting about Canada’s pork industry. We believe we need to earn your trust, with every magazine. It’s our solemn vow to Canada’s pork producers and ag community. VENTILATION 2020 PRODUCTION AGMANIFEST HOG BARN MANAGERS PRECISION FEEDING Gestation Programs IMPROVING RESILIENCE Research Efforts 16 50 HIGH-FIBRE SOW DIETS *GTF $GPGƓVU PIGLET MORTALITY Preventing Losses 30 34 6 FEBRUARY 2020 $8 The pigs eat homegrown grains, wheat, and barley. Waldner Family photo
21 The Trusted Source for Canada’s Pork Producers Better Pork | June 2024 new suggestions and ways of doing things. But in all of this, the health and welfare of the pigs can never be compromised. What are the biggest farming challenges you face? How have you addressed them? The volatility of the hog market would be a big one. We try and counter this by forward contracting our pigs and watching our input costs. We produce all our own feed, and when we do buy any feed ingredients, we try and time it so we get the best possible price. Another challenge is trying to ensure that all members of the pork value chain share equally in the value of the pig. Producers often seem to get the short end of the stick, and working towards a solution for that is something near and dear to my heart. What are the most exciting opportunities in the industry? The advancements in research that help us to better understand pigs and ensure animal welfare. Technologies like automatic sow feeding and breakthroughs in genetic potential are game changers for the industry. In terms of opportunities away from the farm, I joined the Alberta Pork board of directors last year and am really enjoying it. The other board members and staff have been very helpful, I’m learning quite a bit, and I get a chance to meet interesting, smart people out there while helping to move the industry forward in a positive way. How do you define success? Being able to lay my head on the pillow at night knowing I did the best I could. Being at peace with the person I am and knowing that I treated people with respect. My family is a great source of pride and something I never take for granted. Watching my kids grow up and become good, happy people is rewarding. If you weren’t a farmer, what do you think you’d do for a living? I have no idea. Farming is the only thing I have ever done. How do you support your mental health during challenging times? Church, and being with my family. Being born and raised on a Hutterite Colony makes for a strong support system. What was your most memorable crop/production year? Financially, it was 2014 when PED hit. It was a detriment for many producers when their herds contracted the virus, but for those farms that remained PED-free, it was a very profitable year. From a production standpoint, our best year was 2023 after we got that awful flu under control, made some management changes, and achieved better gilt selection. The big things matter, but so do the INSIDE THE HELIX A Podcast from DNA Genetics. When economic times are tough, you need a sow that consistently outperforms expectations. The DNA Line 241 will save you money with industry-leading feed conversion. Whether through feed intake or feed conversion in gestation, our maternal line is the solution you’re looking for. Especially during times where every dollar matters. Visit with an account representative to learn how you can achieve the biggest bang for your buck. FEED CONVERSION MATTERS. WHEN TIMES ARE TIGHT, dnaswinegenetics.com UP CLOSE
22 The Business of Canadian Hog Farming Better Pork | June 2024 little ones, and covering all our bases paid off in a big way. What’s your top goal personally and professionally? Personally, to continue to learn and grow as a person, and be a good role model to my kids and the younger generation. Professionally, to do my part to make this industry better so my kids can have the opportunity to raise pigs and farm like I have. If you could send a message to non-farmers, what would it be? Do not believe everything you read. There are so many misconceptions out there, yet nobody cares more than us about the animals we raise and the land we farm. It is our livelihood, so it only makes sense from that perspective, and ethically it is the right thing to do. Oh yes, and one other thing: Eat more pork! BP Intermittent mode is NOT available for iOS. MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE. The PigCHAMP Mobile allows for remote data entry of PigCHAMP Reproductive information while providing basic reporting functionality and validation to users. This allows users to interact directly with PigCHAMP Online or Client Hosted PigCHAMP. NEW functionality for mobile is intermittent connectivity, allowing use in areas with limited internet capabilities. FEATURES › In-barn data validation › Optional intermittent connectivity › Bluetooth-enabled RFID function › Bar code scanning › Real-time data The Agri-Alert system keeps tabs on the barn's temperature. Waldner Family photo UP CLOSE
As we enter our second half century, it is a pleasure to welcome all producers and industry representatives, exhibitors, sponsors, and volunteers to the 51st Ontario Pork Congress. Please let us take a moment to acknowledge the dedication and hard work of the countless volunteers who have been the backbone of the Ontario Pork Congress for over five decades. Their unwavering commitment has enabled us to evolve, adapt, and remain at the forefront of the pork industry’s advancements. And as with all volunteer organizations we ask that if you would like to volunteer a few hours and make new connections please let us know at admin@porkcongress.on.ca The show has gone through many changes and realignments to ensure that we are able to continue to adapt. With a secure financial foundation along with technology-based formats for everything from volunteer communication and collaboration, show mapping and booth assignments, automatic customer invoicing, with payment and sales tax tracking to bookkeeping and banking. As well as rewriting and updating the by-laws which govern the operations of the organization. Allowing us to stay in compliance with the CRA and other government mandates. While our focus remains to serve the Ontario pork producers and Industry, giving back in many ways throughout each year. The Ontario Pork Congress has always been a platform for innovation, education, and camaraderie, and this year is no exception. Our agenda is packed with exciting events and activities designed to cater to every interest and palate. From the Bacon Maker Classic live show to the educational Pork Quality competition, from the culinary delights of the Taste the Best event to the Pig roast served in the beer tent each afternoon after the show Welcome to the 51st Ontario Pork Congress! June 19 & 20, 2024 | STRATFORD ROTARY COMPLEX BBQ Lunch, prepared by the Perth County Pork Producers. Free with your paid admission of $20. OPC BOOTH - 2-E28 23 Better Pork | June 2024 Promotional Supplement Welcome to OPC 2024
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc0MDI3