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Little EA, Dunkelberger J, Hanson D, Eggert J, Gonda MG, MacNeil MD, Dee S. Comparison of differences in performance between pigs whose sires were identified using different selection strategies after experimental infection with PRRSV. Transl Anim Sci 2024; 8:txae128. [PMID: 39296530 PMCID: PMC11408270 DOI: 10.1093/tas/txae128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate differences in the performance of offspring of boars selected with an index emphasizing resilience and boars selected based on a traditional index, emphasizing feed efficiency and carcass quality (traditional) index vs. a customized (resilience) index. The resilience index was identical to the traditional index, except that extra emphasis was placed on piglet vitality (increased by 66%), growth rate (decreased by 14%), and feed intake (increased substantially by 5,157%). Sows were mated to either boars selected based on the resilience index or boars selected on the traditional index. Weaned offspring were vaccinated for Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) and experimentally infected with PRRSV RFLP 1-7-4 four weeks later. Offspring were allocated to pens (n ~ 27 pigs/pen; n = 27 pens/group) by sire-selection group for a total of 1,458 pigs in 54 pens. The weight of each pen was recorded on 0, 42, and 110 d postinfection (DPI) and used to calculate average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Mortalities were recorded from 0 to 110 DPI and necropsies were routinely performed to characterize pathogens present within the barn. Pigs classified as full value (i.e., >104 kg and void of defects) were slaughtered and hot carcass weight (HCW), backfat, loin depth, and lean weight were obtained from the slaughter plant. Effects of progeny group on performance, carcass characteristics, and mortality rate were estimated with a mixed linear model. Differences between progeny groups in ADG (P > 0.27), HCW (P = 0.68), backfat (P = 0.13), or loin depth (P = 0.39), and mortality rate (P = 0.29) were not detected. From 0 to 42 DPI, offspring of boars selected based on the resilience index had higher ADFI (0.06 kg/d, P = 0.01) and higher FCR (0.12, P = 0.01). In summary, results from this study do not support selection of boars for increased feed intake, piglet viability, and robustness in order to prevent losses caused by PRRSV, but selection response was only measured after one generation of male selection. The impact of multiple generations of selection, or the development of an index including traits derived from data collected under disease-challenged conditions should be explored. The data collected for this study are a valuable resource to explore additional genetic selection strategies for enhanced resilience to a multifactorial PRRS challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin A Little
- Pipestone Applied Research, Pipestone, MN 56164, USA
| | | | - Daniel Hanson
- Pipestone Applied Research, Pipestone, MN 56164, USA
| | - John Eggert
- Topigs Norsvin USA, Burnsville, MN 55337, USA
| | - Michael G Gonda
- Department of Animal Science, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007, USA
| | - Michael D MacNeil
- Delta G, Miles City, MT 59301, USA
- Department of Animal, Wildlife and Grassland Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Scott Dee
- Pipestone Applied Research, Pipestone, MN 56164, USA
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Floridia V, Giuffrè L, Giosa D, Arfuso F, Aragona F, Fazio F, Chen C, Song C, Romeo O, D'Alessandro E. Comparison of the Faecal Microbiota Composition Following a Dairy By-Product Supplemented Diet in Nero Siciliano and Large White × Landrace Pig Breeds. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2323. [PMID: 37508100 PMCID: PMC10376647 DOI: 10.3390/ani13142323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The current study compared the faecal microbiota composition of two pig breeds (autochthonous vs. commercial) to understand what happens after the integration of liquid whey in the diet and what the role of the host genetic is. The trial was conducted for 60 days, and the faecal microbiota composition was investigated at three time points, T0, T1 (after 30 days) and T2 (after 60 days) in 30 female pigs (20 commercial crossbred and 10 Nero Siciliano pigs). The animals were divided into four groups (two control and two treatment groups). Generally, in both breeds, Firmicutes (51%) and Bacteroidota (36%) were the most abundant phylum whereas Prevotella, Treponema and Lactobacillus were the most abundant genera. The two breeds have a different reaction to a liquid whey diet. In fact, as shown by PERMANOVA analysis, the liquid whey significantly (p < 0.001) affects the microbiota composition of crossbreeds while not having an effect on the microbiota of the Nero Siciliano. Despite this, in both breeds Bifidobacterium and Ruminococcus have been positively influenced by liquid whey and they promote intestinal health, improve immunity, increase performance, and feed efficiency. In conclusion, the integration of liquid whey had a different effect on the Nero Siciliano and crossbred pig breeds, emphasizing the importance of the host genetic profile in determining the faecal bacterial composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Floridia
- Animal Production Unit, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Palatucci 13, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Letterio Giuffrè
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Domenico Giosa
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Francesca Arfuso
- Animal Production Unit, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Palatucci 13, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Francesca Aragona
- Animal Production Unit, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Palatucci 13, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Francesco Fazio
- Animal Production Unit, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Palatucci 13, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Cai Chen
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Chengy Song
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Orazio Romeo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Enrico D'Alessandro
- Animal Production Unit, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Palatucci 13, 98168 Messina, Italy
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Stygar AH, Chantziaras I, Maes D, Aarestrup Moustsen V, De Meyer D, Quesnel H, Kyriazakis I, Niemi JK. Economic feasibility of interventions targeted at decreasing piglet perinatal and pre-weaning mortality across European countries. Porcine Health Manag 2022; 8:22. [PMID: 35650652 PMCID: PMC9158370 DOI: 10.1186/s40813-022-00266-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Piglet perinatal and pre-weaning mortality is a welfare problem causing economic losses in pig production. In this study, the effects of housing and management interventions on the economic result of sow enterprises representing six European countries (Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, The Netherlands and Spain) were tested. Interventions concerned: (1) installing mechanical ventilation, (2) re-designing of the gestation unit, (3) drying and warming newborn piglets, (4) providing enrichment for gestating sows, including high-fiber dietary supplementation and point-source objects, and (5) music provision and backscratching of sows in the farrowing unit. A bio-economic model was used to determine the effects of interventions on economic outcomes during the nursery phase and to calculate a maximum cost of 1%-point reduction in perinatal and pre-weaning mortality, irrespective of the intervention type. Biological parameters were set according to previous observational and experimental studies. Interventions 1-4 were expected to decrease perinatal mortality, defined as stillbirths and deaths occurring within the first 48 h of postnatal life. Intervention 5 was expected to decrease pre-weaning mortality. Interventions increased fixed (1-3) and variable costs (3-5). We hypothesized that housing and management interventions would have a positive economic effect. RESULTS Piglet mortality can be decreased in various ways. Interventions concerning ventilation and re-designing of the gestation unit (1 and 2) were the most beneficial in countries with low housing costs and high perinatal mortality. Drying and warming newborn piglets (3) resulted in varying economic results, with the highest increase in profits obtained in a country with low labor costs and high litter size. Interventions providing sows with enrichment and human-animal interaction (4 and 5) were effective across varying conditions. Regardless of intervention type, policies aiming at 1%-point reduction in perinatal and pre-weaning mortality could cost from €0.2 to €0.5 (average €0.4) and from €0.4 to €0.5 (average €0.5) per piglet, respectively, depending on productions conditions. CONCLUSIONS To decrease piglet mortality, farmers should consider low input interventions, such as those targeting appropriate behavior. Our results suggest that providing enrichment or increasing human-animal interaction pays off and brings positive economic result even when piglet mortality is marginally reduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna H Stygar
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Bioeconomy and Environment, Latokartanonkaari 9, 00790, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Ilias Chantziaras
- Unit of Porcine Health Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Dominiek Maes
- Unit of Porcine Health Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | | | | | - Hélène Quesnel
- PEGASE, INRAE, Institut Agro, 35590, Saint-Gilles, France
| | - Ilias Kyriazakis
- Institute for Global Food Security, Queen's University, Belfast, BT7 1NN, UK
| | - Jarkko K Niemi
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Bioeconomy and Environment, Kampusranta 9, 60320, Seinäjoki, Finland
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Monteiro ANTR, Brossard L, Gilbert H, Dourmad JY. Environmental Impacts and Their Association With Performance and Excretion Traits in Growing Pigs. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:677857. [PMID: 34235205 PMCID: PMC8255482 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.677857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The selection of pigs for improved production traits has been, for a long time, the major driver of pig breeding. More recently, because of the increasing concern with the environment, new selection criteria have been explored, such as nitrogen (N) excretion. However, many studies indicate that life cycle assessment (LCA) provides much better indicators of environmental impacts than excretion. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate, using a modeling approach, the relationships between production traits and LCA impacts of individual growing pigs calculated at the farm gate for 1 kg of body weight gain. Performances of pigs were simulated for 2-phase (2P) and precision feeding (PR), using the InraPorc population model (on 1,000 pigs). Nitrogen excretion was positively correlated with feed conversion ratio (FCR; r = +0.96), climate change (CC; r = +0.96), acidification potential (AC; r = +0.97), eutrophication potential (EU; r = +0.97), and land occupation (LO; r = +0.96), whatever the feeding program. However, FCR appeared to be a better indicator of LCA impacts, with very high and positive correlations (r > +0.99) with CC, AC, EU, and LO for both feeding programs. The CC, AC, and EU impacts of pig production for PR feeding were 1.3, 10, and 7.5% lower than for 2P, respectively, but the correlations within each outcome were very similar among feeding programs. It was concluded that the use of FCR as a selection criterion in pig breeding seems to be a promising approach to associate improved performance and low environmental impact of pig fattening.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hélène Gilbert
- GenPhySE, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, INPT, ENSAT, Castanet-Tolosan, France
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Gallo L, Dalla Bona M, Cecchinato A, Schiavon S. Effect of growth rate on live performance, carcass and green thigh traits of finishing Italian heavy pigs. ITALIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/1828051x.2017.1318037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Gallo
- Dipartimento di Agronomia, Animali, Alimenti, Risorse Naturali e Ambiente, University of Padova, Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - Mirco Dalla Bona
- Dipartimento di Agronomia, Animali, Alimenti, Risorse Naturali e Ambiente, University of Padova, Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - Alessio Cecchinato
- Dipartimento di Agronomia, Animali, Alimenti, Risorse Naturali e Ambiente, University of Padova, Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - Stefano Schiavon
- Dipartimento di Agronomia, Animali, Alimenti, Risorse Naturali e Ambiente, University of Padova, Legnaro (PD), Italy
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Analyses of body weight patterns in growing pigs: a new view on body weight in pigs for frequent monitoring. Animal 2017; 12:295-302. [PMID: 28735585 DOI: 10.1017/s1751731117001690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Frequent BW monitoring of growing pigs can be useful for identifying production (e.g. feeding), health and welfare problems. However, in order to construct a tool which will properly recognize abnormalities in pigs' growth a precise description of the growth process should be used. In this study we proposed a new model of pig growth accounting for daily fluctuations in BW. Body weight measurements of 1710 pigs (865 gilts and 843 barrows) originating from five consecutive batches from a Danish commercial farm were collected. Pigs were inserted into a large pen (maximum capacity=400) between November 2014 and September 2015. On average, each pig was observed for 42 days and weighed 3.6 times a day when passing from the resting to feeding area. Altogether, 243,160 BW measurements were recorded. A multilevel model of pig growth was constructed and fitted to available data. The BW of pigs was modeled as a quadratic function of time. A diurnal pattern was incorporated into the model by a cosine wave with known length (24 h). The model included pig effect which was defined as a random autoregressive process with exponential correlation. Variance of within-pigs error was assumed to increase with time. Because only five batches were observed, it was not possible to obtain the random effect for batch. However, in order to account for the batch effect the model included interactions between batch and fixed parameters: intercept, time, square value of time and cosine wave. The gender effect was not significant and was removed from the final model. For all batches, morning and afternoon peaks in the frequency of visits to the feeding area could be distinguished. According to results, pigs were lighter in the morning and heavier in the evening (minimum BW was reached around 1000 h and maximum around 2200 h). However, the exact time of obtaining maximum and minimum BW during the day differed between batches. Pigs had access to natural light and, therefore, existing differences could be explained by varying daylight level during observations periods. Because the diurnal amplitude for pig growth varied between batches from 0.9 to 1.4 kg, BW monitoring tools based on frequent measurements should account for diurnal variation in BW of pigs. This proposed description of growth will be built into a monitoring tool (a dynamic linear model) and applied to farm data in future studies.
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Stygar AH, Kristensen AR. Monitoring growth in finishers by weighing selected groups of pigs - A dynamic approach. J Anim Sci 2016; 94:1255-66. [PMID: 27065286 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2015-9977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Application of BW monitoring methods for the whole batch of pigs is not common in commercial herds. Instead, farm managers may regularly weigh a chosen subset of pigs (observed group) and use the obtained information for monitoring, forecasting, and decision support. The objective of this study was to construct a model for growth monitoring and forecasting in pig fattening herds and use the developed model framework to quantify the value of information on BW. The dynamic process of pig growing was described by means of a dynamic linear model (DLM) with Kalman filtering. For this study, data from 9 fattening cycles with the total registration for 9,800 pigs were used. The variance components were estimated by fitting a mixed-effects linear model on selected BW measurements. The obtained model was evaluated on its performance in forecasting the number of pigs ready to deliver from the whole batch and from a particular pen given the level of information on a reference data set consisting of 2 batches (Batch 3 [B1] and Batch 4 [B2]). Scenarios with a different frequency of observations (only 1 selected week, every second week, or weekly) on individual and aggregated levels for an observed group comprising 1 pen (36 pigs, which constitute 7.5% of pigs in a batch) or 2 pens (15.5% of pigs) were analyzed. Moreover, results with only initial herd information and insertion BW at the batch, pen, and pig level were presented. The model can be used for growth monitoring of the batch and for prediction of the number of pigs ready for slaughter in a given week (i.e., with a BW exceeding a threshold, which, in this study, is set to 105 kg). With an increased level of information, both accuracy (measured by the mean absolute deviation [MAD] of actual number of pigs above 105 kg from predicted number) and precision (measured by CV) of the model continue to improve. When monitoring all pigs at insertion and the observed groups every week (15.5% of pigs) compared with predictions based on only initial herd information, the MAD between the observed and predicted number of pigs above 105 kg in a single pen decreased by 1.4 and 2 pigs whereas CV was reduced by 147 and 78% for B1 and B2, respectively. The DLM was able to detect variation between pens already at insertion; therefore, data on initial BW had high value for the prediction procedure. Moreover, the aggregation had a marginal effect on model performance.
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