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Guan R, Zheng Z, Yu H, Wu L, Huang H, Jiang P, Li X. Identification of factors affecting fattening efficiency of commercial pig herds and analysis of their impact at different performance levels. Sci Rep 2024; 14:20105. [PMID: 39209973 PMCID: PMC11362584 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-70900-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Improving fattening efficiency is an important goal of breeding commercial pigs, especially for the large-scale pig farms. Fattening efficiency index (FEI) can be used to evaluate the fattening efficiency. The aim of this study was to identify the factors affecting the fattening efficiency of commercial pigs in large-scale pig farms and further study the impact of these factors on the production performance of commercial pig batches at different production levels. The data of 9,570 batches was mainly consisted of four parts (farm facilities, general information of piglets, production performance of nursery pigs and finishing pigs). A total of 28 variables were evaluated by the multi-variable linear regression models. The differences in production factors significantly correlated with FEI at piglets-finishing stage were compared among high-performing (HP), moderate-performing (MP), and low-performing (LP) batches of commercial pigs during the nursery and finishing stage. Among the 28 variables, 18 were significantly correlated with fattening efficiency (P < 0.05), including 11 continuous variables and seven discrete variables. The significant differences among the 11 consecutive variables in the HP, MP, and LP batches of commercial pigs mostly persisted from the piglets-nursery stage to the growing-finishing stage, ultimately affecting the FEI at piglets-finishing stage. For the seven significant discrete variables, the HP batches had a lower proportions in owned source of piglets, number of the purchasing piglets in spring and winter, number of batches in the East and North regions and five-way crossbred pigs, while a higher proportions in the use of closed circuit television video (CCTV) and wastes treatment system. The fattening efficiency of commercial pigs in large-scale pig farms was comprehensively affected by farm facilities, piglets, and production performance at nursery and finishing stage. The low fattening efficiency may have started at the end of nursery stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Guan
- Shandong New Hope Liuhe Group Co., Ltd., No. 592-26, Jiushui East Road, Laoshan District, Qingdao, 266000, Shandong, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Diagnostics and Immunology, Ministry of Agriculture, MOE International Joint Collaborative Research Laboratory for Animal Health & Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, China
- College of Animal Science, Xichang University, Xichang, 615012, China
| | - Zhiwei Zheng
- Shandong New Hope Liuhe Group Co., Ltd., No. 592-26, Jiushui East Road, Laoshan District, Qingdao, 266000, Shandong, China
| | - Hai Yu
- Shandong New Hope Liuhe Group Co., Ltd., No. 592-26, Jiushui East Road, Laoshan District, Qingdao, 266000, Shandong, China
| | - Lili Wu
- Shandong New Hope Liuhe Group Co., Ltd., No. 592-26, Jiushui East Road, Laoshan District, Qingdao, 266000, Shandong, China
| | - He Huang
- Shandong New Hope Liuhe Group Co., Ltd., No. 592-26, Jiushui East Road, Laoshan District, Qingdao, 266000, Shandong, China.
| | - Ping Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Diagnostics and Immunology, Ministry of Agriculture, MOE International Joint Collaborative Research Laboratory for Animal Health & Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Xiaowen Li
- Shandong New Hope Liuhe Group Co., Ltd., No. 592-26, Jiushui East Road, Laoshan District, Qingdao, 266000, Shandong, China.
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Wang X, Wen Q, Wu H, Peng W, Cai K, Tan Z, Na W, Wu K. Effect of Sex on Intestinal Microbial Metabolites of Hainan Special Wild Boars. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:2164. [PMID: 39123691 PMCID: PMC11310994 DOI: 10.3390/ani14152164] [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: 05/18/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The intestinal microbiota and its metabolites are essential for the health and growth development of animals. Current research indicates that sex has a certain impact on the structure and function of the intestinal microbiota, but there are few reports on sex differences in intestinal microbiota metabolites, including those of castrated male animals. This study aimed to explore the impact of sex on the intestinal microbial metabolites of Hainan special wild boars (10 entire male pigs, 10 female pigs, and 10 castrated male pigs, denoted EM, FE, and CM, respectively) by employing non-targeted metabolomics and gas chromatography. A total of 1086 metabolites were detected, with the greatest number of differential metabolites observed between EM and FE (54 differential metabolites, including 18 upregulated and 36 downregulated metabolites), the fewest between CM and FE (7 differential metabolites, including 1 upregulated and 6 downregulated metabolites), and an intermediate number between CM and EM (47 differential metabolites, including 35 upregulated and 12 downregulated metabolites). Differential metabolites were involved in more pathways between EM and FE and between CM and EM, including amino acid metabolism and digestive system pathways, whereas differential metabolites were involved in the fewest pathways between CM and FE. Correlation analysis showed Ruminococcaceae UCG-009, uncultured_bacterium_o_SAR324_cladeMarine_group_B, and Candidatus Saccharimonas contributed to the production of metabolites such as trehalose, docosatrienoic acid, D(-)-beta-hydroxy butyric acid, and acetyl-DL-leucine. The levels of acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, isobutyric acid, valeric acid, and isovaleric acid were significantly higher in EM than in FE, with CM falling between the two. Streptococcus, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group showed a significant positive correlation with the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), while [Eubacterium]_coprostanoligenes_group, uncultured_bacterium_f_p-251-o5 and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005 showed a significant negative correlation with the generation of SCFAs. This study provides foundational data and significant insights into precision feeding strategies for Hainan special wild boars of different sexes, as well as the study of sex differences in intestinal microbial metabolites in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaozhe Wang
- School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Danzhou 571737, China; (X.W.); (K.W.)
- Sanya Institute, China Agricultural University, Sanya 572024, China
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Department of Companion Animal Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Qiong Wen
- School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Danzhou 571737, China; (X.W.); (K.W.)
- Wuhan Xiangda Feedstuff Co., Ltd., Wuhan 430045, China
| | - Hongfen Wu
- School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Danzhou 571737, China; (X.W.); (K.W.)
| | - Wenchuan Peng
- School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Danzhou 571737, China; (X.W.); (K.W.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Keqi Cai
- School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Danzhou 571737, China; (X.W.); (K.W.)
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518124, China
| | - Zhen Tan
- School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Danzhou 571737, China; (X.W.); (K.W.)
| | - Wei Na
- School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Danzhou 571737, China; (X.W.); (K.W.)
| | - Kebang Wu
- School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Danzhou 571737, China; (X.W.); (K.W.)
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Segura J, Calvo L, Escudero R, Rodríguez AI, Olivares Á, Jiménez-Gómez B, López-Bote CJ. Alleviating Heat Stress in Fattening Pigs: Low-Intensity Showers in Critical Hours Alter Body External Temperature, Feeding Pattern, Carcass Composition, and Meat Quality Characteristics. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1661. [PMID: 38891708 PMCID: PMC11171127 DOI: 10.3390/ani14111661] [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: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Heat stress is a significant environmental problem that has a detrimental impact on animal welfare and production efficiency in swine farms. The current study was conducted to assess the effect of low-intensity showers, provided during critical high-temperature hours daily, on body external temperature, feeding pattern, and carcass and meat quality characteristics in fattening pigs. A total of 400 animals (200 barrows and 200 gilts) were randomly allotted in 40 pens. A shower nozzle was installed over 20 pens (half barrows and half gilts) where pigs received a low-intensity shower for 2 min in 30 min intervals from 12 to 19 h (SHO group). Another group without showers was also considered (CON). Feeder occupancy measurement, thermographic measures, and carcass and meat quality parameters were studied. In the periods with higher environmental temperatures, SHO animals showed an increase in the feeder occupancy rate compared to the CON group. A decrease in temperature was observed after the shower, regardless of the anatomical location (p < 0.005). The treatment with showers led to higher values than in the CON group of 4.72%, 3.87%, 11.8%, and 15.1% for hot carcass weight, lean meat yield, and fat thickness in Longissimus Dorsi (LD) and Gluteus Medius muscles, respectively (p < 0.01). Pork from CON showed a 14.9% higher value of drip loss, and 18.9% higher malondialdehyde concentration than SHO (p < 0.01); meanwhile, intramuscular fat content was 22.8% higher in SHO than in CON (p < 0.01). On the other hand, the CON group exhibited higher L* (2.13%) and lower a* and b* values (15.8% and 8.97%) compared to the SHO group. However, the pH20h of the CON group was significantly lower than that of the SHO group (p < 0.001), indicating a softer pH decrease. Related to fatty acids in subcutaneous outer and inner layers and intramuscular fat, the CON group showed higher ΣSFA and lower ΣMUFA and Δ9-desaturase indexes than SHO (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the amelioration of heat stress through showers at critical times should be considered an interesting tool that improves both carcass and meat quality, as well as animal welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Segura
- Food Technology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Av. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (L.C.); (B.J.-G.)
| | - Luis Calvo
- Food Technology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Av. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (L.C.); (B.J.-G.)
- Incarlopsa, N-400, Km 95.4, 16400 Tarancón, Spain;
- Animal Production Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Av. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (R.E.); (Á.O.); (C.J.L.-B.)
| | - Rosa Escudero
- Animal Production Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Av. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (R.E.); (Á.O.); (C.J.L.-B.)
| | - Ana Isabel Rodríguez
- Incarlopsa, N-400, Km 95.4, 16400 Tarancón, Spain;
- Animal Production Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Av. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (R.E.); (Á.O.); (C.J.L.-B.)
| | - Álvaro Olivares
- Animal Production Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Av. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (R.E.); (Á.O.); (C.J.L.-B.)
| | - Beatriz Jiménez-Gómez
- Food Technology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Av. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (L.C.); (B.J.-G.)
- Incarlopsa, N-400, Km 95.4, 16400 Tarancón, Spain;
| | - Clemente José López-Bote
- Animal Production Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Av. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (R.E.); (Á.O.); (C.J.L.-B.)
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Ludwiczak A, Kasprowicz-Potocka M, Zaworska-Zakrzewska A, Składanowska-Baryza J, Rodriguez-Estevez V, Sanz-Fernandez S, Diaz-Gaona C, Ferrari P, Pedersen LJ, Couto MYR, Revilla I, Sell-Kubiak E. Husbandry practices associated with extensification in European pig production and their effects on pork quality. Meat Sci 2023; 206:109339. [PMID: 37716226 DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2023.109339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
This review has been developed as part of the mEATquality project with the main objective to examine the types of extensification practices used in European pig husbandry and their effect on intrinsic meat quality. Literature search has resulted in 679 references in total, from which 53 showed a strict compliance with the goals of this review: 1) the use of local European breeds and their crossbreds (22 papers); 2) addition of forage to diet (9 papers); 3) increased space allowance (3 papers); 4) enrichment of environment (19 papers). The evaluation of selected extensification factors showed that not all of them have a clear impact on meat quality, and are often confounded. The most clear differences were observed when comparing autochthonous with commercial breeds, and systems with access to pastures or woodlands vs. indoor housing. Despite many studies focusing on the extensification of husbandry practices, some of the factors cannot be confirmed to have a direct effect on pork intrinsic quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Ludwiczak
- Department of Animal Breeding and Product Quality Assessment, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Słoneczna 1, Suchy Las 62-002, Poland.
| | | | - Anita Zaworska-Zakrzewska
- Department of Animal Nutrition, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wołyńska 33, Poznań 60-637, Poland.
| | - Joanna Składanowska-Baryza
- Department of Animal Breeding and Product Quality Assessment, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Słoneczna 1, Suchy Las 62-002, Poland.
| | - Vicente Rodriguez-Estevez
- Department of Animal Production, International Agrifood Campus of Excellence (ceiA3), University of Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, Córdoba 14014, Spain.
| | - Santos Sanz-Fernandez
- Department of Animal Production, International Agrifood Campus of Excellence (ceiA3), University of Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, Córdoba 14014, Spain.
| | - Cipriano Diaz-Gaona
- Department of Animal Production, International Agrifood Campus of Excellence (ceiA3), University of Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, Córdoba 14014, Spain.
| | - Paolo Ferrari
- Research Centre for Animal Production (CRPA), Viale Timavo, 43/2, Reggio Emilia 42121, Italy.
| | - Lene Juul Pedersen
- Department of Animal Science, Aarhus University, Blichers Allé 20, Tjele 8830, Denmark.
| | | | - Isabel Revilla
- Food Technology Area, University of Salamanca, Escuela Politécnica Superior de Zamora, Avda. Requejo 33, Zamora 49022, Spain.
| | - Ewa Sell-Kubiak
- Department of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wołyńska 33, Poznań 60-637, Poland.
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Sanz-Fernández S, Díaz-Gaona C, Borge C, Quintanilla R, Rodríguez-Estévez V. Multi-Criteria Evaluation Model of Management for Weaned Piglets and Its Relations with Farm Performance and Veterinary Medicine Consumption. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3508. [PMID: 38003126 PMCID: PMC10668820 DOI: 10.3390/ani13223508] [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: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Weaned piglets, being immature, demand careful handling to mitigate post-weaning stress in order to avoid immunosuppression and the use of antimicrobials to palliate the effects of disease outbreaks due to poor management. The objective of this work is to design a quick scan calculator or multi-criteria evaluation model of management for weaned piglets, founded on 10 critical indices covering post-weaning management aspects based on hygienic measures and management of facilities and animals. These include pre-weaning handling, batch management, biosecurity, water management, feed management, health program, stockmen training, temperature, ventilation, and floor conditions and density to relate handling and hygiene practices with farm performance and the consumption of veterinary medication. Each index carries a maximum score of ten, with evaluations derived from different management factors that make up each index (from three to eight factors were evaluated per index). Their cumulative score reflects the degree of adequacy of on-farm management. Therefore, a perfectly managed farm would achieve 100 points. The calculator underwent testing on 23 intensive farms with a total population of close to 16,000 sows and more than 400,000 weaned piglets, revealing the highest mean scores in floor conditions and density (8.03 out of 10) and pre-weaning handling and health programs (6.87 and 6.28, respectively). Conversely, the lowest scores corresponded to temperature, ventilation, water management, and stockmen training (4.08, 4.32, 4.81, and 4.93, respectively). The assessed farms averaged a global score of 56.12 out of 100 (from 37.65 to 76.76). The calculator's global score correlated with key post-weaning productivity and piglet health indicators, such as the feed conversion ratio, mortality rate, and piglet production cost, with r values of -0.442, -0.437, and -0.435, respectively (p < 0.05). Additionally, it negatively correlated with medication costs per piglet (r = -0.414; p < 0.05) and positively with annual farm productivity (r = 0.592; p < 0.01). To enhance management, hygiene, and prevention, farms should prioritize addressing indices with the lowest scores, thereby reducing medication consumption and enhancing productivity and health outcomes. Additionally, this quick scan calculator can be used for benchmarking purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santos Sanz-Fernández
- Department of Animal Production, UIC Zoonoses and Emerging Diseases (ENZOEM), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, International Agrifood Campus of Excellence (ceiA3), University of Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Cipriano Díaz-Gaona
- Department of Animal Production, UIC Zoonoses and Emerging Diseases (ENZOEM), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, International Agrifood Campus of Excellence (ceiA3), University of Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Carmen Borge
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, International Agrifood Campus of Excellence (ceiA3), University of Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Raquel Quintanilla
- Animal Breeding and Genetics Program, Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), 08140 Caldes de Montbui, Spain
| | - Vicente Rodríguez-Estévez
- Department of Animal Production, UIC Zoonoses and Emerging Diseases (ENZOEM), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, International Agrifood Campus of Excellence (ceiA3), University of Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
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A New Approach to Detecting and Measuring Changes in the Feeding Behaviour Habits of Group-Housed Growing–Finishing Pigs. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12121500. [PMID: 35739837 PMCID: PMC9219459 DOI: 10.3390/ani12121500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary It is known that feeding behaviour habits (FBHs) influence growing–finishing pigs’ performance and are modified by production conditions on a group scale. However, no methods are available to describe the evolution of the FBHs at the individual level over short- or long-term periods. This work presents two methods, i.e., repeatability (ratio between animal and total variance) and a new non-parametric approach named “maintenance”, which provides information at the individual level by typifying the individuals into classes and quantifying (%) the pigs that show similar FBHs. Both concepts were applied to six consecutive 14-day periods, throughout two trials of group-housed growing–finishing pigs under different environmental conditions and fed different physical feed forms (mash and pelleted). Both repeatability and maintenance indexes showed similar but not identical results, since they provide complementary information at the global and individual levels, respectively. The results indicate that the environmental conditions and physical feed form modified the repeatability and maintenance of most FBHs, except for the average daily feed intake. Moreover, since maintenance provides data at the individual level, this may be an interesting approach in further studies, for example, to analyse the influence of pen hierarchy on FBHs. Abstract The present work aims to estimate the methods of repeatability and of a new non-parametric approach based on typifying individuals into classes and quantifying (%) the pigs in a group that show similar feeding behaviour habits (FBHs) in consecutive periods (“maintenance”). Both methods were estimated over six consecutive 14-day periods in two trials of group-housed growing–finishing pigs (n = 60 each). The first trial started in summer and ended in autumn, and pigs were fed a pelleted diet (HT-P). The second trial started in spring and ended in summer, and the same diet was fed mash (TH-M). The average daily feed intake obtained the lowest repeatability and maintenance values, and it progressively decreased as pigs grew, independent of environmental conditions or physical feed form, whereas the maintenance and repeatability of the number of feeder visits and the visit size decreased when environmental conditions changed from temperate to hot, and mash-fed pigs had higher maintenance and repeatability values for the time spent eating than pellet-fed pigs. In conclusion, the new approach (maintenance) is a tool that is complementary to the classic repeatability concept and is useful for analysing the evolution of FBHs across periods of time at the individual level.
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