Spatial distribution of soil phosphorous fractions following 1-year farrowing sows in an outdoor hog-rearing farm in Eastern Canada

Outdoor hog-rearing operations are of interest for both producers and consumers due to high product quality, animal welfare status, and low input and potential environmental risks. However, hog manure is rich in phosphorus (P), an environmentally sensitive nutrient, and distribution of different P fractions down the soil profile in these production systems is not well understood. The objective of this study was to determine the spatial variability of soil P in different soil depth intervals following 1-year outdoor farrowing sows in a 0.5-ha paddock in cold-temperate climate of Eastern Canada. Soil samples were collected with 0-15, 15-30, and > 30 cm depth intervals (up to 60 cm or the depth that sampling was possible) in grazing/rooting, feeding, wallow, and farrowing hut areas. Soil samples were analyzed for Olsen P (P_ol), organic P (P_O), and total P (P_T). Areas with more frequent presence of hogs showed 45-80% greater P_ol concentrations, and movement of soluble P_O down the soil profile was higher in these areas compared with the grazing/rooting area. The P_O formed 80% of P_T throughout the paddock, and the spatial distribution of P_O was similar to P_T in all soil depth intervals but different from P_ol. Results also showed that P_O concentrations in the paddock decreased at > 30 cm depth except for the feeding area. Findings of this study reveal that farrowing sow cycle in an outdoor hog-rearing farm setting can result in hot spots of P, which enhance the risk of environmental pollution.

The patient presenting with 'acopia'

Patients may be referred to Acute Medical Units (AMUs) with a diagnosis of 'acopia'. This term is offensive and lazy, implying fault on the part of the patient and allowing the assessing doctor to erroneously label the patient as a 'social admission' when, in fact, such patients are likely to be frail with co-morbidities and have an acute (potentially reversible) illness. Frail older patients should be assessed using the principles of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment, informed by an understanding of the concept of frailty and of geriatric syndromes such as falls and delirium.