A series of feeding trials planned for the Prairie Swine Centre will demonstrate to pork producers how feed can be used more efficiently.
A researcher with the Prairie Swine Centre says, by placing different objects in the pen, pork producers will be providing an outlet that will stimulate the pig’s natural desire to seek out food, to root and to explore.
The manager of technology transfer with the Saskatoon based Prairie Swine Centre says ensuring the correct feeder adjustment will minimize feed waste while maintaining the productivity of the swine herd.
A research scientist with the Prairie Swine Centre reports changes to Canada’s Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs has fueled an increased interest in the implications of transitioning from conventional stall housing of gestating sows to group housing.
Research conducted on behalf of Swine Innovation Porc indicates sows housed in groups will perform better when mixed according to parity.
The president and CEO of the Prairie Swine Centre says thanks to improved profitability in 2014 pork producers are in a much better position to consider investing in swine barn upgrades and repairs.
A researcher with the Prairie Swine Centre says one of the biggest challenges in converting to loose sow house has been familiarizing the animals with the use of electronic sow feeding systems.
The president and CEO of the Prairie Swine Centre says pork producers have a variety of options available for enriching the physical and social environments of their pigs.
A nutritionist with the Prairie Swine Centre reports boosting the fibre content of the diets fed to group housed sows during gestation can help reduce levels of hunger related aggression.
A nutritionist with the Prairie Swine Centre says, by adjusting the rations of the sow to account for changing nutritional requirements during pregnancy, the farmer can improve her performance while at the same saving on feed costs.
