Abstracts - Facilities and equipment

The spatial distribution of large-scale pig farms corresponds with that of commercial pig breeds, and spatial analysis indicated that these were concentrated in lowland urban or peri-urban areas, close to means of transportation.

Very few studies about the impact of microbial cleaning and administration during production on the environment in animal houses is available. Our results showed that competitive exclusion by probiotic type bacteria is not a valuable alternative for classical C&D.

Of 30 environmental samples collected from a nursery room on our initial visit, 2 (7%) samples yielded 3 isolates: 2 ST 218 Escherichia coli and 1 Proteus mirabilis, carrying the metallo-β-lactamase gene blaIMP-27 on IncQ1 plasmids.

Prolonging the vacancy period in nursery units to 10 days after disinfection with no extra biosecurity measures has no impact on the environmental load of total aerobic flora, E. coli, faecal coliforms, MRSA and Enterococcus spp..

Findings suggest that concentrated swine feeding operations amplified transmission of influenza during years in which H1N1 was circulating.

The current study demonstrated that the expression of some piglet-directed behaviour was influenced by the system in which a gilt was born and reared.

The current study demonstrated that the farrowing system design can influence sow behaviour, with pens allowing for more interactions between sows and their piglets.

Deep-litter system composed of 60% sawdust and 40% rice husk was the most suitable with regard to reduction of environmental pollution.

Piglet pre-weaning mortality (PWM) is one of the major reproductive components that affects herd productivity in the swine industry.

These findings promote an improved biosecurity status at pig farms and are of relevance in the discussion on alternative ways to keep animals healthy with a reduced necessity of antimicrobials.

Radiant heating behind the sows reduced hypothermia in new-born piglets and indicate that providing heat during the first half hour after birth is important.

Our results indicate that during outbreaks of IAV in swine, aerosols and surfaces in barns contain significant levels of IAV potentially representing an exposure hazard to both swine and people.

Under study conditions, a high-pressure wash with cold water plus application of an accelerated hydrogen peroxide or a combined glutaraldehyde and quaternary ammonium disinfectant is effective at inactivating PRRSV.

The present study emphasizes the need for both training of the laboratory staff in monitoring HCCP in routine semen production and audits in such AI centers for the external control of hygiene parameters.

Pre-weaning mortality (especially crushing by the sow) is higher in piglets raised in a multi-litter (ML) system until 9 weeks of age than in piglets raised in a single-litter (SL) system.

Our results suggest that at least at the chosen stocking densities, parity and space allocation have minimal effect on a number of commonly-used welfare measures.

The objective of this research is to characterize air contaminant concentration and variability associated with differing swine rearing practices.

It appears that nest-building behaviour in prepartum sows could be enhanced by the provision of nesting materials. This, coupled with elevated oxytocin and prolactin concentrations, could result in improved postpartum nursing performance and maternal behaviour in early lactating sows.

Keeping group-housed gestating sows on partly straw bedded floor with permanent access to the concrete feeding stalls compared to fully straw bedded floor did not significantly influence animal performance and NH3-emissions, and decreased CO2eq-emissions.

In conclusion, our study confirms that high temperature reduces feed intake, growth performance, and HP.

The study assess the effects of the month, slaughter house of destination, length of the journey, and temperature–humidity index on mortality of heavy slaughter pigs during transport and lairage.

Farms that use living animals for the exposure to gilts during the acclimatization and farms that had increased number of weaned piglets per sow and year were less likely to test positive for M. hyopneumoniae and less likely to develop clinical symptoms of EP in fattening pigs.

The results obtained at the commercial growing-finishing farms show that in uncontrolled conditions the water disappearance and manure production are significantly influenced by the drinker type.

Biosecurity is a useful measure to promote the reduction of antimicrobial use in the pig industry.