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Showing posts from January, 2020

Evaluating the piglet grimace scale

Animal Science master's degree student Maria Lou and her Advisor Yuzhi Li are conducting research on the piglet grimace scale. The grimace scale identifies and assesses changes in facial expression when an animal is experiencing acute pain. This non-invasive method, along with the application of photogrammetry technology, provides a more detailed, 3D image of piglets. The goal of this project is to identify and recognize pain in pigs in order to help improve pain management and welfare. Watch the "Evaluating the piglet grimace scale" video to listen to Maria talk about her research project.

Streptococcus equi subsp.

Case study from Dr. Matheus Costa, UMN in collaboration with Dr. Brad Lage, Maple Leaf Agri-Farms and originally posted on the UMN Swine in Minnesota blog. Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (S. zooepidemicus) is considered a commensal and opportunistic pathogen of several warm-blooded hosts, including humans, horses, different canines and swine. It can cause severe disease characterized by pneumonia, septicemia and meningitis (1, 2). S. zooepidemicus has been suggested as a normal inhabitant of the palatine tonsils of pigs, being detected by both culture and high-throughput sequencing in samples collected from healthy animals (3). However, strains virulent to pigs have also been reported in the literature, particularly associated with high-mortality outbreaks of sudden death and respiratory disease in China (4). In April 2019 an outbreak of sudden death and abortions occurred in 4 loose-housed, commercial sow farms (approximately 9000 sows) in a large vertically integrated swine

Feeding the 2019 crop: Quality issues to consider

By Jason Ertl, Ag Production Systems Extension Educator in Nicollet and Sibley counties Originally printed in THE LAND - December 13/December 20, 2019 It’s no secret that crop producers in the upper Midwest faced numerous climatic challenges this past year. Snowstorms well into April led to a wet spring and delayed planting, and as we inched closer to harvest season, the question on everyone’s mind was whether or not the crop had reached physiological maturity. This concern became especially evident in the region’s corn crop, as late planted and those perpetually wet fields resulted in some higher harvest moistures and lighter test weights. When other harvest complications are added into the mix, such as LP shortages or weather-related delays, the risks related to grain quality and contamination become of greater importance. Since nearly 60-70 percent of the US crop is destined for feed, the implications of decreased feed quality could influence a large number of livestock produce

Register for 2020 PorkBridge and SowBridge Programs

Don't have a lot of time to attend a seminar or conference, but are still interested in staying current with new research and management techniques in the pork industry? PorkBridge and SowBridge programs allow owners, managers and employees to increase their knowledge and skills without needing to leave the comfort of their home or farm office. Both programs are distant education programs combining a presentation viewed on a computer with live presentations delivered by teleconference from topic experts at a scheduled time or via a recording if unable to participate during the scheduled time. The difference in the two programs is the audience they are aimed at.

Podcast: Conversations around African Swine Fever

Recently the At the Meeting...Honoring Dr. Bob Morrison  podcast released its latest episode talking about African Swine Fever (ASF). In the podcast, University of Minnesota Professor Dr. John Deen shares updates on the ASF situation, progress made in the search for a vaccine and the optimism he felt during a visit to China. Access the podcast through the UMN Swine in Minnesota blog post.

MN Pork Congress January 28-29

Be sure to visit the University of Minnesota's swine group booth at MN Pork Congress January 28 - 29. MN Pork Congress is an annual event sponsored by the Minnesota Pork Producers Association and held at the Minneapolis Convention Center. A number of seminars are held throughout the 2-day event.

Recently published by Swine team members

Congratulations to the following swine faculty and educators from the Swine Extension Team who have had their work published recently. Fung, L., Urriola, P. E., & Shurson, G. C. (2019). Energy, amino acid, and phosphorus digestibility and energy prediction of thermally processed food waste sources for swine. Translational Animal Science, 3(2), 676-691. doi: 10.1093/tas/txz028. Kerr, B., Urriola, P. E. , Jha, R., Thomson, J. E., Curry, S. M., Shelby, M., & Shurson, G. C. (2019. Amino acid composition and digestible amino acid content in animal protein by-product meals fed to growing pigs. Journal of Animal Science, 97(11), 4540-4547. doi: 10.1093/jas/skz294. Jang, J. C., Zeng, Z. K., Shurson, G. C., & Urriola, P. E. (2019). Effects of gas production recording system and pig fecal inoculum volume in kinetics and variation of in vitro fermentation using corn distiller's dried grains with solubles and soybean hulls. Animals, 9(10). doi: 10.3390/ani100773.

Women in Ag Network's 5th Annual Conference

You're invited to University of Minnesota Extension's 5th Annual Women in Ag Network Conference is February 4, 2020. This year's theme is Celebrating Agriculture: Together We are One. When: February 4, 2020 - Registration at 8:45 a.m.; Conference from 9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Where: Willmar Conference Center (240 23rd St. SE, Willmar, MN 56201) Cost: The early bird rate is $50 through January 21, 2020. After that date, regular registration is $65 through January 28th. Late registration is $80 and accepted until February 4th. Register for the Women in Ag Network's 5th Annual Conference by clicking here ( z.umn.edu/2020WAGNConferenceReg )

Episode 14: Comparative digestibility of polysaccharide-complexed zinc and inorganic zinc in diets for gestating and lactating sows

Sarah Schieck, swine Extension educator talks to recent University of Minnesota Animal Science graduate student Julia Holen about research she did as part of her master’s degree. Specifically, this research compared digestibility of polysaccharide-complexed zinc and inorganic zinc in diets for gestating and lactating sows. The research highlighted in this podcast was funded by QualiTech and completed at the University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center in Morris, MN. Listen to the podcast: z.umn.edu/PodcastEpisode14   recorded August 14, 2019 Learn more about research featured in the podcast Published in Journal of Animal Science