Sainfoin seeds as protein source for weaned piglets - a new utilization of a long-known forage legume

Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) has been used as a forage legume for centuries and is also popular for use as green manure in some Austrian regions, but so far the protein-rich seeds have not been utilized as a feedstuff. As part of the EU Core Organic ll research project ICOPP (Improved contribution of local feed to support 100% organic feed supply to pigs and poultry), sainfoin seeds have recently been tested as a protein source for weaned piglets. The protein-rich components of the control diet were peas and soybean cake, which were substituted by sainfoin seeds in the experimental diets H (10% sainfoin seeds), D 10 and D 16 (10 and 16% dehulled sainfoin seeds, respectively; as fed basis). Neither feed intake and body weight gain nor feed conversion ratio differed between treatments. This leads to the conclusion that sainfoin seeds can be used as a protein source for piglets just as well as peas and soybean cake

Arzneimitteleinsatz zur Steuerung des Reproduktionsgeschehens in der biolo-gischen Ferkelproduktion

Under the rules of the EU Regulation 2092/91 “…the use of hormones or similar substances to control reproduction (e.g. induction or synchronisation of oestrus), or for other purposes, is prohibited. Nevertheless, hormones may be administered to an individual animal, as a form of therapeutic veterinary treatment.” This article tries to explain the difference between veterinary treatment and zootechnic measures in organic pig production such as synchronisation of oestrus and shows critical control points for the inspection body to improve the quality of inspection visits

Phytotherapeutische Behandlung einer Influenza-Infektion in einem Bioschweinebetrieb - Fallbericht

In spring 2006 an outbreak of swine influenza occurred in a small organic pig farm. Sows, fatteners and suckling piglets were affected. Due to the good farming conditions and optimal veterinary care, animals were treated with phytotherapeutic remedies solely, antibiotics and antipyretics were not applied. Infusions of Species pectorals and macerate of Radix Altheae were administered for 7 days. The animals recovered within a few days. None of the animals died. Reports from the slaughterhouse showed sporadic cases of lung alterations especially caused by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. Phytotherapeutic treatment was effective, even so recommendations can only be given for farmers with good housing conditions and the willingness for optimal animal care

Erfahrungen mit der intravenösen Allgemeinanästhesie mittels Ketamin/Azaperon bei der chirurgischen Ferkelkastration

In Austria male piglets are routinely castrated to prevent sexual odor ("boartaint"). European stakeholders of agriculture assume that surgical castration of pigs without anesthesia could be banned by 2018. The aim of this research work is to determine the practicability of piglet castration by intravenous injection method. In total, 353 piglets were castrated at an average age of about 24 days. In the course of investigations, the initial dose was increased slightly. The quality of castration was assessed during castration based on defensive movements and vocalization of piglets. Piglets received a weight-dependent application of the anesthetic (mg/kg) and after castration they were separated in the creep area for about one hour. There was a difference between the two doses. Independent of the dose 97 % of the piglets were assessed excellent or satisfying concerning anesthesia and overall assessment of the castration. The costs of drug vary, depending on weight from 15 to 20 cents/kg live weight and the vet bills amount to € 2/piglet

Eignung von gekeimten Ackerbohnen für die Bio-Ferkelaufzucht

Faba Beans contain certain non-nutritive compounds that can reduce digestibilty and palatabilty in rations for weaner pigs. Germination has been reported to reduce those components. The feeding trial took place with 160 weaner pigs that were assigned to one out of four diets with either 19 % pea (KGER), 16 % raw faba bean (KGAB), 16 % germinated faba bean (VG16) or 24 % germinated faba bean (VG24). Faba beans were germinated for 4 days. Most of the essential amino acids decreased due to germination, the pattern relative to lysine remained the same. There were no significant differences in live weight on day 8, 15, and 22. At the end of the trial live weight of VG24 was significantly reduced as compared to KGAB and KGER, but not to VG16. There were no significant differences in feed intake between the treatments. It was possible to feed germinated faba beans in amounts up to 240 g * kg FM-1 without major reduction in feed intake, although live weight and daily weight gain were reduced. Under the circumstances of this study and considering the effort related to the process, germination cannot be recommended for improving the nutritive value of faba beans for feeding of weaner pigs

Rationierte Fütterung und Eichenrindentee als Prophylaxemaßnahmen bei Absetzferkeldurchfall

In der Biologischen Landwirtschaft werden Ferkel mindestens 40 Tage mit natürlicher Milch ernährt. Durchfall ist eine typische Reaktion auf sich verändernde Bedingungen nach dem Absetzen. Eichenrinde enthält kondensierte Gerbstoffe und kann zur Durchfallprophylaxe eingesetzt werden. Rationierte Fütterung hält den pH Werte im Ferkelmagen niedrig und verhindert so die Passage und das Wachstum krankmachender Escherichia coli Keime. In der vorliegenden Untersuchung wurden 148 Ferkel in 4 Gruppen unterteilt. Die Gruppen lauteten: rationiert ohne Tee (r/o), rationiert mit Tee (r/t), ad libitum ohne Tee (a/o) und ad libitum mit Tee (a/t). Den Tieren der Tee-Gruppen wurde täglich 1/2 l Eichenrindentee angeboten. Die Ferkel wurden wöchentlich gewogen. Der Kot der Tiere wurde an den Tagen 4-8 nach dem Absetzen hinsichtlich Konsistenz beurteilt (0=fest, 1=breiig, 2=flüssig). Die Lebendmasse am Ende des Versuches unterschied sich nicht zwischen den Gruppen (p=0,869). Die Futterverwertung war in den restriktiv gefütterten Gruppen besser als in den ad libitum versorgten Gruppen. Gruppe r/t zeigte bessere Ergebnisse im Kotscore als Gruppe a/o am Tag 8 (p=0,025) nach dem Absetzen. Eichenrindentee in Kombination mit rationierter Fütterung konnte die Kotkonsistenz positiv beeinflussen, was mit den Einzelmaßnahmen nicht gelang

Esparsetten- und Platterbsensamen als Schweinefuttermittel

Als Teil des EU-Forschungsprojekts ICOPP (Verbesserung der Versorgung von Schwein und Geflügel mit regional erzeugtem 100 % Bio-Futter) wurden in Österreich 2012 zwei Fütterungsversuche durchgeführt, in denen ungeschälte (10 %) und geschälte (10 und 16 %) Esparsetten-Samen, rohe (20 %) und hydrothermisch behandelte (=getoastete, 20 und 30 %) Platterbsen-Samen an Aufzuchtferkel verfüttert wurden. Der Rohprotein- und Lysingehalt von ungeschälten Esparsetten- und Platterbsen-Samen entspricht in etwa dem von Futtererbsen. Der Anteil der schwefelhältigen Aminosäuren Methionin und Cystein im Protein der Esparsetten-Samen aber ähnelt viel eher dem Sojakuchen und ist deutlich höher als in Platterbsen-Samen und Futtererbsen. Esparsetten-Samen erwiesen sich im Fütterungsversuch als wertvolles eiweißreiches Futtermittel für Aufzuchtferkel, mit dem man Futtererbsen und Sojakuchen zumindest teilweise ersetzen kann. Da sie aber bisher nicht als Futtermittel gehandelt werden, kann nur einen Verwertung von Samen aus eigener Produktion empfohlen werden. Bei Verfütterung von getoasteten Platterbsen-Samen unterschieden sich Futteraufnahme und Lebendmasseentwicklung der Ferkel nicht von der Kontrollration, 20 % rohe Platterbsen in der Ration hingegen führten zu deutlichen Leistungseinbußen. Daher wird empfohlen, Platterbsen vor der Verfütterung an Aufzuchtferkel zu toasten

To toast or not to toast – Grass peas for weaned piglets

In organic pig production, supply with high-quality protein-rich feeds is tense. As part of the EU Core Organic II research project ICOPP (Improved contribution of local feed to support 100% organic feed supply to pigs and poultry), in 2012 a feeding trial with grass peas fed to weaned piglets was conducted. The grass pea (Lathyrus sativus) is a hardy grain legume that produces seeds with crude protein contents between 200 and 300 g kg-1. Unfortunately it contains the neurotoxin ODAP, which causes nerve damage in farm animals as well as humans. Since ODAP is water-soluble and susceptible to heat, hydrothermal treatment (=toasting) greatly reduces toxicity. In the feeding trial, four experimental diets were fed to a total of 144 piglets: One control diet, one diet containing 20% raw grass peas and two diets with toasted grass peas (20 and 30%, respectively). Data were analysed using proc glm (feed intake) and proc mixed (body weight) of SAS 9.1. Feed intake did not differ (on average 731 g day-1), but feeding 20% raw grass peas had significant negative effects on body weight gain: While the diets containing toasted grass peas resulted in body weight gain similar to the control diet (on average 395 g day-1), piglets fed raw grass peas grew much slower (292 g day-1) and consequently feed conversion ratio was significantly higher (2.28 versus 1.96 kg feed kg-1 weight gain in the control group). Therefore toasting of grass peas prior to feeding to weaned piglets is recommended

Untersuchungen zum Vorkommen von Leptospiren-, Toxoplasmen- und PRRSV-Antikörpern sowie von Salmonellen und Spulwurmeiern auf österreichischen Bioschweinebetrieben

In Austria, 80.000 organic fattening pigs are raised on 13% out of all pig production farms. Consumer expectations regarding animal health and welfare and meat quality are particularly high for organic products (Baumgartner et al. 2003). Health problems in organic pig farming are often related to the outdoor area, exposing the animals to bacterial and parasitic agents. In this study, data about zoonotic agents as, Leptospira ssp., Toxoplasma gondii and Salmonella were collected. Infections by the Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) and Ascaris (A.) suum were also investigated. The study included 59 organic farms in Austria. Blood samples and one faecal group sample from pigs of each farm were taken at the slaughterhouse. Leptospira antibodies were found in all investigated herds. The most frequent serovars were Bratislava with 29%, Icterohämorraghiae with 21% and Canicola with 5%. In 29 herds antibodies against T. gondii were detected at least in one pig. The seroprevalence of PRRSV was 46% of the farms. Only one farm was positive for Salmonella infantis. In 70% of the faecal samples A. suum eggs were found

Parakeratose in einem biologisch wirtschaftenden Schweinemastbetrieb

Due to the supplementation of zinc to their diets, Parakeratosis is rarely found in pigs. On an organic farm in Austria a farmer altered the pig’s fattening diet and omitted mineral supplementation from the diets. Three weeks later skin alterations were seen. After the administration of tetracyclin and Ivomec-premix by a veterinarian the skin abnormalities failed to improve and the pig’s feed intake decreased markedly. The veterinarian diagnosed parakeratosis. After administration of zincoxid feed intake increased. 6-8 weeks after treatment the pig`s skin alterations disappeared and health was restored