Early Weaned Pig Performance in Hoop Structures During Early Summer

Four groups of early weaned pigs (19 days of age) from the ISU Southwest Swine Research Farm, Atlantic, IA were delivered to the Hoop Research Complex at the ISU Rhodes Research Farm, Rhodes, IA, in late May and early June 1998. Three groups of pigs (n=552) were placed in three (30–ft × 60 ft) deep bedded hoop structures. The fourth group (n=159) was placed in a mechanically ventilated modular confinement building with total slatted floors. Pig performance was good for both housing systems. During the 26-day trial, hoop pigs ate 14% more feed than the confinement pigs (P\u3c.004). The average daily gain (ADG) for the 26-day trial was (26%) more for the hoop pigs than those in confinement (P\u3c.004). The 0−14 day gain-to-feed ratio was higher for the hoop pigs (P\u3c.03) than the confinement pigs. Mortality was very low (3 of 711). By starting early weaned pigs in hoops during the spring and fall, weanto-finish production may be an acceptable strategy for producers with hoop structures

Effect of Housing System and Physical Environment on Post-Weaning Pig Performance

A study was conducted to document the physical environment and growth performance of nursery pigs in hoop structures compared with pigs reared in confinement nurseries. A series of six trials involving a total of 1,440 nursery pigs were conducted at two Iowa State University research farms from December 1999 to August 2000. Regardless of season, the confinement pigs grew faster and consumed more feed than pigs in hoop structures for the first 2 weeks post-weaning. Both housing systems experienced similar growth rates for the last 3 weeks of the trial. Both housing systems experienced similar ADFI and feed efficiencies for weeks 4 and 5. Overall, the confinement pigs grew faster, consumed more feed and were less efficient than pigs in hoop structures (P\u3c.05) during the winter season. Overall the confinement pigs grew faster (P\u3c.05), consumed more feed (P\u3c.05), and experienced similar feed efficiencies as the pigs in hoop structures during the spring season. Overall, the confinement pigs experienced growth rates, consumed more feed and were less efficient than pigs in hoop structures (P\u3c.05) Hoop structures can be used as nursery facilities throughout the various seasons. The first 2 weeks postweaning proved to be a very critical time in getting the pigs acclimated to the hoop structures. After this period, they experienced growth rates similar to the pigs in confinement. Further trials with adjustments made for the bedding, heat source, hovers, feeders, and management may improve the growth performance over that seen in these trials

Performance of Pigs in a Swedish, Bedded Group Lactation and Nursery System

In the 1980s, Swedish swine producers were forced to develop several production models to remain profitable due to the strict legal policies facing the swine industry. By 1994, approximately 150 Swedish farms were using a sustainable model for pig production. This model, a deep-bedded, group housing system for pregnant, farrowing, and nursing sows and their litters, was known as the Västgömodel. Ljungström and Thorstensson are two versions of the Västgömodel system. In the Ljungström system, sows farrow in conventional pens and are moved with their litters to group nursing rooms after the pigs are 10 to 14 days old. In the Thorstensson system, sows farrow in group nursery rooms in temporary wooden farrowing boxes, which are removed after the pigs are 7 to 10 days old and have begun to climb out of the boxes. Group lactation ensues

Evaluation of a Distillers Dried Grain Derivative Feedstuff on Performance of Nursery Pigs

The study evaluated two levels of distillers dried grain derivative (DDGD) (2 and 4% of the total diet) compared with a control diet (0%) on pig growth performances. Thirty-two nursery pigs (22 days of age) were individually housed in stainless steel pens. The pens were located in a clean, environmentally controlled room. The pigs were allowed to consume one of the three diets ad libitum during the 28-day trial. The pigs were fed a phase I diet for the first 14 days of the trial and phase II diet for the remaining 14 days. There were no major positive or negative cumulative effects on ADG, ADFI, and G:F when feeding DDGD at 2 and 4% during a 28-day trial. Additional Performance trials would help elucidate the optimal role of DDGD in nursery pig diets

Demonstration of an annual forage crop integrated with crop and livestock enterprises

Using a more diverse cropping system, such as strip intercropping, to produce forages for feeding livestock can create a more sustainable, environmentally friendly farming system. Strip intercropping of corn, soybeans, and oats underseeded with berseem clover was used to demonstrate agronomic and environmental benefits of a more varied cropping system. This system produces oat/ berseem clover soilage (green-chop) that can be utilized to feed beef cattle

Triticale-based Diets for Market Pigs in Deep-Bedded Hoop Barns: A Progress Report

Triticale-based diets were fed to pigs in deep-bedded hoop barns for a swine feeding study. Finishing pigs (240 head) were used to evaluate the dietary effects of triticalebased diets. The experiment was a randomized complete block design. There were four blocks (two summer, two winter); each block had three dietary treatments, with two replications per treatment. Each replication consisted of a pen of ten pigs (five barrows and five gilts). Addition of triticale up to 80% of the diets for finishing pigs greater than 160 pounds to market weight in deepbedded hoop barns, compared with a corn-soybean meal diet, resulted in pigs that weighed slightly less, grew similarly, needed more feed per unit of liveweight gain, had more backfat and slightly smaller loin eye areas. Feed intake appeared to increase as triticale inclusion increased. Preliminary review of pork quality characteristics indicates no dietary effects. There may be several factors that lead to these results. Because triticale-based diets are less energy dense than corn-based diets, pigs will compensate by consuming more feed. Although growth rate was similar for the experimental diets, pigs consuming triticale based-diets required more feed per liveweight gain. More research is warranted in this area

Organic Pork Production: A Two-litter Pasture Farrow-to-Finish Budget

The production of organic pigs and its profit potential depend on many factors. The main factors are the amount of feed required and price of feed. The amount of feed required is dependent on the genetics, management, and the health of pigs. Under organic regulations, pigs must be raised without synthetic parasite control and will probably develop parasites. This will slow the rate of gain, and increase required feed; thereby lowering feed efficiency. The price of organic feeds is higher than conventional feeds. Based on current organic feed prices and feed efficiency of approximately 4 lb feed/gain, the breakeven cost of production was calculated to be $55/cwt live