1999 Nebraska Swine Report

This publication was prepared by the staff in Animal Science and cooperating Departments for use in Extension, Teaching and Research programs. It deals with the results that were done in reproduction, genetics, breeding, health, nutrition, economics and housing of swine

1996 Nebraska Swine Report

This publication was prepared by the staff in Animal Science and cooperating Departments for use in Extension,Teaching and Research programs. It deals with the results that were done in reproduction, breeding, health, nutrition, economics and housing of swine

Shoulder Ulcers in Sows

A literature review was conducted on shoulder ulcers in sows. Shoulder ulcers are caused by pressure that the shoulder blade exerts against tissues that overlie it. Those issues lose blood supply and die. Because the pressure is directed outward, tissue damage occurs before the ulcer is evident on the skin surface. Ulcer prevalence is highly variable; 0 to more than 20% of the sows in 218 herds evaluated had shoulder ulcers. Ulcers usually develop during late gestation and early lactation and many heal shortly after weaning. Numerous risk factors for developing shoulder ulcers have been identified. Inactivity and thin sow body condition seem to be the most important ulcer risk factors. Thus, farrowing caretakers may be able to prevent ulcers by carefully monitoring each sow’s lying behavior and attempting to fix any problem that restricts movement. Checking the gestation and lactation feeding programs to ensure that sows enter the farrowing area in proper body condition also may prevent ulcers. Experience from Denmark indicates a pad fixed to the shoulder of sows at the first sign of redness in the skin may prevent ulcers too. Sows starting to develop an ulcer benefit from treatment of underlying issues that cause inactivity, daily application of a topical disinfectant, early weaning and movement to a hospital pen, or a rubber mat to lie on in the farrowing crate. Close observation and appropriate care of sows especially around the time of farrowing should keep the incidence of shoulder ulcers low in the pork industry

2004 Nebraska Swine Report

This publications was prepared by the staff in Animal Science and cooperating Departments for use in Extension, Teaching and Research programs. It deals with the results that were done in reproduction, breeding, health, genetics, nutrition, economics and housing of swine

1999 Nebraska Swine Report

This publication was prepared by the staff in Animal Science and cooperating Departments for use in Extension, Teaching and Research programs. It deals with the results that were done in reproduction, genetics, breeding, health, nutrition, economics and housing of swine

2005 Nebraska Swine Report

This publication was prepared by the staff in Animal Science and cooperating Departments for use in Extension, Teaching and Research programs. It deals with the results that were done in reproduction, breeding, health, genetics, nutrition, economics and housing of swine

1997 Nebraska Swine Report

This publication was prepared by the staff in Animal Science and cooperating Departments for use in Extension, Teaching and Research programs. It deals with the results that were done in reproduction, breeding, health, nutrition, seconomics and housing of swine

1998 Nebraska Swine Report

This publication was prepared by the staff in Animal Science and cooperating Departments for use in Extension, Teaching and Research programs. It deals with the results that were done in reproduction, breeding, health, nutrition, economics and housing of swine

Teeth Clipping — Have You Tried to Quit?

Results from several experiments were reviewed to collect information on the value of piglet “needle-teeth” clipping. The incidence of facial and udder lesions generally is increased when teeth are left intact. However, there is no evidence that these lesions affect piglet mortality or weaning weight. Thus, based on the conditions of these experiments, there is no strong justification for teeth clipping. Many producers have abandoned teeth clipping. Besides saving labor, they report having fewer poor doing piglets and joint infections that can result from teeth clipping. Some producers have tried to stop clipping, but because of greasy pig disease problems they have resumed. Producers who have not tried to stop clipping are advised to clip only half of the litters in a few farrowing groups and observe for possible problems