Swine Feed Efficiency: Influence of Particle Size

The primary energy sources in swine diets are cereal grains. Feed accounts for 70% of the cost of production in a swine operation; thus any improvement in feed efficiency will have a huge impact on cost of production

Influence of Farrowing Crate Design on Sow Productivity: A Demonstration Project

This demonstration project studied the differences in farrowing crate designs and the survival of piglets. Three basic crate designs were studied: crates with hydraulic side rails, crates with solid rod finger side rails, and freestall crates. Crates with hydraulic sides in this study had more pigs born alive, had fewer pigs born dead, weaned more pigs, and had higher weaned litter weights than any other crate studied. The freestall crates had the least number of pigs born alive, weaned fewest pigs, and had the lightest litter weaned weights. Freestall crates fell in the middle of hydraulic and solid rod crates for pigs born dead. The solid rod crates fell in the middle of hydraulic and freestall crates for pigs born alive and weaned litter weight. Solid rod crates weaned slightly more pigs than freestalls. Solid rod crates had the most number of pigs born dead. Flooring layout was not replicated for all crate designs. Although flooring may have had an influence on the results it was not measurable in this study

Swine Feed Efficiency: Particle Size Testing Methodology

Grain accounts for the majority of cost in finishing swine. Particle size of grain has a significant impact on feed efficiency. Nutritionists and consultants recommend frequent particle size analysis to fine tune feeding programs

Kirkwood Community College Terminal Sire Demonstration Project

Nine different terminal sire lines were a Yorkshire/landrace sow herd at the Kirkwood Community College over a 30-month time span to determine production and economic merits of different sire lines. 1 The lowest backfat of the progeny came from the Danbred sire line. Premier T-Max sire line gave the progeny the largest loin muscle area and the highest per cent lean. The Waldo Duroc sire line produces the lowest selling age, lowest days to 250 lb., highest terminal sire index and highest overall economic value. The data indicate all the mated sire lines can provide positive contributions to commercial swine production. The use of a particular sire line within a herd will depend on the compliments of the sow herd, the desired progeny results, and the anticipated marketing outlet

Research and demonstration updates: ISU Rhodes Research Farm and PFI on-farm cooperator data

A recently completed study compared the economic return of hooped buildings versus conventional facilities. Factors considered included pig growth rate, feed efficiency, developing growth function, distrib-qtion of growth, production costs and returns, and rate of return on investment

WNT signalling in prostate cancer

Genome sequencing and gene expression analyses of prostate tumours have highlighted the potential importance of genetic and epigenetic changes observed in WNT signalling pathway components in prostate tumours-particularly in the development of castration-resistant prostate cancer. WNT signalling is also important in the prostate tumour microenvironment, in which WNT proteins secreted by the tumour stroma promote resistance to therapy, and in prostate cancer stem or progenitor cells, in which WNT-β-catenin signals promote self-renewal or expansion. Preclinical studies have demonstrated the potential of inhibitors that target WNT receptor complexes at the cell membrane or that block the interaction of β-catenin with lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 and the androgen receptor, in preventing prostate cancer progression. Some WNT signalling inhibitors are in phase I trials, but they have yet to be tested in patients with prostate cancer