Swine Grist 2015 - Summer

Swine Grist

VOL 2 ISSUE 2 | SUMMER 2015

A P E R I O D I C N E W S L E T T E R P R O D U C E D B Y G R A N D V A L L E Y F O R T I F I E R S LT D .

Jim Ross, Chairman Dear friends, It is now nearly 3 ½ years since Grand Valley Fortifiers and Fortified Nutrition joined forces in Western Canada. It has been an exciting time for us all as we have worked together getting to know each other and our western customers. We are encouraged and happy to report that the amalgamation is working well. Customers are also enjoying this new relationship and very pleased with the introduction of our high tech BioSure™ Nursery Feeds enhanced with Primary Diets, late state BioForce® nursery premixes and BioForce® dry and nursing sow premixes. In addition we have introduced our new BioForce®Hog GF 25 premix, a high tech premix which provides excellent nutrition for fast, economical gains.

We look forward to getting to know our western producers better and working together to provide nursery feeds and premix products which will enable producers to experience the best possible production at the lowest possible cost.

Wishing you all good farming, Jim Ross

Nutrition’s role in Modern Sow Productivity

by: Dr. Martin Clunies, PhD. (left), Natalie Litvak. MSc. (right) Monogastric Nutritionists, Grand Valley Fortifiers Ltd.

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n a previous article entitled “Modern Sow Productivity”, in the Spring 2015 issue of the Swine Grist, (Volume 17, issue 1), we outlined the key role nutrition plays in eliciting the genetic potential of modern sows. From ensuring the number of eggs ovulated, initiation and maintenance of pregnancy, increasing the viability/survival of pigs born alive, and improving the weaning weight of individual pigs; nutrition, like management is linked to those critical days in the lifetime productivity of sows. We indicated that in subsequent articles we would discuss each of these critical points in much greater detail. In this article we will discuss the effect nutrition has on ovulation and implantation.

The onset of reproductive activity in the gilt is initiated by a combination of genetics, body size for age and female hormonal maturity; all of which are affected by nutrition. While gilts typically begin to cycle at 8 months of age, ultimately nutrition energy balance increases the levels

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of blood circulating insulin, which subsequently stimulates the release of the reproductive hormones (gonadotropic hormones: Luteinizing and Follicle-Stimulating hormones), which respectively stimulates sex hormone secretion and in turn stimulates the maturation of ovarian follicles. Rather than a circulating level of insulin, it is the increase or surge of this hormone that drives the release of the reproductive hormones.

The practice of flush feeding gilts after a period of moderate intake consistently increases the production of insulin. While diets high in fat do have a positive effect on energy balance, it is the starch of the feed, and the resulting sugar release, that induces the production of insulin.

The ovulation rate of gilts (number of viable eggs released from the ovarian follicles) is primarily determined by the genetics and number of previous estrus cycles that the gilt has experienced. Gilts plateau in the number of follicles ovulated, by their third estrus cycle. So what is the role that nutrition plays in modifying ovulation rate? Other than Omega-3 fatty acids, nutrition has less of a direct role in the number of eggs released by the gilt and more so affects the development of the gilt and lifetime sow productivity.

Feeding Omega-3 fatty acids to gilts and sows has been shown to improve litter size, even among gilt litters where nutrition has been presumed to have little effect (Palmer et al., 1970; Webel et al., 2004).

Omega-3 fatty acids accumulate in the developing embryo, promoting blastocyst (early embryonic) growth and development, resulting in increased early embryo survival (Ashworth and Antipatis 1999; Ferguson et al., 2006). Recent research (Smits 2010) has shown that sows fed diets high in Omega-3 fats during lactation and early gestation had significantly more total pigs born (12.6 versus 11.7) and born alive (11.1 versus 10.6). While feeding Omega-3 during lactation alone had a positive effect on litter size,

Ian Ross, President & CEO | Jim Ross, Chairman Clarke Walker, VP & COO Dr. Martin Clunies, Monogastric Nutritionist David Ross/Patti Bobier, Publishers

the greater effect was noted when sows were fed Omega-3 during both lactation and early gestation. This positive response was greater in older sows when Omega-3 was fed 28 days post weaning (Smits 2010). With advancing parities, embryo survival decreases (Foxcroft, 2006; Vonnahme, 2002), while the number of ovulations remains high. Thus Omega-3 fatty acids may be a nutritional tool to reduce the natural decline in the number of pigs born alive of older sows.

With respect to the lactating sows, the time to return to estrus following weaning and subsequent ovulation rate are more directly affected by nutrition. Maximizing the feed intake, and as a result the energy and lysine intake, during the second week of lactation has a significant effect on these two parameters. This effect is driven via the energy insulin effect described in previous paragraphs. Separately, high lysine levels in the lactation feed reduce the days to estrus post-wean, particularly in first litter gilts where the intake of feed is less. While the exact mechanism of lysine is not known, research conducted in the laboratory of Dr. King suggests dietary lysine reduces lean tissue loss in sows. Lean tissue may be a barometer of the physiological status of the sow, with a high lean tissue loss being a signal of a negative physiological status. With the high lean tissue growth of the litter in the last 3-4 weeks prior to birth, low muscle reserves during pregnancy may be putting the sow at risk. The potential lactational lean tissue loss is greater with first parity gilts compared to sows with two or more litters nursed. There is a large benefit to reducing wean to estrus interval beyond the savings on non-productive days. In a large study conducted with more than 22,000 litters in Canada and Australia, results showed that sows which returned to estrus before 7 days after weaning produced more pigs per litter and had a higher farrowing rate compared to those returning to estrus 7–10 days after weaning.

There are a number of minerals critical to reproduction. For example, deficiencies of copper result in reduced estrogen production. While we are not suggesting that there are mineral deficiencies which exist in modern sow feeding programs, there are antagonisms that exist between minerals in the diet. Research has shown that these antagonisms, through excess supplementation, may actually reduce the number of pigs born alive per litter (Mahan, 2001). Similarly, high levels of zinc required for establishing immune status are antagonistic to copper and iron absorption. Organic minerals have been shown to improve sow productivity, by increasing availability and reducing the antagonisms between minerals. The result is a more rapid return to estrus and more follicles for release of eggs, in response to organic mineral supplementation. Other organic minerals have metabolic function which the inorganic mineral does not have.

Organic chromium, which increases the number of pigs born, appears to involve insulin and intestinal growth factor 1, though the mechanism is not yet fully understood. This suggests that chromium has an effect on rate of ovulation and rebreeding interval.

Vitamins such as vitamin A, through its effect on basal cell multiplication, may have an effect on the number of follicles produced and eggs ovulated (Whaley et al, 1997). Injections of vitamin A have been akin to hormonally super ovulating sows, prior to breeding. This effect is more pronounced in gilts compared to sows. This may be due to a more synchronised development of all follicles, versus more asynchronous development of some large and some small follicles in large litters. The result of this asynchronous development is more variation in birth weights and pig viability in large litters.

Implantation of fertile embryos is dependent on the uterus being in suitable condition to accept the developing embryo, with the uterus being free of infection and of the correct pH. The impact of nutrition here is not as well understood. In commercial pig production the dog-sitting of sows may result in more bacteria invading the vagina and subsequently infecting the uterus. During lactation, the sow

concentrates her urine in order to conserve water for lactation. This results in less urination and flushing of the urinary tract. The rate of urinary infection may double from gilts to older sows and is often directly related to the sanitary conditions of the gestating area. While intermittent medication will often be used to reduce the impact of uterine infections, dietary manipulation may be used to control the incidence and degree of infection. In urine, an elevated pH of > 8 results in greater risk of bacterial proliferation while lowering pH < 7.4 reduces the risk of uterine infections. Altering the acid base balance and proper acidification of the diet in turn lowers urine pH, which serves to make the urinary/uterine tracts more hostile to pathogenic bacterial infection.

Nutrition of the breeding sow is critical to ensuring the expression of the maternal genetic potential. Different stages of the reproductive cycle require different nutrient focus. While there are varying requirements in each stage, the number of feeds used is often restricted to two. It is important that these two feeds have the elements of nutrition which are important to optimize sow productivity. During breeding and early pregnancy nutrients important to ovarian maturation and ovulation have a significant effect on the number of follicles produced and the eggs released. This is where nutrition has its major effect. Typically, the lactation feed provides not only the nutrients for the nursing sows, but also nutrients critical to follicular development and subsequent ovulation. Often the lactation feed is used as the breeding feed fed to gilts and sows through weaning and breeding. Lactation feeds therefore have effects far beyond the nursing of large litters.

In our next article we will discuss nutrition’s role in gestation. n

WHAT IS TRUE FOODS?

by: IAN ROSS President & CEO, Grand Valley Fortifiers

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ntario consumers who purchase Finest Sausage and Meat products made with Willowgrove Hill DHA Omega 3 pork are beginning to see the True Foods.ca trademark on the labels of these delicious and healthy products. As consumers desire to know more and be assured of where their meat comes from, what it was fed, what it wasn’t fed and how it was raised, True Foods communicates the transparent product story directly to their smartphone, tablet or computer.

In the summer of 2007, when Grand Valley Fortifiers launched the production of RWA/NAB/VGF hogs with a number of their Ontario customers for the PC Free From™ program, the primary focus was to formulate a feeding program that allowed for sow and hog performance that rivaled conventional hog production while consistently meeting the PC Free From™ label claims of “raised without antibiotics, no animal by-products, vegetable grain fed”.

These were pioneering days as we carefully navigated the Canadian Food Inspection Agency regulations surrounding these claims, developed feeding and management protocols, established both the internal and external auditing schedules, researched nutraceuticals that could be approved for use in this program and were effective at warding off disease, recruited producers for the appropriate amount of hog production for Loblaw’s needs and managed all of the certification documents (audit reports, ractopamine free status, CQA approvals etc), while providing transparent access to the supply chain partners of these very necessary certifications.

Now, eight years later, with over 1.5 million hogs marketed under this

program, Grand Valley Fortifiers has recognized that in addition to its traditional role of being a provider of livestock nutrition, it has also become an experienced and effective value chain governance company in the process.

In parallel with this growing experience in governance by GVF, Canadian consumers have had a growing desire for increased transparency regarding the feeding and production practices of the meat, milk and eggs that they put into their mouths each day. In fact, in 2011 Grand Valley Fortifiers engaged the Nielsen research firm to discover the significance of consumer desires for assurances surrounding the label claims on the value added meat, milk and eggs that they had been willing to spend more on. The results indicated that approximately three quarters of consumers surveyed desired or required assurances of these claims when making purchasing decisions.

Recognizing that Grand Valley Fortifiers already had robust governance programs in place, knew exactly where the hogs for these programs were coming from and what the animals were fed under the CFIA approved feeding programs, we decided to communicate this valued information to consumers through a mobile device friendly website (www.truefoods.ca) and ideally have this trademark appear on the True Foods governed pork products.

By providing consumers easy access to accurate and transparent information surrounding the CFIA approved label claims, describing what it takes to make these label claims with integrity, and introducing consumers to the farmers that actually raise the animals for these programs, True Foods seeks to provide assurances to discerning consumers who are willing to invest more in their food product choices if they are confident in the production systems and claims made on the package.

True Foods doesn’t seek to create a utopian standard for meat, milk and eggs to aspire to, rather it designs and engages in the governance systems required to audit, continually monitor and verify whatever “raised without”, method of production or enrichment claims appear on the package. These claims must first be approved by CFIA, then consistently adhered to in the months and years ahead after the products are successfully launched by meat processors or retail or food service companies.

It is our on-going objective to seek new value chain opportunities that meet consumer demands, while providing robust governance of these chains, in order to allow our hog customers the opportunity to market value added, branded pork for increased, consistent profitability of their farm. It is encouraging that even in the last eight weeks the True Foods team has secured a couple new value chain opportunities for Ontario hog producers, which allow for five year, cost of production formula priced contracts which promise to bring stable and consistent profits to producers who commit to them.

These efforts in value chain creation and facilitation fit squarely within the three core purposes of the GVF Group of Companies. Profitable Farms, Healthy Food, Improved Lives.

We encourage you to take a few moments to tour the TrueFoods.ca website to better understand the importance of access to this type of information for today’s discerning consumers. n

Swine Grist FNL Manitoba BBQ Tour

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n August 10th, 11th and 12th the FNL Manitoba team had the privilege of hosting three separate BBQ meetings enjoyed by current customers and prospects. A team from Grand Valley Fortifiers including Jim Ross, Ian Ross, Bruce Schumann, Lorie Pepper and Dave Ross along with Nursery Feed specialist Kevin Dolan from Primary Diets joined the FNL team in hosting these three enjoyable days.

Kevin & Devin Steele, FNL & Farmers Farmacy Brandon

Lorie Pepper & Kevin Dolan Farmers Farmacy Brandon

On Monday the first BBQ meeting was held at the recently renovated warehouse and Farmers Farmacy space in Brandon Manitoba (pictured above). We were excited to share this great new facility with our customers and introduce them to over 190 Farmers Farmacy products now stocked in Brandon. Lorie Pepper introduced the Farmers Farmacy division to our BBQ guests and explained how Devin Steele was the contact for Farmers Farmacy products in Manitoba. Lorie also shared that while there are 190 products stocked in Brandon, producers have access to the entire Farmers Faramcy catalogue of products which can be shipped to Brandon within two weeks of ordering. (To reach the Bandon warehouse call 204-571-6650).

Tuesday took us to Starbuck Manitoba where over 50 Hutterite guests joined us for a great meeting and BBQ. Bruce Schumann shared about the exciting topic of Epigenetics and how the nutrition fed to sows, two generations prior, can greatly impact the health and physical characteristics of subsequent piglet litters. Kevin Dolan shared some very positive BioSure Nursery Feeds results from Manitoba and Ian Ross shared about True Foods and why Grand Valley Fortifiers has created this new division (see article included in this issue for more details).

Our last BBQ took place on Wednesday and was held at the FNL plant in Morden Manitoba. Even though it was an incredibly hot day we were pleased to have many Hutterites join us for this meeting and BBQ. We want to thank Kevin Steele, Kevin Reimer, Kevin Bond, Dale Weiss along with Rick Driedger, Jay Brunn, Colin Funk and Harvey Fehr from the plant for organizing and planning these three great days. Special thanks goes to Larry Smidt and Kurtis DeGraaf for barbequing the

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FNL Red Deer – New Warehouse opens!

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n Wednesday June 10th we very happy to have over 80 people join us to celebrate the grand opening of our new Fortified Nutrition Limited Red Deer warehouse with a steak barbeque following the first day of the Red Deer Pork Congress. Ian Ross shared a talk on value chains and Martin Clunies shared a presentation on epigenetics with our guests before dinner.

Martin Clunies sharing presentation

delicious steaks all three days. And most importantly, thank StarbuckManitoba BBQ meeting you to all our guests, for joining us to make these events a success. n

New products launched and working well!

by: Dr. Martin Clunies, PhD., Monogastric Nutritionist, Grand Valley Fortifiers

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he Monogastric Nutrition Group at Grand Valley Fortifiers is continually working to improve the performance and cost effectiveness of our feed and premix programs for pork producers. Two years ago Nutritionists Bruce Schumann (MSc) and Natalie Litvak (MSc) began working with a group of large producers, where they were able to obtain frequent pig close-out data for feed intake, daily weight gain and feed conversion. Over a period of 8 months they set about developing a feeding program to address the producers’ objective of lower feed cost and improved feed conversion.

The standard measure of feed conversion at the beginning of the project was 2.79:1 for pigs fed from 30.7 kg to 111.1 kg live weight. Over a period of months they worked with the producer to reduce the feed conversion to 2.53:1. Also, during this period the growth rate increased and as a result the market weight of the pigs increased to 121 kg. With further encouragement from producers their research focused on improving the feed conversion, as the price of soybean meal escalated in excess of $600/Tonne. Over a series of trials the feed conversion improved further to 2.41:1, however the average daily gain decreased. Armed with these improved feed conversions producers increased their pig market weights to 129.1 kg, in response to the monetary incentives from the packing plant for heavier weight pigs. However the number of days in the barn was increased due to slower growth and heavier pigs to market.

Over the period of the next 4-6 months they collected data on more than 16,700 pigs in more than 40 studies with pigs marketed from 25 kg to 121.6 kg and proved a feed conversion of 2.44:1 was attainable with large numbers of pigs. Average daily gain was 977 g/d for the period of growth.

Out of this research the BioForce® Hog GF 25 was developed. This premix was formulated with economical production in mind with an objective to reduce the premix and feed costs per pig. BioForce® Hog GF 25 was introduced in the summer of 2013, and has proven to be very economical for producers, feeding more than 130,000 pigs to date. More producers continue to adopt this premix as their product of choice for finishing pigs. This premix, when combined with amino acid supplementation provides best cost per kilogram of gain.

This is but one example of the updated swine premix line at Grand Valley Fortifiers. After formulating and acquiring performance results on a number of new products, the Grand Valley Fortifiers Swine team is encouraging existing customers to embrace these new cost effective lower inclusion rate BioForce® premixes in their operations for robust, but economical performance. n

New Products Replaces Inclusion

Rate Reduction BioForce® Piglet 75 Piglet Power 8 kg/tonne

Pac 40 BioForce® Hog GF 25 Super Swine 8 kg/tonne

ProGro

Premix Cost, Savings per tonne of complete feed 9.3% 16%/9.6%

The new FNL Red Deer warehouse will provide a wonderful location for our surrounding customers to visit and pick up premix and nursery feeds from when delivering market hogs to the Olymel plant or when in Red Deer for other supplies. In the near future we plan to open a Farmers Farmacy outlet within this location offering up to 190 in-stock products and access to the entire Farmers Farmacy product selection with a two week delivery time.

Kurtis DeGraaf and Bruce Currie are both to be commended for their help assisting with the build out of this great new space along with their organizing of the grand opening BBQ. We look forward to serving customers from this location and hope you will stop in to visit the next time you’re in Red Deer. This warehouse is open from 10 am until 2 pm Monday – Friday but we recommend you call ahead before coming just to be sure to catch us 403-986-9906. n

Thought for the Day Self-control pays rich dividends.

Wise counsel for moms, dads and all grandparents. By Author Dorothy Nolte.

If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.

If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.

If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty.

If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.

If a child lives with encouragement, he learns confidence.

If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate.

If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.

If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith.

If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.

If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns to find love in the world.

From all of us at Grand Valley Fortifiers