FNL Swine Grist - Summer 2024

Swine Grist

Dear Swine Producing Friends,

As official summer rapidly approaches, we are pleased to provide you with a copy of our Swine Grist – Summer Edition. Across the country, the planting season weather and moisture levels have been “all over the map” with many parts of the Prairies being dry after experiencing less than normal snow fall and spring rains. In Ontario, parts of the province had difficulty getting seed into the ground while other parts were relatively dry for three weeks in May, making for easy planting. Regardless of the start, we pray for a bountiful, high-quality harvest of grains and oilseeds for swine producers this year – especially in the Prairies and Western Canada, some of which have suffered with poor crop yields in recent years. Through the reading of this edition of the Grist, you will be introduced to our newest Nutritionist, João Ferreira. With the addition of João, our Monogastric and Ruminant Nutrition team has expanded to fifteen – many of which have which have been born,

Expectations Around Farrowing: Birth Weight Variation

by: Samuel Waititu, Ph.D. Monogastric Nutritionist

Producers face many challenges on-farm and in order to support our customers, we want to have an explanation and solution. A challenge that sow farms commonly face is piglet quality at birth, and subsequent survival to weaning and market. The genetic selection process has increased sow prolificacy, however uterine capacity or piglet quality did not follow the same trend. This limited real estate combined with more occupants has not only led to decreased birth weights (as discussed in Part I of this series), but also increased variation in birth weights within a litter. Because of this, piglets will be more variable throughout life and are also less likely to survive to market (Beaulieu,

raised, educated and attained industry experience in other parts of the world. It is wonderful to witness the fresh ideas and perspectives that come from our expanding Nutrition team with diverse backgrounds, learnings and experiences. Besides João’s article on the importance of high-quality water, I am confident that you will also appreciate Youngji Rho’s article on Heat Stress in sows and Samuel Waititu’s 2nd in a series of articles on Expectations Around Farrowing.

We are looking forward to participating in the Alberta Pork Congress on June 12th & 13th in Red Deer. The Congress always provides a great opportunity to reconnect and catch up with producers and discuss ways of further improving their swine operations. Please take the time to come visit with us at the Fortified Nutrition booth space at the Westerner Park.

Wishing you a productive, profitable and enjoyable summer season.

Sincerely,

Ian Ross President & CEO, GVF group of companies

2010). As a believing scientist, I have learnt not to despair whenever my curiosity is not satisfied by remembering these words said to Job in Job 38 by the Lord, “Where were you when I laid the earth's foundations? And who decided how big the earth should be? Who measured it with a measuring line? Who laid its cornerstone? Who set the limits of the sea? Did you ever in your life command the morning to begin or the day to dawn?” If I could add one more question, it would be, who decides the birth weight of a piglet? Certainly, altering birth weights by nutritional approaches is just as complex as trying to influence the gender of the piglet. In Part II of this series, we will cover the natural predisposition to variation in piglet birth weights.

Ian Ross, President & CEO David Ross, VP of Customer Advocacy & Experiential Marketing Monogastric Nutritionists, Adam Totafurno | Aline Pereira | Drew Woods | Kayla Silva | Tanka Khanal | Youngji Rho Curtis Ebanks, Layout Editor

The overall variation we see in piglet birth weights cannot be traced to a single stage of gestation. Variation exists from as early as embryo development and continuously increases with day of gestation. Perhaps we can say that it begins with embryo spacing in the uterus at implantation (~ day 12). At this point, the potential placental size is already determined, with more developed embryos taking up relatively more uterine space and allowing for greater placental development (Geisert and Schmitt, 2009). In early gestation, there is also substantial embryonic loss and resorption, in part due to crowding, further increasing the variability in fetal spacing. Therefore, spacing and crowding in the uterus due to increased ovulation rate (and litter size) is a limiting factor for the development of the placenta and developing piglets. This ultimately means that there will be increased within-litter birth weight variation.

The fetal location within the uterus will also influence the birth weight of piglets and subsequently the within-litter variation. During late gestation, there is exponential fetal piglet growth, putting greater demand on the sow and placenta. This may also highlight a stage of gestation where nutritional interventions may have a positive impact. Approaching late gestation, piglets developing closer to the uterine horn are usually heavier than piglets developing towards the cervix (Kim et al., 2013). Further research is still needed to better understand the relationship between fetal position in the uterus and birth weight. However, it is likely multifactorial, with influence from placental development and efficiency, nutritional status of the sow, and maternal blood flow and nutrient transport across the placenta.

Finally, variation in birth weight within a litter is also influenced by the parity of the sow. Their first litter is the most uniform and as sows get older, variation in piglet birth weight within the litter increases (Riddersholm et al., 2021; Quesnel et al., 2008). The distribution of parity within a herd should be considered when investigating litters with higher variation in birth weight. Interestingly, low average piglet birth weight within a sow is repeatable, meaning a sow that has a litter with a low average birth weight is likely to do the same in future parities. However, repeatability for within-litter birth weight variation is not common (Quesnel et al., 2008). Litter size in of itself also influences piglet birth weight variation within a litter, and there is greater variation with each additional piglet. This value can be greater than 20% at birth when the litter size surpasses 15 piglets, which is easily obtained with modern genetics (Riddersholm et al., 2021; Quesnel et al., 2008).

Through this article, several naturally occurring determinants of within-litter piglet birth weight have been discussed. We can see that fetal weight variations within a litter begins early in gestation and continues to birth, influenced by position and spacing of embryos on the uterus, as well as sow factors. However, even though this is naturally occurring, we should still try to explore options for improvement. If the within-litter variation in piglet birth weight can be improved, this will lead to better piglet survival and growth from birth to market. This will not only positively impact the profitability of your operation, but also the welfare and management of the animals. In Part III of this series, nutritional interventions during gestation that may improve piglet birth weight will be covered.

References:

• Beaulieu AD, Aalhus JL, Williams NH, Patience JF, 2010. Impact of piglet birth weight, birth order, and litter size on subsequent growth performance, carcass quality, muscle composition, and eating quality of pork. J Anim Sci 88 2767-2778.

Geisert RD, Schmitt RAM, 2002. Early embryonic survival in the pig: Can it be improved? J Anim Sci 80 E54-65.

Kim SW, Weaver AC, Shen YB, et al. 2013. Improving efficiency of sow productivity: nutrition and health. J Anim Sci Biotechnol. 4(1):26.

Quesnel H, Brossard L, Valancogne A, Quiniou N, 2008. Influence of some sow characteristics on within-litter variation of piglet birth weight. Animal 2 1842-1849. Riddersholm, KV, Bahnsen, I, Bruun, TS, de Knegt, LV, and Amdi, C. 2021. Identifying Risk Factors for Low Piglet Birth Weight, High Within-Litter Variation and Occurrence of Intrauterine GrowthRestricted Piglets in Hyperprolific Sows. Animals. 11, 2731.

A Deeper Dive into Water Parameters

by: João Ferreira, Ph.D. Monogastric Nutritionist

Feed costs are the highest variable costs in livestock production. Therefore, most attention is given to feed processing, such as nutrient content analysis, mycotoxin presence, correct grinding of the grains, mixing process, etc. On the other hand, water, which could be considered the most affordable input is largely neglected, yet it is a key determinant for performance. The phrase ‘water is life’ denotes the seriousness with which water quality status of a farm should be monitored.

Water intake varies according to the pig's stage of production, physiological condition, environmental temperature, diet, and other factors. The quality of drinking water is essential to maintain optimal performance. Water with low standard parameters (Table 1) could cause poor weight gain, diarrhea, and intestinal diseases. Thus, routine water analysis should focus on total dissolved solids, alkalinity, hardness, sulfates, sodium, minerals, carbonates, and microbial content.

Total dissolved solids

The total dissolved solids (TDS) indicate the total salts present in the water. The most common salts found include bicarbonate, chloride, or sulfate forms of calcium, sodium, and magnesium. Generally, elevated levels of TDS can cause pigs to reduce water consumption, resulting in lowered performance, diarrhea, and watery feces.

Alkalinity

Another important parameter in water analysis is alkalinity, which provides information about the types of salts dissolved in the water. Alkalinity acts as a pH buffer and can be defined as the ability of water to neutralize acids. It is typically expressed in terms of pH. Water with a pH between 7 and 8 is mildly alkaline and contains mostly carbonates. In the range between 8 and 10, water is more alkaline, with most of the bicarbonate dissolved. The pH of water will dictate which water treatments must be used. It is worth noting that a pH above 8 can hinder the efficiency of chlorination used in water lines.

Hardness

The hardness of water refers to the concentration of positive and negative ions in the water. Soft water typically has more sodium dissolved in it, while harder water has a higher concentration of calcium and magnesium. The importance of water hardness does not directly impact swine performance, but it is a concern for equipment maintenance. Hard water can lead to the accumulation of minerals in the water system, including pipes, drinkers, and cooling systems, which can affect their efficiency and lifespan. Limescale build-up in water lines is the perfect mineral-rich food source for all types of pathogens.

Sulfates

Sodium sulfate is the most abundant sulfate found in water, followed by calcium sulfate and magnesium sulfate. Sulfates cause a bitter taste in water and can have a laxative effect. Levels of sulfates between 1,500 to 2,650 ppm have been reported to have no effect on pigs’ performance. However, piglets may face challenges consuming water with higher levels of sulfates. Concentrations of sulfate exceeding 3,500 ppm can result in diarrhea and reduced performance.

Sodium

High concentrations of sodium in water, exceeding 200 ppm, can result in watery feces, while levels surpassing 400 ppm can negatively impact performance. Conducting a water analysis in such cases provides an opportunity to adjust the sodium levels in the pig’ diets accordingly.

Minerals

High levels of iron and manganese in drinking water may reduce consumption due to their bitter taste. The main concern regarding these minerals at high levels is their utilization by bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella. Elevated iron levels have also been associated with increased biofilm formation Additionally, high levels of iron can change the colour of the water and cause turbidity (sediment).

Microbiological Parameters

There are three main microbiological parameters to assess water quality; total bacteria, total coliforms, and total fecal coliforms. Total bacteria encompass all bacterial species in a sample, total coliforms include environmental bacteria, and total fecal coliforms specifically indicate fecal contamination. In water analysis, Total Bacteria should be determined, as it indicates the cleanliness of the water. Ideal levels are 0 CFU/ml (coliform forming units), but a maximum level of 1,000 CFU/ml is still acceptable for Total Bacteria. For Total Coliforms, the producer should aim for 0 CFU/ml, with a maximum tolerance of 50 CFU/ml. Fecal Coliforms in the water must be 0 CFU/ml; otherwise, the water cannot be used for consumption (German et al., 2008). In summary, regular water analysis serves as a tool for producers to monitor filtration systems and ensure water quality standards. By analyzing water parameters such as microbiological content, mineral concentrations, and pH levels, producers can assess the effectiveness of sanitation efforts, maintain optimal water quality, and mitigate risks associated with waterborne pathogens. This approach not only protects swine health and performance, but also supports efficient operation of equipment by identifying and addressing potential issues promptly. If you would like to review your water cleanliness and ensure you’re providing the healthiest water possible for your pigs, we recommend a visit from one of our Farmers Depot water experts. Please reach out and we’d be happy to set up an on-farm evaluation.

Sows are particularly vulnerable to heat stress and a major consequence of heat stress is reduced feed intake, which is detrimental during a time of high nutritional demands. To release excess heat, blood flow is redistributed towards the periphery of the sow’s body. Unfortunately, this reduces blood flow to other organs including the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), leading to inflammation, oxidative stress, and damaged tissues-commonly referred to as “leaky gut”. Consequently, impaired feed digestibility in sows can result in a negative energy balance, poor body condition, and reduced milk yield during lactation. Respiratory alkalosis is another issue faced by heat stressed sows. Excessive panting causes excessive CO2 loss and imbalance of various biochemical and physiological functions in the sow's body. Furthermore, heat stress can compromise reproductive efficiency. Sows exposed to high temperatures have smaller and slower follicular growth after weaning. This results in an increased number of sows showing anestrus and silent estrus, ovulation failure, and longer weaning to estrus intervals.

Given all the above, we can conclude that managing heat stress is critical in sows. Addressing heat stress requires a comprehensive approach that incorporates both nutritional interventions and management of environmental factors within swine facilities.

Environmental Strategies to consider:

01. Improved ventilation management

Table1: Water parameters and acceptable levels for swine production

References: German, Dave; Thiex, Nancy; and Wright, Cody, "Interpretation of Water Analysis for Livestock Suitability" (2008). Agricultural Experiment Station Circulars. Paper 330.

Heat stress management in sows: Nutritional and environmental strategies

by: Youngji Rho, Ph.D. Monogastric Nutritionist, Grand Valley Fortifiers.

Compared to other animals, pigs are naturally more prone to heat stress. They lack functional sweat glands and have relatively small lungs compared to their body size, which makes it challenging for them to release heat by panting. Additionally, modern pigs are more prone to heat stress than animals from decades ago, as they are leaner and more productive, which generates more body heat. When the temperature rises above the sow’s upper critical temperature (24 -25°C), they are unable to or have more difficulty maintaining their homeostatic body temperature, and we call this “heat stress”. With the change in climate and increasing temperatures around the world, the concern of heat stress is no longer limited to specific regions. It has been estimated by Dr. Pollmann that the impact of heat stress on the American swine industry amounts to approximately $900 million per year, with half of the losses attributed to the breeding herd (Pollman, 2010).

02. Drip/sprinkler cooling

03. In-floor cooling

04. Reducing the pen density

05. Adjusting the temperature of the heat pads or the heat lamps for the piglets in the farrowing room

However, these environmental changes may not be applicable at certain facilities and/or may require more time and investment to implement.

Nutritional Strategies:

01. Water quality and supply is necessary year-round, as it plays a critical role in various metabolic functions. During the summer months, water requirements increase, necessitating more frequent checks of water lines to ensure a clean and sufficient supply. Additionally, maintaining appropriate drinker heights for easier access is essential. We also recommend ensuring the correct amount of drinkers for the stocking density of each pen. If you’re unsure of your water quality or want to improve it, we suggest consulting with a water expert from Farmers Depot.

02. Depending on the feeding system, if the time of feeding can be changed to a cooler time of the day (e.g. early morning and late evening) it could improve feed intake. However, if this is not possible, other nutritional strategies should be considered.

03. Feeding a diet formulated to have a low thermic effect can help reduce the heat generated from feed consumption. This can be accomplished by increasing the use of fat sources and reducing the protein and/or fiber content of the diet. Among energy sources, fat has the highest digestibility and generates the least amount of internal heat when metabolized.

04. While dietary fiber is essential for maintaining a healthy gut, improving satiation in dry sows, and reducing constipation around farrowing, it’s crucial to consider the heat generated from fiber fermentation in the hindgut. Therefore, fiber inclusion should be carefully evaluated to balance its benefits and drawbacks in a heat stress situation.

05. Electrolyte supplementation can help maintain proper hydration and electrolyte balance as they are essential for regulating cellular functions and fluid balance. Common electrolytes include sodium, potassium, and chloride and these can be supplied through either feed or water.

06. Supplementing extra levels of feed additives like zinc and antioxidants (e.g., Vitamin E and selenium) have been shown to protect intestinal barrier integrity during heat stress.

07. Fatty acids, especially n-3 and n-6, can positively impact follicle development and ovulation. Omega-3 fatty acids possess antiinflammatory properties and can help mitigate the inflammatory response associated with heat stress when supplemented. It is crucial to recognize the signs of heat stress on sows and explore mitigation options that are feasible on your farm. Utilizing the options stated previously can help reduce the negative impacts of heat stress on sows which will allow your sows to remain healthy and productive year-round. We recommend you speak with your Nutritionist or Swine Specialist today to plan the best mitigation strategy for your hog operation this summer.

References: Pollmann, D. S. 2010. Seasonal effects of sow herds: industry experience and management strategies. Midwest ASAS Billy N. Day Symposium.

Commodity Outlook

by: JP Thibault Business Development Manager

Each day gets us closer to the end of the North America planting season. Rain has been a hot topic because there was not enough at the beginning, and we could hear the rumbling sound of a drought. The Hedge Funds and the market participants bought into that story and the big 3 (corn/wheat/bean) have felt the bullish pressure, especially the wheat with concerns over the world supply. South America’s harvest had a few hiccups, yield losses due to leafhopper insects in Argentina and torrential rains in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil's second-largest soybean producer).

Have you heard about the expression; Buy the rumor, sell the fact? Rumor: all these things got priced into the market because they worried market participants. Facts: then suddenly they seemed to be less of a problem because US got rain, although they are not behind the 5-years planting pace and the drought monitor looks way better than before the rain. Brazil and Argentina lost yield, but the situation is not as dramatic as we thought. All this is now behind us, and markets have settled down, not as low as they were, but there’s way less bullish pressure compared to a month ago. Market participants will now start to speculate on the size of the US crop, can we really get 180bu/acre of corn like USDA is predicting? Will the bean carryout be over 400m bushels? On the protein side, the market is underpinned by tight supplies, tied in part to a seasonal slowdown in the domestic crush rate. A slow soybean harvest in key soymeal producer Argentina has added some support, along with a sluggish start to U.S. planting. We expect to see strong basis values over the summer with supply challenges, but future value could slide lower with Argentina coming back strong into this market.

Join us in Welcoming Our Newest Monogastric Nutritionist!

João Ferreira, Ph.D. Monogastric Nutritionist, Fortified Nutrition

One of the beautiful wonders of spring is the vibrant emergence of new life and its freshness. As the trees begin to bud and the tender green blades of grass break through the earth, you can almost smell the pure sweet fragrance of new hope. This spring, the FNL nutrition department hired a new Monogastric Nutritionist and we are glad to share this good tiding with all our highly esteemed customers. Dr. João Ferreira, who was born and raised in Brazil, comes to us holding a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Sao Paulo State University, Brazil. There, he developed a keen interest in monogastric nutrition, working with a poultry nutrition research team, where he helped with various experiments involving broilers, layer hens, quails, and turkeys, covering diverse research areas. Inspired to explore deeper into turkey nutrition, he joined the Department of Animal Science at the University of Sao Paulo for his Masters of Science, during which he conducted studies focused on reducing crude protein in turkey diets and its impact on performance, nitrogen excretion, and body composition. Full of determination to pursue a PhD, he relocated to the United States and began his studies at the University of Missouri. His PhD focused on amino acids in poultry nutrition. Upon completing his PhD, he was employed by Cargill in Brazil, as a technical coordinator at their research center. In this role, he oversaw various experiments centered on poultry and piglet nutrition, as well as the application of feed additives to enhance digestibility and gut health. João then worked for ADM Brazil as a swine nutritionist, where he formulated diets and developed custom products for clients. In December 2021, he moved to Winnipeg, Canada, to pursue a 2-year Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Manitoba. The research group collaborated with Canadian BioSystems Inc and studied feed enzymes, fiber, and feed ingredient evaluation. Upon concluding his Postdoctoral fellowship, he briefly worked as a Poultry Nutrition consultant at Old Mill Feeds, where he gained valuable experience and thoroughly enjoyed his role. Though, the opportunity available at FNL was not something he could turn down and he joined FNL February 26, 2024.

João will be based in Calgary, Alberta. He will work together with Saymore and Samuel to assist in offering all swine and poultry nutrition services to customers in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Montana, USA. This is a great milestone for the team as we endeavor to bring our services closer to our customers and hard-working Swine and Poultry Specialists. The team at FNL have trained and worked with João since he joined and are confident to say we are blessed to have a humble, curious, intelligent, hardworking and very friendly nutritionist joining our great team. Please join us in welcoming João to the FNL team.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. João Ferreira to the FNL team. If you have any questions for our team, please feel free to contact João at: Joãoferreira@fortifiednutritionltd.ca | 204-698-3078

Thought of the Day!

“In my vain life I have seen everything. There is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his evildoing.” –Ecclesiastes 7: 15

When we read these words of Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, we can easily become frustrated as we’ve likely all seen this play out in our modern day lives. Sometimes good people die young and evil people live to a ripe old age. So how do we respond to the fact that the world seems unfair? When you read all of Ecclesiastes 7, you will find that Solomon is suggesting two things in this passage:

1. Don’t try to put God in your debt. This is often referred to as the religious response.

2. Don’t choose to live your life as if your actions don’t have consequences. This is the rebel’s response.

VS. 18 – Do focus on who God is. Remember, He loves me, and He is just. He will wrap his arms around me and carry me through; and one day He will judge all things. You see, YOLO (You Only Live Once) starts with a wrong assumption – you actually live twice. The question is, will you only die once?