Swine Grist - Summer 2019

Swine Grist

A PERIODIC NEWSLETTER PRODUCED

BY GRAND VALLEY FORTIFIERS LTD. VOLUME 6, ISSUE 2 | SUMMER 2019

Dear Friends, After a very challenging spring in Ontario and other parts of our country, we have now begun to enjoy a warm July. We are thankful for the significant planting progress made over the past 30 days. As we have seen hog prices increase significantly this spring, producers have rightly been focused on shipping as many hogs as possible while prices were good. Unfortunately, China has imposed an outright meat ban due to apparent falsified labeling on some pork that came from Quebec. Let’s pray the Canadian Government can get this sorted out quickly! This issue of the Grand Valley Swine Grist is full of helpful articles. Take special note of Bruce Schumann’s article on Maximizing Efficiencies and Victoria Seip’s article on Knowing Your Numbers to ensure you are getting the most out of your production. If you are facing challenges with 2018 harvest corn, due to end of bin residues and mold challenges, make sure to read Dr. Martin Clunies’ update on the back page. Wishing you all a wonderful, prosperous summer as we work towards what we pray will be a bountiful harvest.

Sincerely, Jim Ross, Founder & Chairman

MAXIMIZING EFFICIENCIES; RIDING THE ASF WAVE

by: BRUCE SCHUMANN B.Sc. (Agric.), M.Sc., Monogastric Nutritionist, Grand Valley Fortifiers Ltd.

T

he tragic situation of African Swine Fever affecting China and Europe has positioned North America, and particularly Canada, in a very opportunistic position with respect to hog production. Canada is one of the top 5 pork-producing countries. With the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership entered into force on 30 December 2018, our access to the Asian market, who love pork, has expanded. Tariffs imposed by China on the US are expected to decrease by the end of 2019.

Either way you look at it, demand for our Canadian pork will be on the rise.

Since March of this year, we have seen a positive divergence in hog price over the same weeks last year, with last week seeing closeout pricing of $204.93 as 100% of the base formula price. This increase in price is juxtaposed to feed costs that have been relatively stagnant since 2018.

Therefore, feed, as the most expensive cost in raising pigs, has seen a 20% relative drop, as a percentage of the base price, since March 2019, which is at an all-time-low. So, while you need to be cognisant of optimizing your cost/kg gain, this is the time to focus efforts to maximize the rate of gain and ultimately the kilograms of pork leaving your facility.

It is now more critical than ever to pay attention to your sows, who drive the success of your farm. Chelated minerals have shown to increase the number of follicles that develop and are released in a sows reproductive tract. Diets high in B vitamins, such as folic acid, contribute to the successful implantation and development of the embryos. Every viable piglet you put on the ground will be worth over $50.00 more at market time.

As a result, we want as many piglets on the ground as possible. The use of

Dr. Samuel Waititu, Monogastric Nutritionist AB / SK: 1-866-610-5770 MB: 1-866-626-3933 www.fortifiednutritionltd.com

probiotics and essential oils achieve two critical functions, they improve feed intake and nutrient digestibility, which minimizes body condition loss during lactation. They also modulate the gut microorganisms and expose their piglets to a healthy and beneficial population of bacteria.

Health in the nursery must be a priority and it starts with gut integrity.

In the nursery we want to continue to develop the gut of the piglet and set it up to maximize nutrient digestibility. Piglets have a finite capacity to eat, and this is a limiting factor for growth. If we have reached the piglet’s capacity for gut fill, the only way we can expect to improve average daily gain is by making feed more digestible. Starting pigs off on the right feed with the right budget, and moving them over to homegrown feed at the correct time will set them up for maximal digestibility and lifetime performance. Our partners at Primary Diets have proved that maximising gains at weaning and in the nursery, can be very beneficial at shortening the grow-finish period by days or even weeks.

Once the pigs transition from the nursery to grow-finish, we want to focus on throughput. Time is money, but time is also space, and limited space is not good for growth or performance. Hogs are being finished at heavier weights in barns that have remained static. With the premiums we are experiencing, we push as many extra kilograms on our hogs that the top-end of our grids will permit. The faster you can move your hogs through the grow-finish period, the more space (access to food and water) you open up for stragglers in the system, which will improve their performance too. Adding energy (Bionic Oil, roasted beans, etc.) is an excellent way to improve feed conversion in the grow-finish, as is adding amino acids (lysine, methionine, etc.), which keeps soybean meal down low and allows us to meet the growth requirements of the pig more accurately without oversupplying protein. Oversupplying protein to the diet is expensive and it costs the pig energy to metabolize it and excrete it: energy that could have been directed to growth. It also elevates ammonia levels in the barn, which will significantly reduce performance.

Last year’s corn crop (2018) has yielded high levels of DON, so you need

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

to pay attention to reduced feed intakes and decreased immune function. We don’t want feed intake to be a roadblock. Make sure your grain is as clean as possible, and if it’s not, consider diluting it. Assure can also help to combat the negative effects we see from a mycotoxin challenge.

Lastly, make sure you maximize the “sweet spot” of your grid. Every kg gained and then sold is worth $0.52 more today than what it was a year ago. Grand Valley Fortifiers has developed a program called Profit Finder, which is available to our customers. It will analyze your packing data and look for lost opportunities in premiums on your grid for you.

It is a great progress-tracking mechanism and it allows you to visualize gaps in your profitability and see profit differences between barns.

During these times of good prices and low feed costs, we need to examine our feeding program and decide where we can afford to spend a little more on feed costs in order to get a lot more return for your hogs. For more information on how Grand Valley Fortifiers can help make your operation become more profitable, please contact your GVF Swine Specialist or Nutritionist today. ince the writing of this article for the summer grist, China has put a trade embargo on Canadian pork and beef products, citing that a shipment of pork products tested positive for the feed additive ractopamine, which is restricted in China. Further investigation indicated that the certificate attached to this shipment was inauthentic according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The Chinese Embassy is citing that there has been as many as 188 “counterfeit” veterinary health documents found. Interestingly, a day after China implemented this ban they also renewed their demand to have Meng Wanzhou, deputy chairwoman and CFO of the tech giant Huawei released. Unfortunately there was little movement after Prime Minister Trudeau met briefly with China’s President Xi at the G20 Summit last week. China’s import demands on pork, which has previously driven pork prices up, remains unchanged so if the trade disputes can be resolved, hog prices in Canada and exports to China should return. Let’s pray for a near term resolution. n

S

ADVANTAGES OF WATER SANITATION AND ACIDIFICATION FROM BIRTH TO 25 KG

by: VICTORIA SEIP Production Improvement Specialist, Grand Valley Fortifiers Ltd.

I

n pig production, looking at water management is crucial in order to make sure our livestock are consuming enough quality water to maximize their production capabilities. Afterall, animals will consume more than twice the amount of water than they do feed. Organic acids have been used to acidify water sources in swine production to reduce the amount of bacteria that survives and replicates in the gastrointestinal tract. By reducing the pH of gastric contents, this also improves nutrient digestion in the pig (Escobar, 2013).

In sows, adequate water consumption is essential to avoid heat stress, dehydration, and to promote milk production for fast growing piglets.

An increase in water intake has also corresponded with an increase in parity. For a sow to increase her amount of milk produced, she must increase water intake (Kruse et al., 2011). An increase in water intake may also be a result of or lead to increased feed consumption which will improve the productivity and milk output of the sow (Seynaeve et al, 1996).

Over the past six months, our team has been working hard, looking at what advantages clean water lines and acidification can provide by being able to measure its impact. We looked at performance in both the farrowing room and the nursery to determine if acidifying water with organic acids and using chlorine dioxide as a disinfectant for the water lines can improve litter and sow performance and improve results throughout the nursery.

Four trials were conducted. A total of 252 sows were put onto either the Total Water Care (TWC) or barn/regular water program. During the approximately 25 days spent on in the farrowing crates, results were seen as follows: The water pH level for the sows on TWC dropped to 3.88 compared to the barn water at 7.7. On average, the litter end weight was 3.38 kg heavier on TWC resulting in a 290-gram heavier pig weaned. Similarly, the average lightest pig was 360 grams heavier on TWC. Body condition loss was reduced in sows receiving TWC and less sows needed repeated treatments. The water intake per sow on TWC was 38.11 L/sow/ day compared to 34.71 L/sow/day on untreated barn water (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Average Daily Sow Water Intake (L/Sow/Day) The cost associated with using TWC 39 runs at approximately $0.25/sow/day drinking 38 L. Over a 25-day period spent 38 in the farrowing crate, this results in a cost 37 of $0.51/piglet weaned. Benefits associ36 ated with this cost include increased litter 35 and piglet weight gain, improved sow wa34 ter intake, less body condition loss, less sow treatment and heavier pigs at weaning.

33 Barn Water TWC This does not yet consider improvements in reproductive performance. Research has shown that sow water intake is often correlated with an increased feed intake because the more a sow eats, the more she drinks. Studies have also shown that a sow will increase her water consumption with improved piglet performance and milk intake (Kruse et al., 2011). An increase of 290 grams at weaning may help improve the number of pigs over the weight range target to help reduce the number of hold backs.

In the nursery, acidifying water has proven to have many benefits. The natural pH levels in the stomach and small intestines are low, and acidifying water will reduce bacterial growth and help improve protein digestion and improve the animals gut health (Busser et al., 2011). The first week post-weaning is a critical time in the development of the pig’s digestive physiology. Pigs are no longer protected by lactogenic immunity and are faced with new bacterial pathogens. Acidifying water can help reduce the pH of contents in the digestive tract to help fight off and reduce bacteria from colonizing and affecting the health of the pig (Walsh et al., 2012).

Over the span of several years, a group of historic closeouts were used to compare three trials after the installation of TWC using both Ms Schippers DioClean and Goldmix pH. Water pH was reduced to 3.8. These pigs on average spent 36 days in the nursery entering at an average of 7.89 kg on TWC and 7.14 kg with previous closeouts. By the end of the six weeks in the nursery, exit weights of pigs on TWC were 23.67 kg versus 21.37 kg. Other performance targets that were improved included improved average daily gain, higher feed intake, lower FCR and a lower cost/ kg gain (Figure 2). Overall, using TWC resulted in saving approximately $0.23/ pig in the nursery.

Figure 2. Cost/ Kg ($) Gain for TWC vs. Barn Water in the Nursery For more information on using To0.81 tal Water Care to improve water quality in your facility, please contact Ronald 0.80 Van de Bruinhorst, HyCare Specialist 0.79 with Farmers Farmacy: 519-317-5586, 0.78 ronaldv@farmersfarmacy.com n 0.77 0.76 Escobar, Jeffery. 2013. Blended organic acids delivered via water: blended organic acids improve productive performance in 0.75 sows and pigs. Feedstuffs. September p.18-19.

0.74 Kruse S, Traulsen I, Krieter J. 2011. Analysis of water, feed intake and performance of lactating sows. Livest Sci. 135;(2):177-183.

Barn Water TWC Seynaeve, M., DeWilde, R., Janssens, G., DeSmet, B. 1996. The influence of dietary salt level on water consumption, farrowing, and reproductive performance of lactating sows. J. Anim. Sci. 74;(5): 1047–1055.

Busser, EV., DeWulf, J., De Zutter, L et al. 2011. Effect of administration of organic acids in drinking water on faecal shedding of E. coli performance parameters and health in nursery pigs. Vet J. 188; 184-188.

Walsh, M.C., Rostagno, M.H., Gardiner, G.E., Sutton, A.L., Richert, B.T., and Radcliffe, J.S. 2012. Controlling Salmonella infection in weanling pigs through water delivery of direct-fed microbials or organic acids. Part I: Effects on growth performance, microbial populations, and immune status. J. Anim. Sci. 90;(1): 261-271.

Swine Grist KNOWING YOUR NUMBERS - LOOKING AT TRIAL COMPARISONS

by: VICTORIA SEIP

S

ince the beginning of the new year, we have conducted several feed trials looking at different budgeting techniques, comparing current feeding regimes to new budgets in order to improve performance.

Knowing your performance is critical to maintaining and developing goals and having a realistic idea of where production targets could go. We have had many success stories since the new year and want to share some of those results with you.

A side by side comparison of a Grand Valley Fortifiers (GVF) feed budget versus Competitor 1 was done in the nursery. The farm fed one of Grand Valley’s budgets based on the expertise and guidance of one of our swine specialists trying to mimic their current feeding regime.

The trial was evenly distributed based on the number of animals on each program, number of days, weaning age and weight. By the end of the 41 days spent in the nursery, the GVF fed pigs had outperformed Competitor 1 by an additional 2.87 kg. Gain was not only improved but feed conversion and the feed cost per kilogram gain was $0.13 lower on the GVF program. Average daily gain over the 41 days in the nursery was 72 g/d higher on the GVF program. By looking at the current feeder pig price of ~$2.80/kg, the value of weight over feed per pig was $7.45 more for pigs on the GVF budget. Overall this trial was a great success and showed how valuable doing side by side trials can be to not only know your numbers but benefit from new opportunities.

Over the last 10 months we have been looking at creep feeding and creep feed intakes. We have received some very valuable information on what to expect for intakes. Although we determined that piglets don’t necessarily eat as much as we expect while on the sow, creep feeding has many benefits including improving the physiology and environment of the gastrointestinal tract and helping with the transition from liquid to solid feed. At 10 days of age, GVF’s Nature’s Blend® #2 starter pellet was fed to litters against Competitor 2’s creep feed. Parity, number of litters and weights were evenly distributed among treatments. Litters were weighted at birth, 10 days of age and at weaning. Creep feed was measured each day and divided up from day 10-17 and day 17-26 (weaning). As expected, creep feed intake more than doubled for the second week of feeding.

The litters eating the GVF creep ate 103g more creep than Competitor 2. At weaning we saw minimal difference in weaning weight, however we wanted to follow these pigs through the nursery to see if additional solid feed intake during the neonate period would improve nursery performance. At the end of the first 14 days in the nursery, pigs that were fed the GVF Natures Blend® #2 were 640g heavier, had an average daily gain that was 48 g/d higher and lower feed conversion. Feed cost per kilogram gain in the first 14 days was $0.09 less per pig. These pigs also finished their second phase feed more quickly than pigs fed Competitor 2’s creep.

When looking at overall nursery performance, pigs that were fed the GVF Nature’s Blend® #2 creep feed for 14 days in the farrowing crate and 3 days post weaning were 1.73 kg heavier, gained 47 g/d more over the course of 35 days and had a lower feed conversion and cost saving’s of $0.05 per kg gain. Since both groups of pigs were fed the Competitor 2 supplied feed throughout the nursery period, this trial indicates once again the lifetime performance impact of the amount of and type of dry feed that piglets consume during the first few weeks of their lives.

Knowing your numbers can help add value by identifying ways to make your operation more profitable by trying different feed budgets.

This will help tighten up production targets and outcomes in order to keep more money in your pocket. n

GVF’S SWINE & POULTRY TEAM IS EXPANDING TO BETTER SERVE OUR CUSTOMERS

G

rand Valley Fortifiers wants to formally introduce our two newest members of our swine and poultry team, Adam Totafurno and Kayla Silva.

Adam joined Grand Valley Fortifiers back in November of 2017. Adam obtained both his B.Sc. (Agriculture) and M.Sc. (Monogastric Nutrition) from the University of Guelph, studying under Dr. Kees de Lange. His Masters focused on compensatory growth in newly weaned pigs and whether or not intake restriction (amino acids specifically) during the early nursery will lead to accelerated growth beyond that of an un-restricted animal, thereby achieving the same weight and body composition in the same amount of time as an un-restricted animal. His research demonstrated that newly weaned pigs, previously fed a diet limited in dietary lysine for a 3 week period, followed by a diet adequate in dietary lysine, could achieve full compensatory growth by the end of the nursery period. However, he cautioned that further research is still required to determine if the same compensatory growth can be achieved under a disease challenge on a commercial operation. Besides formulation, Adam’s primary responsibilities at Grand Valley Fortifiers focus heavily around ingredient quality both at GVF and on-farm. He is in charge of sample submission, managing our ingredient database and QA/QC program and will be assuming the role of HACCP coordinator for GVF. Adam currently assists producers in maximizing their efficiencies, by providing on-farm mixer validation services, and in the very near future, will be providing the service of on-farm “real-time” sample analyses, including particle size, through the use of a mobile NIR reader.

Kayla Silva is our most recent hire on the monogastric nutrition team, starting with GVF in December 2018. Kayla too attended the University of Guelph and completed her undergraduate degree in Agriculture and Animal Science and her Masters in Monogastric Nutrition. Her nutritional studies during her undergrad at Guelph and her introduction to Dr. Kees de Lange, were instrumental to her pursuing her Masters in monogastric nutrition with Dr. Kees de Lange.

Kayla’s thesis examined the importance of non-essential amino acids in low crude protein diets and their effect on growth performance and collagen abundance in nursery pigs. Low crude protein diets supplemented with crystalline amino acids reduce the concentration of nonessential amino acids and nitrogen in the diet, which could negatively impact growth and reduce the efficiency of metabolic processes beyond growth performance, such as collagen abundance. She found that when diets were supplemented with non-essential amino acids, collagen abundance was similar to a conventional corn and soybean meal diet meaning that non-essential amino acids should be considered when formulating low crude protein diets. Kayla’s role at GVF includes on-farm ration formulations as well as formulations for our customers through our feed mill partners. Her responsibilities also include planning and coordinating our university and commercial swine research trials. Most recently, Kayla will be specializing in on-farm nursery nutrition, health and welfare as she assumes the role of nursery feed specialist for Canada, an extension of Primary Diets out of the UK. We hope you have the opportunity to meet and work with Adam and Kayla in the near future. n

for tifiednutritionltd.com

WHAT’S ALL THE FUSS ABOUT DRYING POWDERS?

by: ARIAN DE BEKKER Business Development Manager, Farmers Farmacy®

D

rying powders have been on the market for many years and we find them in many different types and styles. Depending on the farm and how a drying powder is used we see anything from potato starch to lime to calcium carbonate and many variants in-between. This results in great variation in the degree of effectiveness, pricing levels and responses on animals and on the person applying the product.

DryCare and DryCare Plus are calcium carbonate based powders with a weight of 25kg per bag. Aside from the carefully selected grades of calcium carbonate, DryCare contains kaolin minerals, aloe, a rich mixture of plant extracts, essential oils (Eucalyptus, lemon, and laurel), organic salts, and Yucca extract, which are all natural ingredients selected to offer very high moisture absorption and dermatological advantages.

The all-natural components of DryCare, especially the Aloe Vera and essential oils, are a big plus for piglets’ skin, respiratory and intestinal tracts. Often barn staff resent the proper usage of a drying powder because it plugs their nostrils, creates sore eyes and throats. DryCare and DryCare Plus do none of this. An added benefit to these powders is their weight which keeps them from being overly dusty during application.

“When using DryCare or DryCare Plus I like to refer to it as both hygiene powder and drying powder. For the pigs it is all about drying and hygiene and we aim to achieve both by using DryCare.”

DryCare and DryCare Plus both have the same main ingredients, however DryCare Plus has a small amount of additional disinfecting powder. The powder, called Kiemkill, is the European equivalent of Virkon S. Kiemkill has been carefully blended in at a 1% inclusion rate, so each 25kg bag of DryCare Plus contains 250g of Kiemkill. The combination of Kiemkill with a superior drying agent will significantly restrict the growth of bacteria which require a moist environment to grow and thrive. As a result, DryCare Plus greatly reduces any disease pressures present in a barn.

DryCare and DryCare Plus can also be rubbed onto piglets the moment they are born to prevent loss of body temperature. Dr. Ross Kiehne, DVM, and staff at the Swine Vet Center in St. Peter, MN wrote a list of successful farrowing tips which includes the following statement: “make sure you warm up and dry off all piglets. Realize pigs are born wet and cold. Use hot boxes and drying powder”. Application of DryCare on newly born piglets can be done by hand through a generous rubbing of the powder over the wet body of the newborn piglet, or by placing the piglet into a pail and covering it all over in DryCare. This technique will likely result in less wastage. You can then place the piglet near the sow’s teat and allow for earlier colostrum intake. We also recommend a nice layer of DryCare Plus on the heat pad in the farrowing pen as this really helps provide a clean, comfortable environment for the piglets to walk through and sleep on.

Another great use is to cover piglets in DryCare or DryCare Plus during cross-fostering. The neutralized odor will aid in the acceptance of “foreign” piglets by the sow.

Spreading DryCare Plus in larger areas such as an entire nursery, or grow-finish room is highly recommended. After cleaning and disinfecting, you can fill a pail with DryCare Plus, place the suction end of a leaf blower in the pail and starting at the back of the room walk backwards, blowing the hygiene powder over all the walls, floors and pen dividers.

This is quick, easy and very effective way to create a clean, dry, hygienic environment for the new arrivals.

DryCare and DryCare Plus are outstanding moisture absorbers, and both will take on more water than any other drying powder on the market. This fact combined with a fresh scent and disinfectant nature of DryCare Plus makes these drying powders the best options on the market. If you haven’t tried DryCare or DryCare Plus I encourage you to call Farmers Farmacy and give it a try on your farm. Farmers Farmacy service staff can be reached at 1-866-527-6229. n

MOULDS AND MYCOTOXINS IN STORED CORN

by: DR. MARTIN CLUNIES PhD., Monogastric Nutritionist, Grand Valley Fortifiers Ltd.

T

he 2018 corn crop will go down in history as one of the most challenging crops for Ontario pork producers to feed. With an average vomitoxin level of 3.8 ppm ranging up to 13ppm (GVF sample database), feeding this corn crop to swine has resulted in challenges with reduced feed intakes. With the spring/early summer rally in pork prices, producers are determined to ship as many hogs as possible in the near future and capture the high pork prices we’re currently enjoying.

As the warmer temperatures approach, producers have expressed concern with the typical reduction in feed intake encountered as a result of prolonged grain storage. With increased temperatures and more aerobic conditions in grain bins, corn begins to mould often with the appearance of more blackened kernels. Pigs are reluctant to consume this “end of bin” grain, resulting in lower feed intakes and longer days to market. This normal issue combined with the high vomitoxin levels found in last year’s crop will likely compound and result in reduced feed intake during a time when shortening days to market and increasing the number of hogs shipped is desired.

Thankfully, there are several options to help with this scenario. Choosing the correct combination of feed additives which 1) control the end storage moulds and 2) help manage mycotoxins, will provide the greatest benefit when optimizing pig performance and reducing days to market. Most feed additives do not have this duality of function, with acids often being used to control mould growth and enzymes/probiotics or binders bettering the effects of the toxins to different degrees.

If you are battling with this challenge we recommend speaking with your nutritionist or giving our Swine Nutrition Group a call to help to determine the best solution for your situation. We are happy to help! n

FoRTIFIED BBq MeETINGS Tuesday, August 13 | 3:00pm - 8:00pm Brandon, MB: Royal Canadian Legion Brandon Branch #3

Wednesday, August 14 | 3:00pm - 8:00pm Please RSVP to your Starbuck, MB: Starbuck Community Hall sales representative Thursday, August 15 | 3:00pm - 8:00pm

by August 5th, 2019 or call: 204-571-6650 Darlingford, MB: Darlingford Community Hall

Thought for the Day “Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God.” - Heb. 6:7