scholarly journals Evaluation of on-farm indicators of gilt reproductive performance potential at 21 days of age1

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kayla M Mills ◽  
Allan P Schinckel ◽  
Jebadiah G Stevens ◽  
Theresa M Casey ◽  
Kara R Stewart
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
High Fertility ◽  
Swine Production ◽  
Performance Potential ◽  
Selection Decisions ◽  
Binomial Regression ◽  
On Farm

Abstract Selection of replacements for the sow herd is one of the most important facets in swine production. Although our current methods of selection are effective, there is still a large amount of variation in sow reproductive performance traits such as pigs per sow per year (PSY). Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine if on-farm phenotypic traits at 21 d postnatal (PN) or perinatal environmental factors could predict sow reproductive performance. Data were prospectively collected from 2,146 gilts born on a commercial sow production facility and included birth and weaning weights, vulva length and width at 21 d PN, birth and nursing litter size, days nursed, average daily gain from birth to weaning, and age at first estrus. Of the initial animals, 400 (17%) were selected for the sow herd, 353 remained after removal of animals culled for non-reproductive reasons. Animals were assigned to 1 of 5 reproductive performance categories based on observation of estrus or pigs per sow per year (PSY) across two farrowings: High Fertility (HF; 23%; n = 82; ≥26 PSY), Middle Fertility (MF2; 12%; n = 43; 20–25 PSY), Low Fertility (MF3; 15%; n = 54; <20 PSY), Infertile-Estrus (IFe; 10%; n = 36; estrus, no pregnancy), and Infertile-No Estrus (IFno; 39%; n = 138; no estrus, no pregnancy). Generalized linear model analysis indicated vulva width (P = 0.03) was related to PSY, however, it only explained 1.5% of the total variation in PSY. To determine if preweaning variables were predictive of gilt fertility outcome, animals were grouped as those that became pregnant (n = 179) or not (n = 174). Vulva width tended to be greater in fertile animals versus infertile (P = 0.07). Binomial regression analysis revealed a positive relationship between vulva width and gilt fertility, however, this relationship is not strong enough to make sow herd selection decisions.

ON-FARM FORESTRY DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS FOR NORTHLAND

1986 ◽  
pp. 27-32
Author(s):  
J.S. Clark
Keyword(s):  
Joint Ventures ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
High Fertility ◽  
Financial Returns ◽  
Farm Forestry ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Financial Position ◽  
On Farm

Agroforests and woodlots offer Northland hill country farmers investment and diversification opportunities. Agroforests have less effect on the "whole farm" financial position than woodlots, especially where a progressive planting regime is adopted and where no further borrowing is required. Establishment and tending costs for agro-forests are lower, and returns come much sooner. The proven opportunity for continued grazing under trees established in this manner, apart from a short post-planting period, further enhances the agroforesty option. Even where there is reluctance on a farmer's part to plant trees on high fertility land, the expected financial returns from agroforests on low and medium fertility land will increase the overall long-term profitability and flexibility of the whole farming operation. Woodlots may be more appropriate on low fertility areas where weed reversion is likely. Joint ventures may be worth considering where farm finances are a limited factor. Keywords: On-farm forestry development, Northland hill country, agroforestry, woodlots, diversification, joint ventures, progressive planting regimes, grazing availability.

On-farm performance of Bunaji (White Fulani) cattle 2. Growth, reproductive performance, milk offtake and mortality

1993 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. O. Rege ◽  
R. R. von Kaufmann ◽  
W. N. M. Mwenya ◽  
E. O. Otchere ◽  
R. I. Mani
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
Age At First Calving ◽  
Growth And Survival ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Daily Milk

AbstractAn on-farm study was conducted over a 12-year period (1979 through 1990) at four locations in the subhumid zone of Nigeria to estimate levels of performance of Bunaji cattle and to examine factors affecting productivity in these production systems. Average weight at birth, at 9 months and at 12 months were 19·6 kg, 76·2 kg and 93·1 kg, respectively. Average daily gain between birth and 9 months was 211 g/day. The corresponding figure between 9 months and 12 months was 176 g/day. Cumulative calf mortality at 9 months and at 12 months were proportionately 0·14 and 0·15, respectively. Mean age at first calving was 62·5 months while interval between consecutive calvings averaged 22·5 months. Mean daily milk offtake was 510 ml. Mean length of offtake period varied substantially between locations ranging from 339 days in Kurmin Biri to 425 days in Madauchi. Lactation milk offtake was estimated at between 200 and 260 I. Peri-urban Madauchi had the highest daily milk offtake, the longest milk extraction period but the poorest calf growth and survival rates. Locations with low milk offtake had superior calf performance both in terms of growth and survival. Calves born in late wet and early dry seasons had superior growth and survival rates. Most calvings occurred in the dry season mainly because of the effect of season on conception rates. There was a tendency towards improved productivity on a per-animal basis over the years. This ivas so for age at first calving, calving interval, calf survival and milk offtake. Improved reproductive performance provided opportunity for higher offtakes. However, growth between 9 months and 12 months and weight at 12 months declined during the study period.

scholarly journals Dynamic modeling of nutrient use and individual requirements of lactating sows1

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (7) ◽  
pp. 2822-2836 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raphaël Gauthier ◽  
Christine Largouët ◽  
Charlotte Gaillard ◽  
Laetitia Cloutier ◽  
Frédéric Guay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Individual Performance ◽  
Maintenance Cost ◽  
Nutrient Requirements ◽  
Modeling Approach ◽  
Ex Post ◽  
Nutrient Use ◽  
The Mean ◽  
On Farm

AbstractNutrient requirements of sows during lactation are related mainly to their milk yield and feed intake, and vary greatly among individuals. In practice, nutrient requirements are generally determined at the population level based on average performance. The objective of the present modeling approach was to explore the variability in nutrient requirements among sows by combining current knowledge about nutrient use with on-farm data available on sows at farrowing [parity, BW, backfat thickness (BT)] and their individual performance (litter size, litter average daily gain, daily sow feed intake) to estimate nutrient requirements. The approach was tested on a database of 1,450 lactations from 2 farms. The effects of farm (A, B), week of lactation (W1: week 1, W2: week 2, W3+: week 3 and beyond), and parity (P1: 1, P2: 2, P3+: 3 and beyond) on sow performance and their nutrient requirements were evaluated. The mean daily ME requirement was strongly correlated with litter growth (R2 = 0.95; P < 0.001) and varied slightly according to sow BW, which influenced the maintenance cost. The mean daily standardized ileal digestible (SID) lysine requirement was influenced by farm, week of lactation, and parity. Variability in SID lysine requirement per kg feed was related mainly to feed intake (R2 = 0.51; P < 0.001) and, to a smaller extent, litter growth (R2 = 0.27; P < 0.001). It was lowest in W1 (7.0 g/kg), greatest in W2 (7.9 g/kg), and intermediate in W3+ (7.5 g/kg; P < 0.001) because milk production increased faster than feed intake capacity did. It was lower for P3+ (6.7 g/kg) and P2 sows (7.3 g/kg) than P1 sows (8.3 g/kg) due to the greater feed intake of multiparous sows. The SID lysine requirement per kg of feed was met for 80% of sows when supplies were 112 and 120% of the mean population requirement on farm A and B, respectively, indicating higher variability in requirements on farm B. Other amino acid and mineral requirements were influenced in the same way as SID lysine. The present modeling approach allows to capture individual variability in the performance of sows and litters according to farm, stage of lactation, and parity. It is an initial step in the development of new types of models able to process historical farm data (e.g., for ex post assessment of nutrient requirements) and real-time data (e.g., to control precision feeding).

Comparison of Prevalence, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Occurrence of Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella in Antimicrobial-Free and Conventional Pig Production

2006 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 743-748 ◽  
Author(s):  
WONDWOSSEN A. GEBREYES ◽  
SIDDHARTHA THAKUR ◽  
W. E. MORGAN MORROW
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Resistance Pattern ◽  
Swine Production ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Conventional Farms ◽  
Resistance Patterns ◽  
Conventional Systems ◽  
On Farm

Conventional swine production evolved to routinely use antimicrobials, and common occurrence of antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella has been reported. There is a paucity of information on the antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella in swine production in the absence of antimicrobial selective pressure. Therefore, we compared the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella isolated from antimicrobial-free and conventional production systems. A total of 889 pigs and 743 carcasses were sampled in the study. Salmonella prevalence was significantly higher among the antimicrobial-free systems (15.2%) than the conventional systems (4.2%) (odds ratio [OR] = 4.23; P &lt; 0.05). Antimicrobial resistance was detected against 10 of the 12 antimicrobials tested. The highest frequency of resistance was found against tetracycline (80%), followed by streptomycin (43.4%) and sulfamethoxazole (36%). Frequency of resistance to most classes of antimicrobials (except tetracycline) was significantly higher among conventional farms than antimicrobial-free farms, with ORs ranging from 2.84 for chloramphenicol to 23.22 for kanamycin at the on-farm level. A total of 28 antimicrobial resistance patterns were detected. A resistance pattern with streptomycin, sulfamethoxazole, and tetracycline (n = 130) was the most common multidrug resistance pattern. There was no significant difference in the proportion of isolates with this pattern between the conventional (19.5%) and the antimicrobial-free systems (18%) (OR = 1.8; P &gt; 0.05). A pentaresistance pattern with ampicillin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulfamethoxazole, and tetracycline was strongly associated with antimicrobial-free groups (OR = 5.4; P = 0.01). While showing the higher likelihood of finding antimicrobial resistance among conventional herds, this study also implies that specific multidrug-resistant strains may occur on antimicrobial-free farms. A longitudinal study with a representative sample size is needed to reach more conclusive results of the associations detected in this study.

Comparing infertility-related stress in high fertility and low fertility countries

2021 ◽  
pp. 100653
Author(s):  
Emily A. Groene ◽  
Cyrialis Mutabuzi ◽  
Dickson Chinunje ◽  
Ester Matson Shango ◽  
Shalini Kulasingam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Fertility ◽  
High Fertility ◽  
Related Stress

scholarly journals Effect of Diet on Replacement Beef Heifer Growth and Reproductive Performance

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 26
Author(s):  
Janice G. P. Bowman ◽  
Bok F. Sowell
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Roller Mill ◽  
Feed Cost ◽  
Alfalfa Hay ◽  
Grass Hay ◽  
Beef Heifer ◽  
Daily Gain

One hundred-one crossbred beef heifers (average weight 256.1 kg) were used to evaluate the effects of diet during an 84-day period, on growth and reproductive performance. The four treatments were: 1) grass hay; 2) grass hay + 0.9 kg/day barley; 3) grass hay + 1.8 kg/day barley; and 4) alfalfa hay. Heifers were assigned randomly to 12 pens by weight (three pens/treatment). Prior to feeding, barley was cracked through a roller-mill. Heifers consuming alfalfa hay or grass hay + 1.8 kg barley gained 39% faster (0.68 and 0.74 kg/day, respectively; P = 0.01) than heifers consuming grass hay alone (0.51 kg/day). Heifers consuming grass hay + 0.9 kg barley were intermediate in average daily gain (ADG; 0.63 kg/day). Hay intake was 16% greater (P < 0.10) by heifers consuming alfalfa hay, grass hay, and grass hay + 0.9 kg barley compared with those consuming grass hay + 1.8 kg barley (average 8.1 vs 7.0 kg/day). Using costs (USD) of $0.066/kg, $0.099/kg, and $0.0935/kg for grass hay, alfalfa hay, and barley, respectively, feed cost/day was greatest (P < 0.01) for alfalfa hay ($0.81/day), intermediate for the grass hay + barley diets (average $0.63/day), and lowest for grass hay ($0.53/day). Cost/kg gain was less (P < 0.10) for grass hay + 1.8 kg barley compared with alfalfa hay. No diet differences (P > 0.70) were found in reproductive performance of the heifers. Feeding replacement heifers alfalfa hay resulted in performance equivalent to feeding grass hay + 1.8 kg barley, but the alfalfa hay diet had a higher cost.

scholarly journals SUATU PENDEKATAN ANALISIS MULTIVARIAT TENTANG TINGKAT KELAHIRAN PADA BEBERAPA KELOMPOK DAN ETNIS WANITA PERNAH KAWIN DI IRIAN JAYA

Populasi ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pieter J. Soumokil
Keyword(s):  
Rural Women ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Women ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Dominant Factor ◽  
High Fertility ◽  
Irian Jaya ◽  
Lower Fertility

It has been argued by many demographers that socio economic development with its associated fundamental changes in the role of women and the value of children is the dominant factor in the transition from high to low fertility. Research in less developed countries has found lower fertility levels in urban population compared to rural population. It was therefore assumed that the modernizing role of urbanlife helped bring about a decline infertility levels.This study in Irian Jaya, however, convincingly shows that fertility of urban women in Irian Jaya is higher than that of rural women. This differential infertility in favour of urban women in Irian Jaya appears to be real and not a result of underreporting of total live births in rural areas.The reasons for lower fertility in the rural areas in IrianJaya remain unknown, and more research is therefore needed. However, this study strongly suggests that the traditional system of swidden agricultyure in Irian Jaya, which places a highvalue on the labour input of women, may play a major role in constraining fertility in rural area of this province. On the other hand, high fertility in urban areas takes place because urbanwomen have their first birth earlier thanwomen inthe rural areas.

scholarly journals Influences of environment on the development and lifetime reproductive performance in domestic rabbit females

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 123 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Savietto ◽  
E. Martínez-Paredes ◽  
J.J. Pascual
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Adult Life ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Body Development ◽  
Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease ◽  
Two Factors ◽  
Haemorrhagic Disease ◽  
Access To Food ◽  
Daily Gain

<p class="MDPI18keywords">Environmental insults of different nature and intensity, such as fluctuation in the air temperature, which can affect access to food, its quality and diseases, are a reality in any livestock system. This is much more important when the insults occur in early life, conditioning the development and adult life of animals. In ecology, for instance, it is widely accepted that high quality offspring are more reactive against predators, occupy better territories and find more mates, resulting in longer lives and greater fitness. It is also a given that adults exposed to famine or disease as juveniles have shorter lives and produce fewer offspring. To determine whether the environment influences the development and lifetime reproductive performance of rabbit females, we designed an experiment combining two factors: nest and pubescent development. Nest development was measured by recording the average daily gain of 864 females during suckling and during their pubescent life (63 to 184 d old), and body development was conditioned by providing animals a high-energy control (C) or a fibre-rich (F) diet. However, in the course of the study, 191 of the 864 pubescent females were exposed to rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD). This unexpected environmental insult was considered as a third experimental factor influencing the reproductive performance of rabbit females. Contrary to expectation, fast suckling gain impairs reproductive lifespan, resulting in fewer newborn kits produced in a female lifetime. Although females on diet F lived 37 d longer than females on diet C, this difference was only perceived in their pubescent life. In addition, the exposure to RHD interacted with suckling gain (SG). Exposed females with a fast SG produced more kits as adults, but in the absence of the virus, high SG females produced fewer newborn kits. These results open new insights into the management of future breeders during nesting and pubescent life.</p>

scholarly journals FIELD EVALUATION OF ESTRUS SYNCHRONIZATION AND PREGNANCY DETECTION USING ULTRASONOGRAPHY TO THE LOCAL AWASSI EWES FOR SHEEP OWNERS IN KANAAN DISTRICT- DIYALA PROVINCE

2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Al-Jubouri & Hobi
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Field Evaluation ◽  
High Accuracy ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Estrus Synchronization ◽  
Transabdominal Ultrasonography ◽  
Training Courses ◽  
Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Unconventional Methods

 The objective of this study was to carry out an on-farm experiment in sheep owner farms in Kanaan district for the period from 7th Feb. 2015 to 27th Mar. 2015 and to identify the unconventional methods in controlling the reproduction in sheep and increase their productivity using 45 local Awassi ewes, randomly selected from three sheep owners (15 ewes / owner). Treatment group (10 ewes/ owner) were treated with a vaginal sponges containing 20 mg fluorogestone acetate (FGA) inserted for 10 days, followed by I.M. injection of 500 IU equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG), while 5 ewes / owner were regarded as control group without any treatment. Estrus was observed for all ewes for 5 days post withdrawal of sponges. Ewes that showed estrus were mated by rams in their flocks, thereafter, pregnancy detection was conducted at days 35-37 post- mating using transabdominal ultrasonography. A questionnaire involved 20 sheep owners and a demonstrative field day was conducted for owners contributed in the experiment, and others from the region of study to explain the importance and results of the experiment. The results showed the appearance of estrus in all ewes 100% within three days after the withdrawal of sponges. Pregnancy rate of  85.71% at days 35-37 of mating. The questionnaire showed there is an urgent need of knowledge for owners to find out the importance of controlling the reproductive cycle in sheep using vaginal sponges. Also, there were a correlation between the need of knowledge for sheep owners with (educational level for most of them, herd sizes, income from breeding, training courses and other activities in the fields of breeding and reproduction of sheep). In conclusion, the technology of estrus synchronization has an important role to improve reproductive performance of sheep and pregnancy could be detected through transabdominal ultrasonography at 35-37 days with high accuracy as well as there is great desire for the most owner to conduct estrus synchronization technique and to take care their birth of herds simultaneously.

scholarly journals The Effect of Feeding Liquid or Dry Creep Feed on Growth Performance, Feed Disappearance, Enzyme Activity and Number of Eaters in Suckling Piglets

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 3144
Author(s):  
Nanna Byrgesen ◽  
Johannes Gulmann Madsen ◽  
Christina Larsen ◽  
Niels Jørgen Kjeldsen ◽  
Malene Skovsted Cilieborg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Proximal Part ◽  
Suckling Period ◽  
Creep Feed ◽  
Suckling Piglets ◽  
Dietary Treatments ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Daily Gain ◽  
Effect Of Feeding

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of two dietary treatments (liquid creep feed (LCF) and dry creep feed (DCF)) offered during the suckling period on feed disappearance, number of eaters, and intestinal enzymatic development at weaning in an on-farm study with 347 piglets. Piglets were allocated to either the DCF or LCF treatment from day 10 to day 24 postpartum for 9 h a day. Red ferric oxide (1%) was added to the diet to categorize piglets into eating categories (good eaters, moderate eaters, or non-eaters) via faecal swabs. At weaning, 40 piglets were sampled for intestinal enzymatic development. The LCF treatment increased the dry matter disappearance from day 10–18 (p < 0.001). The percentage of good eaters, moderate eaters and non-eaters did not differ between treatments (p > 0.05). The DCF pigs displayed greater average daily gain (ADG) pre-weaning (p = 0.024), and a greater body weight (BW) at day 61 (p < 0.001). The activity of lactase, maltase and sucrase in the proximal part of the small intestine were greatest (p < 0.001) in the DCF pigs.

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